Pancakes have been a part of human diet for as long as anyone can remember. They may have different names in different parts of the world and numerous variations, but they’re among the world’s most cherished foods. They’re easy to make, filling, and delicious. However, if you truly want to enjoy your pancakes, you simply have to add some pancake syrup on top.
While pancake syrups were carefully concocted in ancient times, it wasn’t until 1889 that one was available as a ready-mix. Aunt Jemima was the brand that brought ready-mix pancake syrup to the fore and since then, a number of other brands came up with delightful concoctions that helped to embellish pancakes and enhance their taste.
Today, choosing a pancake syrup is a difficult affair, as there are so many brands and flavors to choose from. In this review, we’ve shortlisted the best pancake syrups that money can buy in 2021.
Best Tasting Pancake Syrup in 2021
From buttery flavors to fruity ones, we’ll take you through an array of syrups from reputed brands so that you can craft the perfect pancake whenever you want. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it!
[amazon bestseller=”Pancake Syrup” items=”6″ template=”list”]Mrs. Butterworth’s Original Syrup
[amazon box=”B0057FT57W” template=”horizontal”]Mrs. Butterworth’s is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to pancake mixes and syrups. It’s an American brand owned by packaged foods company Conagra Brands Inc. that’s based in Chicago, Illinois. The brand introduced its pancake syrup way back in 1961 and to this day, it remains one of the most favorite syrups for pancake enthusiasts. While the syrup is undoubtedly the star of the show because of its buttery texture and its maple flavor that also has a hint of honey, the bottle is also likely to impress you.
Even though the manufacturers switched from glass bottles to plastic bottles in 1999 to prevent breakages arising from accidents, the iconic matronly woman shape of the bottles has stayed the same. All in all, pancake syrups don’t get much better than Mrs. Butterworth’s Original Syrup. If you’d like your syrup more buttery than usual, you could also try the Extra Buttery variant. There’s also a Sugar Free syrup available for all the calorie-conscious pancake lovers out there.
Shoprite Pancake Syrup
Food retailers ShopRite offer their very own take on pancake syrups. However, the results are pretty disappointing. To put it simply, this pancake syrup is one of the most generic and artificial syrups out there and even though it adds some sugary sweetness to pancakes, there are no distinct flavors to speak of. Even the sugary sweetness is limited, so it’s a product that’s bound to disappoint even the most ardent sweet lovers.
While it’s definitely a quick fix and something of a last resort when nothing else is available, if you’re truly on the lookout for a pancake syrup that offers something more than sugar, it’s best to skip this and look for something else.
Dutch Gold Organic Pure Maple Syrup
Dutch Gold Honey, Inc. is a well-known honey producer and distributor and the company is best known for extracting honey from a wide variety of sources such as clover, orange blossom, honey bears, wild flowers, buckwheat, alfalfa, blueberry, and eucalyptus. It also produces numerous organic maple honey syrups.
Pure maple syrup is a great option for those looking for an all-natural pancake syrup, but be warned, it’s super sweet! One can’t help but think that they added some extra sugar to add to the natural sweetness. It’s water-like consistency has faced criticism as well and if you prefer something thicker, you should definitely steer clear of this. Its bitter aftertaste can feel a bit strange too. However, it’s not unnatural for an all-natural product to have a bitter, almost herbal aftertaste.
Read also: Maple Syrup vs Pancake Syrup
Log Cabin Original Syrup
[amazon box=”B0045TPS22″ template=”horizontal”]Log Cabin is the second Conagra Brands-owned pancake syrup brand to feature in this review, but the company was well-known much before its 2018 acquisition by Conagra Brands. It was way back in 1887 when Log Cabin syrup was introduced to the masses, having been formulated by Patrick James Towle, a Minnesota-based grocer. The brand name was a homage to Abraham Lincoln, the grocer’s hero, who had spent much of his childhood years living inside a log cabin.
Well, enough with the history lesson! Let’s turn our attention now to the syrup itself. In terms of appearance, it’s quite a deep and dark syrup. Its consistency is full-bodied and its flavor has elements of walnut and burnt sugar. Its smell is quite authentic as well and manages to give off a really nice maple vibe. The best thing about the Log Cabin Original Syrup is that the makers removed high-fructose corn syrup from the concoction some time ago, which means that it’s a great option for calorie-conscious people.
See also: 11 Great Corn Syrup Substitutes (in Case You Don’t Have it on Hand)
Kirkland Pure Maple Syrup
If you’re on the lookout for a maple syrup that delivers quality at an affordable price, look no further than the Kirland Pure Maple Syrup. It’s a product that has received rave reviews from critics because of its nice balance between its walnut taste and sweetness.
Its consistency is quite good as well, as it’s not thick and not too watery, and this well-balanced consistency, combined with its distinct flavor, make it one of the most value-for-money pancake syrups that you can buy in 2021.
Blackberry Patch Apple Butter Syrup
Blackberry Patch is one of the most popular pancake syrup brands and while it produces an assortment of syrups of various flavors, its apple butter syrup is its crown jewel. If you’re a lover of really thick pancake syrups, you’d undoubtedly love this ultra-thick syrup.
From a flavor standpoint, the syrup does amazingly well to combine apple and cinnamon flavors, which makes it one of the tastiest pancake syrups out there. You can also feel the tender apple chunks as you let this syrup caress your tongue and taste buds.
Hawaiian Sun Premium Coconut Syrup
[amazon box=”B0199ALJX8″ template=”horizontal”]Hawaiian Sun is a brand that specializes in catering to tropical taste buds by providing a wide range of products such as beverages, candy, and of course, pancake syrup. Its premium coconut syrup is one of the most unique coconut syrups to feature in this review.
If you’re tired of the same old generic sugary and maple-flavored syrups and would like to try something different, you should definitely try this one for its aromatic and velvety coconut-infused goodness.
Woods Cider Mill Cinnamon Cider Syrup
Roasted apples are amazing, especially when they’re topped off with some cinnamon. Now, imagine the same flavor but in a pancake. That’s what you’ll get when you add the Woods Cider Mill Cinnamon Cider Syrup to your pancakes.
This cinnamon and apple-infused syrup is definitely going to take your taste buds on a trip that you won’t forget anytime soon.
Blackberry Patch Strawberry Fig Syrup
This is the second pancake syrup from Blackberry Patch to feature on this list and just as good as the first one. The combination of the sweet and sour strawberry and honeyed fig flavors is delightful to taste.
What’s more? Even though it’s obviously manufactured in a factory, it surprisingly manages to have a homemade taste. It’s the perfect choice if you’re looking for a pancake syrup that’s both sweet and sour.
Stonewall Kitchen Wild Maine Blueberry Syrup
This pancake syrup is made from fresh blueberries and that’s not difficult to tell once you taste this gem of a syrup.
While it may be too sweet for some, one just can’t deny the fact that it’s a really tasty syrup that really enhances pancakes with its authentic blueberry flavor.
Blackberry Patch Raspberry Syrup
The third Blackberry Patch pancake syrup in this review features an authentic raspberry flavor and it has impressed critics and tasters.
However, it’s a syrup that’s not ideal for sweet lovers, as it’s more on the sour side. You can use it for both your pancakes and waffles.
Mystic Hickory Shagbark Syrup
[amazon box=”B008A5H6R2″ template=”horizontal”]If you like your pancake syrup sweet and sour but don’t want it to dominate the taste, the Mystic Hickory Shagbark Syrup would be perfect for you.
Even though its flavor is somewhat understated, its mildness and walnut-infused goodness is sure to leave your taste buds wanting more.
Lyle’s Squeezy Golden Syrup
This syrup is incredibly thick and its golden appearance works incredibly well with any sort of pancake. Its taste is quite buttery too.
It’s quite surprising that the makers managed to incorporate so many qualities considering that the only ingredient used for this is cane syrup.
Smuckers Boysenberry Syrup
The Smuckers Boysenberry syrup is the perfect example of a pancake syrup that doesn’t rely on a ton of sugar to make it sweet.
While it does have a fair amount of sugar, it has double the amount of berries, which is never a bad thing. It’s a great choice for people who love syrups that feature both sugary and fruity sweetness.
Coconut Secret Raw Coconut Nectar
Don’t let the name fool you! Even though the label screams coconut out loud, you aren’t likely to find any authentic coconut taste in this one.
Honey and mild molasses flavors dominate this syrup and while children will be head over heels in love with this one, adults will tend to find it too sticky and sugary for their liking.
Trader Joe’s Short Stack Pancake Syrup
As far as generic pancake syrups go, Trader Joe’s Short Stack pancake syrup is a great option.
However, compared to the rest of the options featured in this review, it definitely falls short, but its affordable pricing is a positive.
Trader Joe’s Maple Syrup
[amazon box=”B00OZ3YRZC” template=”horizontal”]There’s no dearth of maple syrups out there, but many of them have garnered a bad reputation for being too watery. However, that’s certainly not the case with Trader Joe’s maple syrup.
It’s a dark-colored syrup and its incredibly thick too, which makes sure that it sticks to the surface of your waffles and pancakes.
Wholesome Organic Blue Agave Vanilla Flavored Syrup
While the name of this syrup promises something unique and exciting, ultimately, it’s disappointing.
It does have sweetness and all the other things that you’d associate with a generic pancake syrup, but the vanilla bean taste is surprisingly absent.
Shop In Home Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity Strawberry Syrup
Despite the elaborate and descriptive title, this syrup is a disappointment, because essentially, it’s just another pancake syrup that contains too much sugar.
Yet again, we have a pancake syrup that may work for kids. But for picky adults, this one’s a strict no-no.
Michelles Syrup Honey Creme
[amazon box=”B000H864C8″ template=”horizontal”]This is yet another pancake syrup to feature in this review whose name sounds better than the product actually tastes.
While it does have an overpowering maple flavor, it’s sad to say that it’s not authentic at all. It’s very watery too, which makes it a pancake syrup to steer clear of.
Another contender
As there are simply too many pancake syrups on the market, we unfortunately couldn’t include every product in this review. However, in this section, we’d like to mention some names that only missed out by a fraction.
The Whole Foods 365 syrup, Aunt Jemima syrup, Hungry Jack syrup Maple Grove Farm syrup, Maple Gold syrup and McClure’s syrup are some contenders that are worth mentioning.
Additional Taste Evaluation Details
We’ve covered 20 pancake syrups in this review and all of them can be purchased both online and across all national supermarkets. In conclusion, our most highly rated syrups include Mrs. Butterworth’s, Log Cabin, and Trader Joe’s Short Stack Pancake Syrup.
Read more: Best IHOP Pancakes Review 2021
Tips For The Perfect Pancake
THICK OR THIN?
All pancakes are made from a mix that contains eggs, flour, and milk. The mix is used for making a batter that’s cooked in a fry pan which is well-greased. The mix can have numerous variations, which will dictate how thick or thin the pancake turns out to be. For example, for making crepes, the ideal consistency is that of pouring cream and to achieve it, it’s vital that you don’t use self-raising flour. For a thicker batter, you should reduce the amount of milk you use.
A 30-MINUTE TIMEOUT
A lot of people make the mistake of cooking their pancakes immediately after the batter is prepared. However, pancake experts suggest resting the batter for at least half an hour before cooking it. This 30-minute rest allows the starch cells to swell with moisture, which ensures that when they hit the frying pan, they burst. Ultimately, this process results in pancakes becoming light and soft.
CORRECT EQUIPMENT
Cooking a pancake isn’t just about the mix and the batter. The equipment you use is vital as well. For starters, you’d need a non-stick fry pan with a thick foundation. The thickness of the foundation ensures that the batter is heated evenly once it’s on the pan. Uneven heating may lead to some sections of the pancake being burnt, which is definitely something you wouldn’t want. It’s also recommended to have a dedicated frying pan for cooking pancakes. Once you’re done cooking, you shouldn’t wash them. Just use a paper towel to wipe them clean and you’re all set for another great pancake the next time you cook.
FIRST TIME DISASTERS
Getting a pancake right on your first attempt is a tricky affair and you’re more likely to make a mess than get it right, but don’t let that discourage you. There’s a wide variety of elements that you’ve got to pay close attention to, such as how much time it takes for the pan to heat up, along with how much time it takes to get the batter consistency right. And of course, your personal tastes and preferences also matter, such as how thick you’d like your pancake to be. So go ahead and experiment until you find that sweet spot.
BUTTER BABY
Butter plays a vital role in making a pancake and there are numerous ways to melt butter. While most people add a spoon of butter to the pan directly, there’s also an alternative technique that involves melting the butter in a microwave. Once the microwaved butter is all melted, use a brush to apply it on the pan before you pour in that brilliant pancake batter.
MILK VS BUTTERMILK
Milk is one of the most important ingredients for pancake, but it’s not irreplaceable. Buttermilk is a nice alternative to consider, particularly if you like your pancakes soft, tender, and fluffy. As buttermilk has higher acidity levels than regular milk, using it results in the pancakes becoming more light and airy. Calorie-conscious people tend to avoid buttermilk because of the common myth that it’s high in fat. However, the truth is that it only has 2 percent more fat content than regular milk.
WHICH FLOUR?
The type of flour you use can affect how the batter and subsequently, the final pancake, turns out. You should aim for the smoothest possible batter and to achieve it, it’s recommended to sift the dry ingredients prior to the addition of milk and eggs. Also, when it comes to crepes, you’d be better off using plain yogurt. For other variants, self-raising flour is recommended.
WHAT’S ON TOP
A nice topping won’t just make your pancake look unique, but will also enhance its taste. Experiment with maple syrups, berries, ice creams and flavors like stewed fruit, vanilla bean seeds and rose water. Add caramelized nuts and some creamy chocolate sauce as well.
SWEET VS SAVOURY
Pancakes don’t necessarily have to be sweet. You can add chives and black pepper along with grilled salmon or duck as well for a pancake that goes against the grain but still manages to make a positive impression.
COOK NOW, SERVE LATER
Making a pancake is a time-consuming process, so when you’re making one, why make just one? Feel free to create as many pancakes as you’d want and place them in an oven that’s heated to 180°F and that should keep them in perfect shape for several hours.
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