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    Home » Food Storage

    Author: Darcy Baldwin • This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Easy Homemade Brown Sugar

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    3 Bowls of brown sugar from light to dark and recipe - 1 Cup sugar + 1 Tablespoon Molasses
    Glass storage jar of homemade brown sugar - metal scoop

    When homemade brown sugar is so easy to make, tastes so much better than the store-bought version, why haven't you tried making your own brown sugar, yet?

    DIY Brown Sugar Ingredients: Sugar plus molasses and finished brown sugar

    While I do stock a lot of white sugar, I don't store brown sugar, even when it's on sale. It's just too easy to whip up a quick batch, and it tastes SO much better than the stuff at the store. It's part of my Basic Pantry Staples List (here's a free printable checklist to get you started) that I recommend for everyone.

    But did you know, that in the process of making sugar from sugar cane, the pressed liquid that you get from crushing sugar cane is, in fact, molasses! Then that liquid is concentrated into a syrup which is basically sugar crystals covered in molasses! It's natural brown sugar!

    Of course, that syrup is separated into sugar crystals (which are then refined a bunch to get to white sugar)  and the molasses. In the store, the brown sugar you're purchasing is white sugar + molasses. But I can tell you ...it's a blander version of what you can make at home!

    How to Make Homemade Brown Sugar

    Before we start, let me say that brown sugar is easy to make and VERY forgiving. If it's too dark for your tastes, add a little more sugar. If the flavor isn't deep enough, add a little more molasses.

    Ingredients

    The ratio you use is really to taste. You'll find lots of different ratios depending on which website you visit. My ratio is heavy on the molasses

    • 1 Cup of Sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon of Molasses (any kind will do)

    That's it. Just two simple ingredients.

    Now you have the first of many of your own homemade pantry staples to add to your storage!

    TIP: If you are using this for just one recipe, instead of putting some in your pantry - just do the 2 ingredients separately in the mixer as you go through the process - no need to make extra.

    Directions

    You don't even need a stand mixer if you want to do this by hand, with a hand mixer, an immersion blender with a whisk, or even in your food processor. Or let the kids have fun with grandma's old fashioned egg beater.

    1. Pour molasses into the bowl of sugar

    Pouring molasses into a Kitchen Aid mixer full of sugar to make homemade brown sugar

    2.Mix well

    Kitchen Aid mixer blending homemade brown sugar

    I love this after-market scraper/paddle for my Kitchenaid. I only wish I'd purchased the 2-sided version paddle!

    3. Scrape down the sides

    Mixing homemade brown sugar in a Kitchen Aid mixer with a red spatula

    4. Adjust the mix according to your taste

    Kitchen Aid mixer with brown sugar and sugar for homemade brown sugar

    If you find the ratio is too dark for you, add more sugar. If it's not dark enough, add more molasses.

    5. Store in Airtight Container

    Kitchen Aid mixer with a glass jar of homemade brown sugar

    Items I used in this process:

    • Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
    • Self-scraping paddle
    • Stainless steel canning funnel

    You can also find more recommendations on tools I use to stock my pantry on The Purposeful Pantry Recommends page.

    Watch the full video here where I walk you through making your own brown sugar

    How to Store

    Store brown sugar in an airtight container that is about the same volume as your sugar. Extra space help the sugar harden faster.

    It lasts for quite a long time. (Molasses is a food you can store unopened for up to ten years, and opened up to five. But keep an eye on changes in texture or quality then replace).

    How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft

    • Slice of bread - I save the heal of a bread loaf for this.
    • Brown Sugar Bear - really just a piece of terra cotta, which you can get from the garden center. But there are specialty ones marketed just for this reason.
    • Marshmallows - seriously. Throw in a couple of large ones, and they'll work as the bread. (This tip came from Leisa at SuttonsDaze).
    • Store in freezer.

    How to Soften Hard Brown Sugar

    If you do find that your brown sugar has hardened (this is simply moisture wicking away over time and binding the sugars), here are some easy ways to soften it again for quick use.

    • Place a slice of bread in the airtight container. It will be soft overnight.
    • Put brown sugar in a bowl, and cover it with a moistened paper towel. Add a lid over it to allow moisture to penetrate.
    • Put brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a moistened paper towel, then microwave for twenty seconds. Repeat in ten-second intervals if necessary.
    • Toss hardened brown sugar into your stand mixer to mix up again!

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    How to use Homemade Brown Sugar

    Remember...brown sugar measurements are always a packed measurement, unlike regular sugar that is a scoop. The moisture allows the sugar to be fluffier by nature, so be sure to pack it in to get equivalent sugar measurements.

    Does it matter if I use light or dark brown sugar in a recipe?

    The only reason it matters is your taste preference.

    While dark sugar has more molasses, thus is a little more acidic and a little more hygroscopic (meaning it holds more moisture), you'll have slightly fluffier, slightly moister cookies, especially if you have baking soda in the recipe.

    But the only real change is in the depth of the toffee caramel tones in the final product. I prefer dark brown sugar in just about everything I make, so I make my brown sugar a little heavy on the molasses.

    Can I just mix molasses and sugar in the recipe?

    Yes, with many recipes, you can just add the molasses and sugar to the creaming step instead of making enough to store,

    SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS:   If you store brown sugar long-term, how do you do it?

    Watch how I make light, medium, and dark brown sugar on my Youtube Channel. To watch the video, simply click the red arrow below.

    Other Pantry Posts you might enjoy:

    • 10 Pantry Organization Tips
    • How to Use and Create a Price Book
    • DIY Bread Crumbs and Croutons with a Dehydrator

    Be sure to pin this DIY to your Pinterest Boards for safekeeping! Make sure to follow me on Pinterest for more great DIY ideas for stocking your pantry!

    measuring spoon full of homemade brown sugar and a jarful behind it all on wooden surfaces
    Print Recipe
    3.93 from 13 votes
    PIN THIS!!

    Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe

    The easiest diy brown sugar recipe ever! Tastes so much better than storebought, and is less expensive, too!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Keyword: baking supplies, brown sugar, homemade pantry staples
    Author: Darcy Baldwin

    Equipment

    • Spoon (though a handmixer or stand mixer is helpful when doing large quantities)

    Ingredients

    • 1 Cup sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon molasses

    Instructions

    • Mix molasses into sugar with a mixer
    • Store in an airtight container

    Video

    Notes

    Notes: 
    You can adjust the lightness or darkness of this recipe by adding more molasses for a deeper, darker flavor. 
    If yours is a little too dark, add a bit more sugar to lighten it.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thepurposefulpantry or tag #thepurposefulpantry!
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    A jar of homemade brown sugar with a measuring cup of brown sugar heaped inside on a wooden surface
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stacia says

      December 21, 2020 at 10:14 am

      5 stars
      Wow! I had no idea! All the times I ran out of brown sugar and I could have just made some?! You just changed my baking life!!
      Stacia

      Reply
    2. Anne-Marie Main says

      January 03, 2021 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks, I am going to try this!!

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        January 04, 2021 at 8:20 am

        Hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    3. Staci says

      February 13, 2021 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      Awesome that it is so easy to do! And totally agree that having both sugar and molasses is a must for the pantry!

      Reply
    4. Dedee says

      February 13, 2021 at 3:56 pm

      You are amazing! Your ideas are so helpful!
      I love, your so dedicated for providing helpful tips and ideas to help us all! Your very clear and easy to understand.. Dehydrating tips and how too are excellent! Your a lovely person, your voice is a pleasure to listen to! Videos awesome. I’ve learned a lot from you. No dreadful back ground music, ugh.
      I’m a fan of yours, nice to help us all out. Love love love your site! A true blessing.

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        February 14, 2021 at 10:38 am

        I'm glad you're finding all the info helpful!!!

        Reply
    5. Sheryl says

      February 13, 2021 at 8:15 pm

      Thanks Darcy, I mostly use brown sugar for baking, so you have just saved me $$$. Brown sugar being 3 times the price of white sugar.

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        February 14, 2021 at 10:37 am

        I'm glad you found it helpful!

        Reply
    6. Carol Bartholomew says

      February 14, 2021 at 9:46 am

      5 stars
      Wow after 40 plus years of just putting the sugar in my recipe and adding the molasses never thought about mixing and having on hand. Great now I’ll have brown sugar for toppings thanks

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        February 14, 2021 at 10:38 am

        awesome!

        Reply
    7. Elle says

      September 05, 2021 at 5:14 pm

      Have you ever substituted maple syrup for the molasses?!

      Reply
      • Darcy Baldwin says

        September 07, 2021 at 6:45 pm

        You can for single use, but I would not make it for any shelf storage as open maple syrup can mold over time.

        Reply
    8. Suzanne says

      March 18, 2022 at 9:59 am

      I just ran out of brown sugar and have extra white sugar and molasses on hand. So I’ll be making this today! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Darcy Baldwin says

        March 19, 2022 at 12:35 pm

        You are welcome!

        Reply

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    Howdy! I'm Darcy! I've spent the last twenty years learning how to stretch our budget to meet the needs of our growing family. I want to help you succeed at it, too!

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