Have you ever been mid-bake, about to add the brown sugar, and realized you're out? I’ve been there, too. Luckily, this super easy hack to make homemade brown sugar is here to save the day—and your recipe.
All you need are two pantry staples—granulated sugar and molasses—and voilà! Skip the store and keep baking with freshly made brown sugar. Oh, and the best part? You can adjust it from light to dark to fit your taste, and it’s guaranteed fresh every time.
Why Make Homemade Brown Sugar?
Let’s be real: store-bought brown sugar can be pricey and often way too full of additives. Making your own is a budget-friendly game-changer! Not only can you customize it to match your recipe or personal preference, but it also helps avoid that last-minute store run when you're in a pinch. Plus, no weird preservatives—just simple, wholesome ingredients.
The best part? You get to control how dark or rich it is. Add a little extra molasses for a deep, almost caramel-like flavor. And the best part? It’s ready in just a few minutes.
Recipe Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 Tbsp molasses (for light brown sugar)
- OR 2 Tbsp molasses (for dark brown sugar)
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Food processor, stand mixer, or electric hand mixer
- You can mix by hand, but it’ll take a little longer—and your wrists will definitely feel it!
What’s the best molasses to use for homemade brown sugar?
Unsulphured molasses is your best bet—it gives the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness.
- If you're in the U.S., look for light molasses (sometimes labeled as mild or regular molasses).
- In Canada, reach for fancy molasses, which is the closest equivalent.
Avoid blackstrap or cooking molasses—they’re darker, more bitter, and can change the flavor and texture of your brown sugar.
Best Way To Make Brown Sugar
Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Using a Food Processor or Stand Mixer:
This is hands-down my favorite method for making brown sugar. It’s fast, easy, and, best of all, hands-free. Here’s the simple breakdown:
- For dark brown sugar, this process will be quicker since the extra molasses mixes more easily. For light brown sugar, you’ll need to mix a minute or two longer for an even texture.
- Add the granulated sugar and molasses to your food processor (or stand mixer).
- Set the blade to the lowest setting and blend on low for about 2-4 minutes. Stop halfway through to scrape down the sides.
Light Brown Sugar
Here's what the light brown sugar looked like in the food processor. This one took 1-2 minutes longer to mix than the dark version. I found that there were still a few darker clumps so I probably could've mixed it a bit longer even.
Using a Hand Mixer
If you’re feeling brave, you can use a hand mixer, but fair warning: it’ll take about 10-15 minutes. That's much longer than what the food processor took! I didn't have success with light brown sugar, but was able to make dark brown sugar using 2 Tbsp of molasses.
NOTE: My wrists were sore by the end, so I wouldn’t recommend this method unless you're looking for an arm workout. 😅
My Personal Favorite Method Was...
For the quickest, easiest homemade brown sugar, grab your food processor or stand mixer. If you don't have either one of those, then use an electric hand mixer and make the dark brown sugar recipe.
Avoid using a blender (it’ll turn your sugar into powder!) and definitely skip the mixing by hand unless you’re a glutton for punishment.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Brown Sugar
- Use unsulphured molasses: This is the only molasses you should use for that perfect flavor. I love Grandma’s Molasses—it’s simple, smooth, and gives the sugar a well-rounded, rich taste.
- Customize your brown sugar: Want a bolder flavor? Add more molasses. Brown sugar’s beauty lies in its flexibility—get it just right for your recipe.
- No more store-bought brown sugar: This recipe is a go-to for any recipe calling for brown sugar. Try it in cookies, cakes, or even savory dishes like BBQ sauces or glazes.
How to Store Brown Sugar
To keep your homemade brown sugar fresh and soft, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Want to keep it from hardening? Here’s how:
- Use a brown sugar saver: These little terra cotta discs are a life-saver. Soak one in water and add it to your container to keep your brown sugar soft for weeks.
- Press out the air: To avoid any hardening, press out as much air as you can from the container. I personally use a Ziploc bag—easy, efficient, and no-fuss.
How to Soften Hardened Brown Sugar
Brown sugar loves to harden when stored improperly, but don’t panic—there’s a quick fix!
Quick Methods:
- Microwave with a damp paper towel: Place the sugar in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a damp (not soaking) paper towel, and microwave in 15-20 second bursts, fluffing with a fork in between. Use immediately—it’ll harden again once cooled.
- Microwave with a slice of apple: Place a thin apple slice in the bowl with the sugar, cover, and microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir the sugar after removing the apple.
Overnight Methods:
- Use bread or apple slices: Place sugar in an airtight container with a slice of bread or a few apple slices and seal it. Let it sit overnight, and the sugar will absorb the moisture.
- Damp paper towel in container: Place sugar in a container, lay a damp paper towel over plastic wrap or foil, and seal it. Let it sit for 12-24 hours.
How to Use Homemade Brown Sugar
Now that you’ve got your homemade brown sugar ready, here’s what to do with it!
- Side Dishes: Brown sugar is amazing in roasted veggies. Try it in these Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots.
- Breakfast: Stir it into your Overnight Oats or bake up a comforting Baked French Toast Casserole.
- Cookies: Brown sugar brings a rich, caramel flavor to cookies. Try it in my Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies or Gingerbread Cookies.
- Baking: Brown sugar is a must for cakes and muffins. Use it in these Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins.
- Savory Dishes: Use brown sugar in BBQ sauces, glazes, and even marinades. Try it in my Brown Sugar Salmon or Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken.
FAQs
Yes! It’s perfect for anything that calls for brown sugar—cookies, cakes, muffins, you name it.
Absolutely! It’s fresh, flavorful, and customizable. Some say it even tastes better than store-bought!
Molasses is key to creating authentic brown sugar. You can substitute it with maple syrup or honey, but it won’t have the same flavor depth.
If it’s too light, just add more molasses! For dark brown sugar, use 2 tablespoons of molasses.
You can, but the flavor and texture won’t be the same as regular brown sugar. Stick with granulated sugar for the best result.
Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. You can even use a brown sugar saver or a slice of bread to keep it soft.
Use a microwave method or place a slice of bread with the sugar in an airtight container. It’ll soften in hours or overnight!
Yes! Just add another tablespoon of molasses to your light brown sugar, and you’re good to go.
Yes! It works great in BBQ sauces, glazes, and marinades. Try it in my Brown Sugar Salmon!
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Homemade Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 Tbsp molasses - for light brown sugar
- OR 2 Tbsp molasses - for dark brown sugar
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup granulated white sugar with 1 Tbsp (for light) or 2 Tbsp (for dark) molasses.
- Mix thoroughly with a food processor, stand mixer or electric hand mixer until the molasses is fully incorporated and the sugar is evenly brown and fluffy.
- Use immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Recipe Notes:
- Use Unsulphured Molasses: For the best flavor, stick with unsulphured molasses like Grandma’s Molasses. It gives your brown sugar a smooth, balanced taste without any bitterness.
- Customize the Flavor: Want a richer, deeper flavor? Add a little extra molasses! You can easily adjust it to make it lighter or darker, depending on your preference.
- No More Store-Bought Brown Sugar: Once you try this homemade version, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought. It works perfectly in cookies, cakes, or even savory dishes like BBQ sauces and marinades.
- Storage Tip: Store your homemade brown sugar in an airtight container to keep it soft. A slice of bread or a brown sugar saver can help keep the sugar from hardening over time.
Nutrition Info
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.
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