Brown Sugar Substitute

by Deborah on Jan 23, 2024 (updated Apr 7, 2024) 0 comments

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Need a good substitute for brown sugar? Brown sugar has a deep caramel and toffee-like taste that adds a lot of flavor to cookies, cakes and candies. If you are in the middle of making a recipe and find that you need a brown sugar substitute, here’s a list of the best Brown Sugar Substitutes you can use in a pinch.

If you’re about to make a recipe that calls for brown sugar but you don’t have any on hand, there are a few substitutions for brown sugar that you can use in a pinch, like granulated sugar, granulated sugar mixed together with molasses or pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, raw sugar and muscavado sugar.

What Is Brown Sugar?

Brown sugar is made by mixing molasses and granulated sugar together which gives brown sugar a caramel or toffee-like flavor.

Can Light Brown Sugar Be Substituted For Dark Brown Sugar?

Light brown sugar can be used as a substitute for dark brown sugar and dark brown sugar can be used as a substitute for light brown sugar. However, when using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar, the final outcome will be a little darker in color and have a slightly more robust flavor. It may also affect the texture causing a wider spread and/or a higher rise.

To make dark brown sugar out of light brown sugar, mix together 1 cup light brown sugar (packed) with 1 tablespoon molasses and use your fingertips to rub the sugar and molasses together so the molasses is well incorporated into the light brown sugar.
To make light brown sugar out of dark brown sugar, mix together 1/2 cup dark brown sugar (packed) with 1/2 cup granulated sugar.

Best Substitutes For Brown Sugar

If you don’t have any brown sugar on hand, here are some of the best substitutes for brown sugar that you can use:

1. Granulated Sugar [White Sugar]

One of the easiest substitutes for brown sugar you can use is granulated sugar (also known as refined, white or table sugar). Granulated sugar lacks moisture and the flavor of molasses that brown sugar provides, and the finished product may be crispier and less chewy, but it makes a good substitute. Use the same amount of granulated sugar as you would use for brown sugar. (1:1 ratio)

2. Granulated Sugar With Molasses

If you happen to have molasses or pure maple syrup or date syrup on hand, you can make your own brown sugar using granulated sugar in a pinch.

To make your own light brown sugar. Mix together 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon molasses. Use your fingertips to really rub the molasses into the sugar.
To make dark brown sugar. Mix together 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of molasses. Use your fingertips to rub the sugar and molasses together so the molasses is well incorporated .

3. Coconut sugar

You will need to make a few adjustments when using coconut sugar as a substitute for brown sugar since it contains less moisture. Mix a tablespoon or two of mild flavored oil or melted butter with coconut sugar before adding it to other ingredients. Use the same amount of coconut sugar as you would use for brown sugar. (1:1 ratio)

4. Raw Sugar

Raw sugars such as demerara and turbinado can be used as a brown sugar substitute with a few adjustments. Since raw sugar granules are more coarse, you may want to add the raw sugar to a spice grinder or use a mortar and pestle to grind the coarser crystals into a finer sugar that you can more easily mix with the other ingredients in your recipe. Use the same amount of raw sugar as you would use for brown sugar. (1:1 ratio)

5. Muscovado sugar

Like brown sugar, musc0vado sugar contains molasses and can also be used as a substitute for brown sugar. However, muscovado can be clumpy and need to be sifted to remove any clumps before using. Also note that muscovado contains more molasses than brown sugar so it may create a stickier batter to work with. You’ll want to add it a little at a time as you mix in into your batter. Use the same amount of muscovado sugar as you would use for brown sugar. (1:1 ratio)

6. Liquid Sweeteners

Honey, maple syrup and agave nectar can be used as a substitute for brown sugar with some adjustments.

For every 1 cup of brown sugar called for in a recipe, use 2/3 cup of liquid sweetener (like honey, maple syrup or agave nectar).
For every 1 cup of brown sugar replaced with 2/3 cup of a liquid sweetener, you’ll need to reduce other liquid sources (such as milk or cream) by 1/4 cup.
You may need to reduce baking time since liquid sweeteners may caramelize more quickly.

How To Store Brown Sugar

Brown sugar should be stored in an air-tight container. If it gets exposed to air for a period of time, it will harden into clumps.

Why Does Brown Sugar Get Hard?

Brown sugar gets hard and lumpy when it is not properly stored and is exposed to air for a period of time.

Is Hard Brown Sugar Still Good To Use?

Depending on the expiration date, brown sugar that contains hard clumpy pieces is still good to use and the hard clumps can be softened with a few simple tricks.

How Do You Soften Brown Sugar?

If you have a box or bag of brown sugar that’s hard and clumpy (and the expiration date is still good), here are a few tricks you can use to soften it:

Microwave. Place the hardened brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl or dish and cover with a paper towel slightly dampened with water. Microwave in 10 second intervals, removing from the microwave and breaking the brown sugar up with a fork until you achieve the desired consistency (which is soft and fluffy brown sugar).
Oven. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Scatter the brown sugar on a parchment lined baking sheet and place in the oven. Remove the baking sheet from the oven every few minutes to break it up with a fork until you achieve the desire consistency (which is soft and fluffy brown sugar). Cool before adding the sugar to your recipe.

Recipes Using Brown Sugar

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