There’s something so satisfying about making your own pantry staples from scratch, and brown sugar is one of the easiest. With just two simple ingredients, granulated sugar and molasses, you can have fresh brown sugar in less than five minutes. You can easily adjust the molasses to make light brown sugar or dark brown sugar, depending on what your recipe calls for. It’s budget-friendly, always fresh, and a simple way to bring more homemade goodness into your kitchen.

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Tips & Tricks for the Best Homemade Brown Sugar

Mix thoroughly – Use a fork, whisk, or stand mixer to make sure the molasses is evenly combined with the sugar. This helps avoid clumps.
Adjust to taste – Start with less molasses and add more gradually until you reach the flavor and color you like.
Keep it soft – Store in an airtight container and, if it starts to harden, add a slice of bread for a few hours to bring back the softness (you can do this with store-bought too).
Make small batches – Homemade brown sugar is quick to whip up, so make it fresh as you need it for the best texture.
Use right away – No need to wait, homemade brown sugar can be used immediately in any recipe that calls for it.

FAQ: Homemade Brown Sugar

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE HOMEMADE BROWN SUGAR?

You only need two ingredients: granulated white sugar and molasses.

HOW DO I MAKE LIGHT VS. DARK BROWN SUGAR?

For light brown sugar, use less molasses: 1 tablespoon per cup of sugar. For dark brown sugar, use 2 tablespoons per cup of sugar for a deeper, richer flavor.

WHAT TYPE OF MOLASSES SHOULD I USE?

Unsulphured molasses is the most common choice. Avoid blackstrap molasses as it’s much stronger and more bitter, which can overpower your recipe.

HOW SHOULD I STORE HOMEMADE BROWN SUGAR?

Store it in an airtight container to keep it soft. If it hardens, place a slice of bread in the container for a few hours to help soften it again.

HOW LONG DOES HOMEMADE BROWN SUGAR LAST?

Homemade brown sugar will last indefinitely if stored properly in an airtight container. The sugar itself doesn’t spoil, but it can harden over time.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE HOMEMADE BROWN SUGAR FOR STORE-BOUGHT IN RECIPES?

Yes! Homemade brown sugar works exactly the same as store-bought in all recipes.

Try this brown sugar in my Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe!