5 Best Substitutes for Piloncillo to use in your next recipe

If you’re planning to cook something sweet, you may have a recipe that calls for piloncillo. Piloncillo is a type of unrefined cane sugar, commonly used in Mexican cuisine. It is sold in cone-shaped forms and has a strong molasses-like flavor. It is often used in sweet and savory dishes, as well as in beverages like coffee and hot chocolate.

This isn’t super common- so what do you do if you do not have access to piloncillo? Let’s dig into some of our favorite substitutes below.

Best Substitutes for Piloncillo

1. Dark brown sugar

Dark brown sugar is a good substitute for piloncillo because it has a similar flavor profile. Piloncillo has a strong molasses flavor, and dark brown sugar is made by adding molasses to refined white sugar. This results in a sugar with a rich, slightly bitter, and caramel-like taste that is similar to piloncillo.

brown sugar substitute

The color and texture of dark brown sugar is also similar to that of piloncillo, making it an effective substitute in recipes that call for the latter. When using dark brown sugar as a substitute for piloncillo, it’s a good idea to start with a small amount and adjust to taste as needed, as dark brown sugar is often sweeter than piloncillo.

This has a similar flavor profile to piloncillo and can be used as a one-to-one substitute in recipes.

2. Molasses

Molasses is a good substitute for piloncillo because it has a similar flavor profile, although it is much sweeter. Piloncillo is a type of unrefined cane sugar that has a strong molasses flavor, and molasses is a byproduct of the sugar-making process.

molasses substitute

It has a rich, slightly bitter, and caramel-like taste that is similar to piloncillo. The color and texture of molasses is also similar to that of piloncillo, making it an effective substitute in recipes that call for the latter.

As with dark brown sugar- when using molasses as a substitute for piloncillo, it’s important to keep in mind that it is much sweeter, so it may be necessary to adjust the amount used in a recipe to achieve the desired taste.

This is a thick syrup that can be used to mimic the flavor of piloncillo, though it is much sweeter.

3. Maple syrup

Maple syrup is a good substitute for piloncillo because it is a natural sweetener that can add sweetness to a recipe, although it has a different flavor profile. Piloncillo has a strong molasses flavor, while maple syrup has a distinct, sweet and slightly earthy taste.

Maple syrup is thinner and lighter in color than piloncillo, but it can still be used as a substitute in recipes that call for the latter. When using maple syrup as a substitute for piloncillo, it’s important to keep in mind that it has a sweeter taste, so it may be necessary to adjust the amount used in a recipe to achieve the desired sweetness.

Maple syrup has a stronger flavor than piloncillo, so it may also be necessary to adjust other ingredients in a recipe to balance the flavor.

While not as strong in flavor as piloncillo, maple syrup can be used as a substitute in recipes to add sweetness.

4. Jaggery

Jaggery is a good substitute for piloncillo because it has a similar flavor profile. Both piloncillo and jaggery are unrefined cane sugars that are commonly used in sweet and savory dishes. They both have a rich, slightly bitter, and caramel-like taste that is similar to molasses.

Jaggery is often used in Indian cuisine, and it is available in solid blocks or as a paste. The color and texture of jaggery is similar to that of piloncillo, making it an effective substitute in recipes that call for the latter.

When using jaggery as a substitute for piloncillo, it’s important to keep in mind that the exact flavor and sweetness can vary depending on the variety of jaggery and the region it comes from. It’s a good idea to start with a small amount and adjust to taste as needed.

This unrefined cane sugar, commonly used in India, has a similar flavor profile to piloncillo and can be used as a substitute.

5. Palm sugar

Palm sugar is a good substitute for piloncillo in recipes because it has a similar flavor and consistency. Both piloncillo and palm sugar are unrefined cane sugars that are commonly used in sweet and savory dishes.

palm sugar substitutes

They both have a rich, slightly bitter, and caramel-like taste that is similar to molasses. Palm sugar is made from the sap of various palm trees and is often used in Southeast Asian cuisine. It is available in solid blocks or as a syrup.

The color and texture of palm sugar is similar to that of piloncillo, making it an effective substitute in recipes that call for the latter.

When using palm sugar as a substitute for piloncillo, it’s important to keep in mind that the exact flavor and sweetness can vary depending on the variety of palm sugar and the region it comes from.

This unrefined sugar, made from the sap of various palm trees, has a similar flavor and consistency to piloncillo and can be used as a substitute.

About Rachelle

Hi, I'm Rachel! I love cooking and finding new recipes but was always missing one of the ingredients in my kitchen. I created Can I Substitute? for people like me who are one substitute away from a great meal. If you're looking for great ingredient substitutes you've come to the right place. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.