How to Substitute Fructose for Sugar

Sugar is a carbohydrate that comes in many forms based on the number of molecules it has and the structure of those molecules. Single-molecule sugars such as fructose, lactose and glucose are what more complex sugars, like white sugar, break down into. Of these simple sugars, fructose, which naturally occurs in fruits and honey, is the sweetest, according to "The Science of Good Food." Granulated white sugar consists mainly of sucrose. This sugar is a disaccharide formed from one glucose and one fructose molecule, according to "Good Eats: The Middle Years." Fructose is sold in health food stores for those looking to reduce the amount of sugar added to their diet because less fructose is needed to reach the same sweetness as granulated white sugar. Keep this in mind when replacing fructose for sugar in your recipes.

• 1

  Multiply the amount of sugar the recipe requires by 2. For instance, if your recipe calls for ½ cup of sugar: ½ x 2 = 1 cup.

• 2

  Divide this number by 3 to find the amount of granulated fructose to substitute. For example, 1 cup/3 = 1/3 cup of fructose to use.

• 3

  Add the granulated fructose into your recipe as you would sugar, and proceed with the recipe as directed.