How to Make Brown Sugar
Learn how to make brown sugar at home with our easy guide. Using just granulated sugar and molasses, create your own brown sugar to enhance your recipes with a rich, molasses flavor.
Brown sugar is a staple in many kitchens, adding a rich, molasses flavor to baked goods, sauces, and more. Whether you’re out of brown sugar or want to try making your own, this guide will show you how to create it at home using just two ingredients: granulated sugar and molasses.
Not only is it quick and easy, but making brown sugar yourself allows you to control the depth of flavor and texture to suit your recipes perfectly. Let’s dive into the process and discover how to make this delicious pantry essential.
Handy tip: How to Soften brown sugar
Place the hard brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a damp paper towel, and microwave it in 20-second intervals until it softens. Alternatively, you can place a slice of bread or a few apple slices in the container with the brown sugar and seal it tightly; after a few hours or overnight, the sugar will absorb the moisture and soften.
Just 2 Ingredients to make Brown Sugar
How to make Brown Sugar
- Prepare Your Ingredients:
- Measure out 8 cups of white granulated sugar and 8 tablespoons of molasses.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Place the granulated sugar and molasses in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Thoroughly:
- If you have a stand mixer, attach the paddle attachment with a side scraper. This tool will help ensure the molasses is evenly distributed throughout the sugar.
- Mix on a medium speed for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar and molasses are well-blended and you achieve a consistent, brown sugar texture.
- Manual Mixing Option:
- If you do not have a stand mixer, you can use a large spoon or spatula. Mix the ingredients by hand, pressing the molasses into the sugar and stirring constantly until fully incorporated. This may take a bit longer, around 10-15 minutes.
Tips & Tricks
- Adjusting Flavor Intensity:
- If you prefer a lighter sugar, use 1 tablespoon of molasses for every cup of granulated sugar. For a darker, more robust flavor, increase to 2 tablespoons of molasses per cup of sugar. This allows you to customize the taste to match your recipe needs.
- Preventing Clumps:
- To prevent your homemade brown sugar from clumping, store it in an airtight container with a piece of bread or a couple of marshmallows. These items help maintain moisture and keep the sugar soft.
- Quick Softening Method:
- If your brown hardens, place it in a microwave-safe bowl with a damp paper towel draped over the top. Microwave in 20-second intervals until the sugar softens. Alternatively, sealing the sugar in an airtight container with a slice of bread or apple slices overnight will also restore its soft texture.
- Substitution in Recipes:
- Brown can be substituted for white sugar in many recipes to add a richer flavor and moist texture. Just remember that brown sugar is slightly more acidic, which can affect the rise of baked goods slightly.
- Even Mixing:
- When mixing by hand, use the back of a spoon to press the molasses into the sugar against the sides of the bowl. This helps to blend the molasses evenly, preventing clumps and ensuring a smooth consistency.
Light Brown VS. Dark Brown Sugar
Light Brown:
- Flavor: Light brown has a mild molasses flavor, which adds a subtle caramel note to recipes without overpowering other ingredients.
- Color: It has a light golden-brown color due to the lower molasses content.
- Usage: Ideal for recipes where a delicate sweetness is desired, such as in cookies, cakes, and sauces. It’s often used in recipes where the sugar needs to blend seamlessly without altering the overall flavor profile too much.
Dark Brown:
- Flavor: Dark brown has a richer, more intense molasses flavor, giving dishes a deeper and more robust taste.
- Color: It has a dark brown hue because of the higher molasses content.
- Usage: Best for recipes that benefit from a stronger molasses flavor, such as gingerbread, baked beans, and barbecue sauces. It can also add extra moisture and chewiness to baked goods, making it perfect for brownies and certain cookies.
Key Differences:
- Molasses Content: The primary difference between light and dark is the amount of molasses added. Dark sugar has nearly double the molasses content compared to light brown sugar.
- Flavor Profile: Light brown offers a subtle caramel flavor, while dark sugar provides a more pronounced, robust molasses taste.
- Color: As the names suggest, light brown sugar is lighter in color, while dark brown sugar has a deeper, richer brown color.
- Moisture Content: Dark brown is slightly more moist than light brown due to the higher molasses content, which can affect the texture of baked goods.
Substitution:
- In Recipes: Light and dark sugar can often be used interchangeably in recipes. However, using dark brown sugar in place of light brown sugar will result in a stronger molasses flavor and darker color, while substituting light sugar for dark sugar will yield a milder flavor and lighter color.
- Adjustment: If substituting one for the other, consider the impact on flavor and moisture. You may need to slightly adjust other ingredients to maintain the desired consistency and taste.
FAQs
Our Favorite
Recipes that Use Brown Sugar
How to make Brown Sugar
Yield:
8 cups
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Learn how to make brown sugar at home with our easy guide. Using just granulated sugar and molasses, create your own brown sugar to enhance your recipes with a rich, molasses flavor.
Ingredients
- 8 cups white granulated sugar
- 8 tablespoons molasses
Instructions
- Measure out 8 cups of white granulated sugar and 8 tablespoons of molasses.
- Place the granulated sugar and molasses in a large mixing bowl.
- If you have a stand mixer, attach the paddle attachment with a side scraper. Mix on medium speed for about 5 minutes, or until well-blended. If mixing by hand, use a large spoon or spatula, pressing the molasses into the sugar and stirring constantly until fully incorporated, which may take around 10-15 minutes.
- Transfer the homemade brown sugar to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place to keep it soft and ready for use in your recipes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 835Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 216gFiber: 0gSugar: 215gProtein: 0g
