Brown sugar is used in so many recipes, but for the longest time I was just buying a bag not knowing how truly easy it is to make at home. And with just two ingredients you most likely already have on hand. I like knowing that I am feeding my family the cleanest ingredients I possibly can, and this ensures that I can have one more thing in my pantry that I made myself with clean ingredients. Make a batch of homemade brown sugar today and you will never go back!
Brown sugar recipes
Some of our favorite recipes that use brown sugar are:
Pumpkin Sourdough Snickerdoodles
The Fluffiest Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Sourdough Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Tools
Bowls
Whisk, spoon, or spatula
Jars or canisters for storing
Ingredients
Sugar – White sugar is the base for homemade brown sugar. We are going to add the color and flavor with only one addition!
Molasses – Yup! That is what gives those caramelly and warm flavors to the sugar. Just simple molasses. I like using black strap molasses but brands like “grandmas” are also ok!
Additional ingredients and substitutions
I do not recommend using a different kind of sugar other than regular cane sugar. I always use organic cane sugar, but I would not try to use coconut sugar or the like. It has a different texture and structure, and the results will not be the same.
Light or dark
When making homemade brown sugar it is really easy to customize! For light brown sugar it is 1 tablespoon of molasses for each cup of sugar. For dark brown sugar it is 2 tablespoons of molasses per cup of white sugar. It really is that simple!
Let’s make homemade brown sugar!
In a bowl add the sugar and molasses. A stand mixer may also be used, which is very helpful if making a large batch.
Use a whisk, spatula, or spoon and get mixing. Mix until there are no chunks remaining and the color is consistent throughout all the sugar.
The sugar can also be mixed by hand to break up any bits of molasses. Just make sure your hands are clean or wear food safe gloves.
Once the molasses is fully incorporated transfer the homemade brown sugar into a jar, or other airtight storage container.
Enjoy the sugar in all your favorite recipes and use within a year for best results.
Storing to not dry out
As long as the homemade brown sugar is kept sealed it should not dry out. There are ways to keep it hydrated such as adding a slice of bread to the container or a brown sugar saver.
Tips for success
Mix well – To ensure there are no large ribbons of molasses or bits of white sugar just make sure it is mixed well. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to ensure they are mixed evenly.
Store sealed – Brown sugar will dry out and turn into a lovely and unusable brick if left exposed to air for too long. To avoid this, it must be kept in an airtight container. I prefer to use a jar or Tupperware of some sort because it is easy for a bag to get punctured and slowly dry out without me even realizing it.
Thank you!
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do. It is a delight hearing about how much you enjoyed a recipe or what you think could be improved. So, thank you for leaving a comment! Don’t forget to share with friends and family so they too can enjoy making homemade brown sugar. Thank you!
Homemade Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is so easy to make at home in less than 5 minutes! Make a quick batch and you will never go back to store bought.
Ingredients
- 2 cups White sugar
- 2 Tbsp. Molasses*
Instructions
- In a bowl add the sugar and molasses. This can be mixed by hand or with a spoon. A stand mixer may also be used with a paddle attachment.
- Mix until the molasses is fully incorporated. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and mix again.
- Store your amazing homemade brown sugar in a jar or other airtight container. Add a brown sugar saver if it is going to sit on the shelf for a long period of time.
- Enjoy in all your favorite recipes and use within a year.
Notes
* If making dark brown sugar use 2 cups of sugar and 4 Tbsp. of molasses.
This recipe for homemade brown sugar contains affiliate links. To learn more about how we use them, click here.
Leave a Reply