Substitutes for Brown Sugar

Ready to bake and no brown sugar? No worries, here are the best substitutes for brown sugar. No need to drive to the store if you already have any of these replacements already in your pantry. These alternatives for brown sugar work great for cooking or baking.

When you have a recipe that lists brown sugar as an ingredient and you do not have it, using a substitute or an alternate is easy.  For a homemade alternative, try the recipe below for making brown sugar in a pinch. It works great, just like my recipe for a muscovado sugar substitute.

Using any type of brown sugar, dark, light, or even muscovado sugar, in baking makes everything taste so much better. The color and moisture that brown sugar lends to baked goods are lovely. Brown sugar ensures Homemade Applesauce Muffins are moist and golden.

What is Brown Sugar?

Brown sugar is a sucralose sugar product made with the presence of molasses. The combination of sugar and molasses gives brown sugar its distinct color. It also makes brown sugar a bit sticky and moist. It has a different taste than white sugar as well for that reason.

Brown sugar is made by adding sugarcane molasses to refined white sugar crystals. It can be made from sugarcane or sugar beets. The amount of molasses added is what makes light and dark brown sugar varieties.

What Does Brown Sugar Taste Like?

Since it is sugar, brown sugar tastes sweet. The deep color and richness of brown sugar may taste like toffee with a hint of bitterness. This is due to the molasses in the product.

Some may describe it as having a buttery caramel flavor. It is also known to have a slight bitterness to it. For a combination of sweet, smoky, bitter, and buttery. This sugar sure sounds tasty to me.

Is Brown Sugar the Same as White Sugar?

There are similarities and differences between brown and white sugar. Both are typically refined and processed. They are nutritionally similar and the biggest difference is their taste and colors. White sugar is not vegan due to the processing step that includes bone char. Some brown sugars may be vegan.

In the simplest context, brown and white sugar can be used interchangeably for one another when baking with a 1:1 ratio. Just keep in mind that the color and texture may be a bit different. The recipe may come out lighter in color and be not as moist when using white sugar instead of brown sugar.

Best Substitutes for Brown Sugar

Ever wondered if you can use white sugar instead of brown sugar when baking? I have many times and have tried it. My gooey, chewy, & soft chocolate chip cookies without brown sugar recipe are amazing. You won't miss the brown sugar.

But if you still want something close to brown sugar as a replacement, these options are all great. The recipe below for the perfect combination of sugar and molasses is my recommendation. But here are some other quick alternate ingredients for brown sugar:

• Demerara sugar - a larger grain of dark brown sugar. It has a lower molasses content than muscovado but is a great substitute.
• Coconut palm sugar - an unrefined substitute for sugar. It is a good low-glycemic substitute for muscovado.
• Honey - this sweet ingredient has a lower glycemic index & calorie count than brown sugar. It is a good substitute that adds Vitamin C as well.
• Jaggery - this is the closest alternative to muscovado. It is an unrefined brown sugar that is dark and rich.
• Maple Syrup - a natural sweetener that is great for baking or in marinade & sauces.
• Molasses or Molasses Sugar - do not like to use molasses alone as a substitute for muscovado. See the recipe card for the best replacement recipe. It is better combined with brown sugar for the best alternative.
• Muscovado Sugar -
• Raw sugar - same as turbinado sugar, see below. Sugar in the raw is a great vegan muscovado substitute.
• Sucanat - a brown sugar with large crystals that is unrefined and made by dehydrating cane juice vs boiling it.
• Turbinado sugar - this sugar has large crystals and does not pack like brown or muscovado sugars but can be used in a pinch.
• White Sugar - good old granulated white sugar is a 1:1 replacement for brown sugar.

What's the Best Brown Sugar for Baking?

Brown sugar is easily found in most commercial grocery and convenience stores. You can order it online and here are some good quality brands. Bake something new with one of these brown sugar brands that have great reviews.

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Best Way to Store Brown Sugar

Whether you have store-bought or homemade brown sugar, here is the best way to store it. This works for the substitute recipe below as well.

Store brown sugar in an air-tight container or ziplock bag. Try to keep any moisture from penetrating the container. Store in a cool, dry, and dark. You do not want heat, sun, or humidity to ruin your muscovado sugar.

FAQ

Brown sugar is used around the world in millions of homes every day. This cooking staple has a lot to offer. It may seem like a simple ingredient but I get frequent questions about it. Here are some quick answers all about sweet brown sugar.