Homemade Brown Sugar
Out of brown sugar? Make your own in about five minutes with just granulated sugar and molasses. Adjust the amount of molasses to make light or dark brown sugar, then use it in cookies, cakes, quick breads, sauces and other recipes just like store-bought brown sugar.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: spice rack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baking, spice
Servings: 16
Cost: $1.50-$2.50
medium mixing bowl
measuring cups
Measuring spoons
fork, sturdy spoon, hand mixer, or food processor
airtight storage container
Light Brown Sugar
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp unsulphured molasses
Dark Brown Sugar
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp unsulphured molasses
Add 2 cups granulated sugar to a medium mixing bowl.
For light brown sugar, add 2 tablespoons molasses. For dark brown sugar, add 4 tablespoons molasses.
Mix thoroughly until the molasses is completely incorporated and the sugar is evenly brown with no large streaks or clumps remaining.
A fork or sturdy spoon works, but a hand mixer or food processor makes larger batches considerably faster.
Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container for storage.
Measure homemade brown sugar the same way you would commercial brown sugar. If your recipe calls for packed brown sugar, pack the homemade version into the measuring cup too.
Use molasses—not maple syrup. Brown sugar is essentially granulated sugar combined with molasses. Maple syrup adds a different flavor and additional liquid and does not create the same ingredient.
Choose unsulphured molasses for everyday baking. I would not use blackstrap molasses for this basic recipe; its flavor is substantially stronger and more bitter.
Light vs. dark brown sugar
The difference is simple: dark brown sugar contains more molasses.
Make whichever version your recipe calls for—or whichever one you prefer when the distinction isn't critical.
Don't panic when you start mixing
At first, the molasses will form sticky little clumps and you'll wonder whether I've ruined perfectly good sugar.
Keep mixing.
It comes together.
Storage
Store homemade brown sugar in a tightly sealed airtight container to help prevent moisture loss and hardening.
If it does harden, that doesn't automatically mean it's spoiled. The bigger issue is usually lost moisture.
1 cup light brown sugar:
1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses
1 cup dark brown sugar:
1 cup granulated sugar + 2 tablespoons molasses