What You Need to Know About Molasses vs. Blackstrap Molasses

When a recipe calls for a certain kind of molasses many people wonder what kind to get. Is there a difference between molasses and blackstrap molasses? Can I just get one or the other and be good to go? Here is everything you need to know about molasses vs. blackstrap molasses.

Molasses (Light/Dark)

Grandma’s Molasses is popular brand of molasses that is stocked on grocery store shelfs.

Both molasses and blackstrap molasses are byproducts of sugar cane processing. Molasses, such as the one above, comes to be in the earlier stages of the sugarcane juice process. This type of molasses is commonly used in baking as a sweetener. The color can vary from light to dark based on what stage it is at in the refining process. The flavor is sweet and mild. This type of molasses contains some vitamins and minerals–such as iron, calcium, and potassium–but not to the extent of blackstrap molasses.

Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is the final, most concentrated stage of the sugarcane processing. It is a lot darker and thicker than regular molasses. Blackstrap molasses is often used in savory dishes, such as barbecue sauces, marinades, baked beans, etc. It is also commonly used as an iron supplement because of its high vitamin and mineral content. It has such a high vitamin and mineral content because of how concentrated it is compared to regular molasses. The taste is a little more bitter than molasses and not as candy sweet.

As you now know, the true difference between molasses vs. blackstrap molasses comes down to how long it is processed. Both kinds of molasses are useful for different reasons. Now for the burning question, can I use either or for my recipe? The answer is, it depends. I personally have no problem using blackstrap molasses in cookies and different desserts even though molasses might have a sweeter taste compared to blackstrap molasses. I personally love using blackstrap molasses for the higher vitamin and mineral content, such as for these delicious gingersnap cookies. So the answer comes down to, it’s all what you personally prefer taste-wise.

I always recommend that people try molasses next to blackstrap molasses at least once in their life so they know how they compare. The Grandmas Molasses and Plantation Blackstrap Molasses are two great brands to try side-by-side to get the full effect of their differences. Try it out and let me know your honest thoughts!