Convert Molasses from Cup (US) to Tablespoon

How many tablespoons is 1 US cup of molasses?

1 US cup of molasses (blackstrap molasses) is 16 tablespoons. 2 US cups of molasses is 32 tablespoons. 1/2 US cup of molasses is 8 tablespoons. 1/4 US cup (0.25 US cup) of molasses is 4 tablespoons. Use the converter below for any amount.

  • These figures use the US cup (240 ml). A metric cup is slightly larger at 250 ml, so it holds a little more. Use the metric cup converter →
  • Cup sizes are not standard worldwide, so the same cup of an ingredient can weigh more or less depending on the country. What is a cup measurement →
  • A tablespoon here is the 15 ml metric standard, about 16.67 to a metric cup, the same size as a UK tablespoon. A US tablespoon is smaller at 14.79 ml, so US cooks measuring with US spoons need slightly more. An Australian tablespoon is larger at 20 ml, so it holds about a third more. When tablespoon size matters →
  • One metric tablespoon of molasses weighs about 20.4 grams. A US tablespoon (14.79 ml) holds about 20.1 grams and an Australian tablespoon (20 ml) about 27.2 grams.

Molasses is a thick, dark syrup produced as a byproduct of refining cane sugar into white crystals. When a recipe calls for it by weight, one metric cup (250 ml) is around 340 grams or 12 ounces. Its bittersweet depth gives gingerbread, treacle tart, and dark rye bread their distinctive flavour.

Molasses clings to measuring cups and spoons, so weighing in grams gives a more reliable result. Pour it directly onto a scale for the cleanest measurement.

Also known as

  • blackstrap molasses
  • treacle

Honey and molasses are both thick liquid sweeteners and close in weight (honey 350 g, molasses 340 g per cup), but honey is golden and floral while molasses is dark and bittersweet. Use them interchangeably only in recipes that can handle the strong, distinctive flavour of molasses. See what 1 US cup of honey is in tablespoons.

Golden syrup is slightly heavier (350 g vs 340 g per cup) and has a mild buttery toffee taste, while molasses is darker and more bitter. They are not a clean 1:1 swap in flavour-sensitive bakes; weigh and expect a milder, sweeter result from golden syrup. See what 1 US cup of golden syrup is in tablespoons.

Maple syrup is lighter (325 g vs 340 g per cup) and thinner with a delicate caramel taste, while molasses is dense and bittersweet. Swap only in recipes that can handle a much stronger, darker flavour. See what 1 US cup of maple syrup is in tablespoons.

Brown sugar is made by mixing white sugar with molasses, so the two are closely related in flavour. In some recipes you can replace a portion of brown sugar with a smaller amount of molasses, though the texture will change as molasses adds moisture without bulk. See what 1 US cup of brown sugar is in tablespoons.

Palm sugar is a dry, granulated sweetener with earthy, caramel notes that come partly from the same compounds molasses contributes to other sugars. It is not a direct liquid substitute, but the two share a similar flavour role in dark, spiced bakes. See what 1 US cup of palm sugar is in tablespoons.

Parisian essence is a thinner caramel browning liquid, much lighter than molasses (230 g vs 340 g per cup). Use it to deepen the colour and add a malty note to cakes and gravies. See what 1 US cup of parisian essence is in tablespoons.

Out of molasses? See molasses substitutes →

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Molasses Measurement Converter

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Result

16 Tablespoon

Common Molasses Conversions

Here are the most common molasses conversions from cups (US) to tablespoons.

Cups (US)Tablespoons
0.25 cups (US)4 tbsp
0.5 cups (US)8 tbsp
0.75 cups (US)12 tbsp
1 cup (US)16 tbsp
1.25 cups (US)20 tbsp
1.5 cups (US)24 tbsp
2 cups (US)32 tbsp
2.5 cups (US)40 tbsp
3 cups (US)48 tbsp

Molasses Conversion Chart

The conversion chart below gives a quick reference for converting molasses from Cup (US) to Tablespoon and other measurements.

cup(US)tbspcupgramsouncestspmlfl oz
0.25 cup (US)4 tbsp0.24 cup81.6 g2.88 oz12 tsp60 ml2.03 fl oz
0.5 cup (US)8 tbsp0.48 cup163.2 g5.76 oz24 tsp120 ml4.06 fl oz
1 cup (US)16 tbsp0.96 cup326.4 g11.52 oz48 tsp240 ml8.12 fl oz
2 cup (US)32 tbsp1.92 cup652.8 g23.04 oz96 tsp480 ml16.23 fl oz

This is a volume conversion, so the result is the same for every ingredient. Use the cups (US) to tablespoons volume converter to switch between cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, and millilitres without weighing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 US cup of molasses in tablespoons?
1 US cup of molasses is 16 tablespoons. The ratio is fixed, so 2 US cups of molasses is 32 tablespoons and 0.5 US cups is 8 tablespoons. Use the converter above for any quantity, or check the conversion chart on this page for the most common amounts at a glance. Open the molasses converter
How many tablespoons is 1.5 US cups of molasses?
1.5 US cups of molasses is 24 tablespoons. The ratio is fixed, so 1 US cup of molasses is 16 tablespoons and 2 US cups is 32 tablespoons. Type any other amount into the converter above for the exact figure, or use the chart below for the common ones.
What is 2 US cups of molasses in tablespoons?
2 US cups of molasses is 32 tablespoons. Conversions scale in a straight line, so halving or doubling a recipe keeps the same ratio. 1 US cup of molasses is 16 tablespoons, and you can multiply or divide that figure to match whatever your recipe needs. Enter any amount in the converter above for an exact tablespoons reading.
How many US cups of molasses is 16 tablespoons?
16 tablespoons of molasses is 1 US cup. The conversion works the same in reverse, so you can switch between tablespoons and US cups without changing the result. This helps when a recipe lists US cups but you would rather weigh or measure in tablespoons. The converter above and the chart below cover both directions for any amount.
Are molasses and blackstrap molasses the same thing?
Yes. Blackstrap molasses is another name for molasses, so they are the same ingredient and convert identically. 1 US cup of molasses is 16 tablespoons under either name, and 2 US cups is 32 tablespoons. Recipes use the two names interchangeably, so you can follow either one without changing quantities or weighing any differently.
What is 1/2 cup (US) molasses in tablespoons?
1/2 US cup of molasses is 8 tablespoons. The ratio is fixed, so 1 US cup of molasses is 16 tablespoons and 2 US cups is 32 tablespoons. Half measures come up often when scaling a recipe down, and the figure divides cleanly. Use the converter above for any other amount, or the chart below for the common ones.
What is 1/4 cup (US) molasses in tablespoons?
1/4 US cup (0.25 US cup) of molasses is 4 tablespoons. The ratio is fixed, so 1 US cup of molasses is 16 tablespoons and 2 US cups is 32 tablespoons. Quarter amounts often come up when scaling a recipe down step by step, and the figure divides cleanly. Use the converter above for any other quantity, or the chart below for the most common amounts.

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