A practical guide to sugar & sweeteners: which one should you choose?

Walk down the baking aisle of any supermarket and you'll be met with an overwhelming choice of sweeteners. White sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, stevia, erythritol, xylitol, sucralose and more all promise to sweeten your food in different ways.

With so many options, it's easy to wonder if one is healthier, cheaper or simply better than the rest.

The truth is a little less exciting: there isn't a single "best" sweetener. Each one has its own flavour, texture, price and purpose, and the right choice depends on what you're making and what matters most to you.

This guide compares some of the most common sweeteners you'll find in UK supermarkets, helping you decide which one is worth keeping in your cupboard.

First things first: why do recipes use sweeteners?

Sweetness is only part of the story.

In baking especially, sugar can:

• Add flavour.
• Help cakes and biscuits brown.
• Improve texture.
• Retain moisture.
• Extend shelf life.

That means replacing sugar with another sweetener doesn't always produce exactly the same result.

For drinks or porridge, the differences may be small. For baking, they can be much more noticeable.

Understanding this makes choosing the right sweetener much easier.

White sugar

White sugar is still the pantry staple most of us reach for first.

White sugar remains one of the most versatile and affordable options.

It dissolves easily, bakes consistently and has a clean, neutral sweetness that works in almost every recipe.

Best for: baking, tea and coffee, homemade jams, desserts

Pros: inexpensive, easy to find, reliable in recipes

Things to consider: while it's a practical pantry staple, many people choose to use less of it or explore alternatives depending on their personal preferences.

Honey

Honey brings much more than sweetness.

Its floral flavour can add depth to breakfasts, marinades and baking, making it a favourite for recipes where you want sweetness to be part of the flavour rather than simply a background ingredient.

Best for: granola, overnight oats, dressings, marinades, Greek yoghurt

Pros: rich flavour, natural source of sweetness, widely available

Things to consider: honey is usually more expensive than sugar and has a stronger taste, so it isn't always the best choice when you want a neutral flavour.

Maple syrup

Maple syrup offers a distinctive caramel-like flavour that works beautifully with oats, pancakes and roasted vegetables.

Because of its cost, many people choose to use it for flavour rather than as an everyday sweetener.

Best for: pancakes, granola, porridge, salad dressings

Pros: unique flavour, easy to drizzle, great for breakfast recipes

Things to consider: it tends to be one of the more expensive options in the supermarket.

Stevia

Stevia is extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant and is much sweeter than sugar.

Only a very small amount is needed.

Best for: hot drinks, yoghurt, smoothies

Pros: very sweet in small quantities, convenient for drinks

Things to consider: some people notice a slightly bitter or liquorice-like aftertaste, particularly when used in baking. Taste is very personal, so it's worth trying before buying a large pack.

Erythritol

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that's commonly used in reduced-sugar recipes.

It behaves similarly to sugar in many situations but often creates a slight cooling sensation in the mouth.

Best for: baking, desserts, hot drinks

Pros: similar texture to sugar, easy to measure

Things to consider: some people enjoy the flavour, while others find the cooling aftertaste noticeable.

Xylitol

Xylitol is another sugar alcohol that looks and behaves very similarly to sugar in many recipes.

It's particularly popular for baking.

Best for: cakes, biscuits, baking

Pros: similar sweetness to sugar, reliable in many recipes

Things to consider: xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, even in very small amounts. If you have pets, it's important to store it securely and keep it well out of reach.

Sucralose (often sold as Splenda)

Sucralose is one of the most widely available low-calorie sweeteners and is commonly found in supermarkets under brand names such as Splenda.

It dissolves easily and works well in drinks and many baked recipes.

Best for: tea and coffee, baking, desserts

Pros: easy to find, very sweet, long shelf life

Things to consider: recipes often require much smaller quantities than regular sugar, so it's worth checking the packaging before substituting.

Date syrup & blended dates

Blended dates add natural sweetness, flavour and texture in one step.

Dates offer a completely different approach to sweetness.

Rather than simply adding sugar, they also contribute flavour and texture.

Blended dates are especially popular in homemade snack bars, energy balls and brownies.

Best for: baking, smoothies, energy bites, porridge

Pros: rich caramel flavour, adds texture, versatile

Things to consider: dates won't replace sugar perfectly in every recipe, but they can create wonderfully soft baked goods.

Which sweetener is the most affordable?

If keeping costs down is your priority, white sugar remains one of the cheapest options available.

Honey and maple syrup generally cost more because they're produced differently and have distinctive flavours.

Sweeteners such as erythritol and xylitol can also be more expensive, although a little often goes a long way.

Ultimately, choosing a sweetener doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision. Many people keep two or three different options at home and use each one where it works best.

So… which one should you choose?

There isn't a universal winner.

If you're baking a birthday cake, white sugar may give the best texture.

If you're making homemade granola, honey or maple syrup can add delicious flavour.

If you're sweetening a morning coffee, you may prefer stevia or sucralose.

And if you're making energy bites, blended dates could be exactly what you need.

The best sweetener is simply the one that suits your recipe, your budget and your own taste.

Instead of searching for the "perfect" option, think about what you're making and choose the one that works best for the job.

That's a much more practical—and sustainable—way to cook.

Try it this week

Pick one recipe you make regularly and experiment with a different sweetener. You might discover a new favourite, or simply gain a better understanding of how different ingredients work in your kitchen.

Cooking isn't about following rules—it's about finding what works for you.