Pancake Syrup Recipe made with just 3 ingredients and no corn syrup. Tastes better than store-bought and comes together fast.

Love syrup? Try my Buttermilk, Vanilla, or Blueberry syrup next!

Overhead image of Pancake Syrup
chelsea

Family Favorite

Ditch the Bottle, Make This Instead!

I’m all for a good ingredient shortcut, but pancake syrup? I can’t do the store-bought stuff. It’s packed with corn syrup and fake flavor that just doesn’t compare to the real thing.

This homemade Pancake Syrup Recipe is a game changer. It takes 15 minutes, uses just 3 simple ingredients, and tastes so much better.

I always have a jar in the fridge because we’re a big breakfast family. Pancakes, waffles, French toast—you name it. And I usually whip it up while the batter is resting. It’s that easy.

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Quick Tip

Pure maple syrup is just boiled-down sap—one ingredient. Pancake syrup is a commercial product made with maple flavoring.

Overhead image of the maple extract used in this recipe

Ingredients

  • Butter: Adds a nice thickness. Use unsalted to control saltiness.
  • Light Brown Sugar: I found that dark brown sugar was too strong.
  • Pure Maple Extract: Imitation isn’t the same. Start small and add more.
  • Salt (optional): Just a small pinch makes a big difference in pancake syrup recipe!
Process shots-- images of the butter, brown sugar, salt, and hot water being added and it all being melted together, then it being removed from heat and the maple extract being added

How To Make A Pancake Syrup Recipe

  1. Add ingredients: Cut the butter into small pieces so it melts faster.
  2. Boil: Keep stirring so the sugar melts smoothly and doesn’t burn.
  3. Simmer: Watch closely so it doesn’t spill over.
  4. Add extract: Take it off the heat, wait 5 minutes, then stir in maple extract.
  5. Serve: This is the best pancake syrup on a Dutch Baby or Crepes!

How Do You Thicken Syrup?

The syrup thickens as it cools. To thin it out, warm it up and add a splash of water.

Overhead image of Pancake Syrup being poured over the pancakes

Storage

To store the pancake syrup, allow it to cool before transferring it into an airtight container, then refrigerate it for 1–2 months.

Ways To Use Homemade Pancake Syrup:

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Homemade Pancake Syrup Recipe

This Pancake Syrup Recipe is sweet, simple, and made without any weird stuff. Just three pantry staples and you’re set.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 and 1/4 cup syrup (20 servings)

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into tablespoons
  • 1 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
  • 1/16 teaspoon salt optional
  • 1/2 cup hot water
  • 1 up to 1-1/2 teaspoons pure maple extract see note 1

Instructions 

  • Add the butter, sugar, salt, and water to a medium pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir occasionally. Once boiling, cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
  • After 1 minute, turn heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, let stand for 5 minutes, then stir in extract, adding to taste (Start with 1 teaspoon—it’s always easy to add more!).

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Maple extract can be found with other baking extracts. I recommend McCormick’s® pure maple extract for the best flavor. Taste and adjust the amount depending on the brand.
Storage: Let syrup cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1–2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.8g | Fat: 2.3g | Cholesterol: 6.1mg | Sodium: 3.1mg | Sugar: 9.7g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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