Nothing kills the holiday baking vibe faster than realizing you forgot brown sugar – and of course, the store shelves are wiped clean of the dark brown kind you really needed. But don’t stress – we’ve got you covered with a quick, easy, and cheaper solution: make it yourself!
Brown sugar is one of the simplest pantry staples to DIY, and you only need 2 ingredients: sugar and molasses.
Light vs. Dark Brown Sugar
- Dark Brown Sugar → Adds deeper flavor and creates a chewier texture. I love using it for cookies.
- Light Brown Sugar → Perfect for recipes that need a more delicate flavor or lighter crumb, like cakes.
The best part? If your recipe calls for one and you only have the other, don’t panic – you can easily substitute. And if you’ve only got light brown sugar, just mix in a little molasses and voilà: instant dark brown sugar.
Be sure to comment below or tag us on social media if you’ve tried this recipe!
Recipe
Yield: Flexible – make as much as you need! For example, if you want 4 cups of brown sugar, just multiply this recipe by 4.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of sugar
- Light Brown Sugar: 1 tablespoon of molasses
- Dark Brown Sugar: 2 tablespoons of molasses
Equipment
- Stand mixer* (recommended)
- Silicone spatula
- Airtight storage container
- Small scoop* (recommended)
Instructions
- Decide your amount. Figure out how many cups of brown sugar you need and multiply the base recipe as needed.
- Add sugar. Place your sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Mix in molasses. With the mixer on the lowest speed, slowly add your molasses 1 tablespoon at a time (1 tablespoon per cup for light brown sugar, or 2 tablespoons per cup for dark brown sugar). Adding gradually prevents clumps.
- Combine. Let the mixture run until the sugar and molasses are fully blended and uniform in color.
- Store. Transfer to an airtight container. For easy use, keep a small scoop inside the container so it’s always ready to grab. Stored properly, your brown sugar will stay fresh for months.
Note: Don’t have a stand mixer? You can use a hand mixer or a fork!
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