Making your own brown sugar at home is a game-changer for bakers and coffee lovers alike. In just 5 minutes, you can create a rich, velvety sweetener with a deep molasses flavor and soft, crumbly texture. Perfect for cookies, oatmeal, or even glazes, this homemade version is fresher and more aromatic than store-bought options. Plus, it’s incredibly simple—just two ingredients and no cooking required!
This recipe yields 16 tablespoons of perfectly packed brown sugar, ready to elevate your favorite treats. Its warm, caramel-like notes add depth to baked goods, while its moist consistency ensures a smooth blend every time. Whether you’re whipping up a batch of cookies or sweetening your morning coffee, this homemade brown sugar is a pantry essential you’ll love having on hand.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar (regular white sugar works perfectly)
- 1 Tablespoon unsulphured molasses (increase to 2 Tablespoons for dark brown sugar)
How to Make Brown Sugar
- Combine ingredients: Add the granulated sugar and molasses to a mixing bowl.
- Mix thoroughly: Use a spatula to work the ingredients together, pressing any lumps against the side of the bowl to break them up.
- Check consistency: Continue mixing until no lumps remain and the brown sugar is uniform in color.
- Store: Transfer the brown sugar to an airtight container for storage.
Storage Tips for Fresh Brown Sugar
Store your homemade brown sugar in an airtight container to keep it soft and prevent it from hardening. For extra freshness, add a small piece of bread or a terra cotta brown sugar saver to the container. This will help maintain moisture and ensure your brown sugar stays ready to use for weeks!
Recipe Variations: Light vs. Dark Brown Sugar
Want to customize your brown sugar? For light brown sugar, stick to 1 tablespoon of molasses. For a richer, deeper flavor, increase the molasses to 2 tablespoons to make dark brown sugar. Experiment with the ratio to find your perfect balance!
Time-Saving Tips for Perfect Brown Sugar
If you’re in a hurry, use a food processor to combine the sugar and molasses. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and lump-free—it’s faster than mixing by hand! Just be sure to scrape down the sides to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.
Common Questions About Homemade Brown Sugar
Wondering if you can use blackstrap molasses?
Stick to unsulphured molasses for the best flavor—blackstrap can be too bitter. Also, if your brown sugar hardens over time, simply microwave it with a damp paper towel for 10-15 seconds to soften it up again.
How To Make Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200 g
- 1 Tablespoon unsulphured molasses increase to 2 Tablespoons of molasses if you would like to make dark brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine sugar and molasses in a mixing bowl.
- Use a spatula to work the ingredients together as well as you can. Use the spatula to press any lumps against the side of the bowl and smash them out.
- Continue to mix until no lumps remain and the brown sugar is uniform in color.
- Store in an airtight container.