Brown Sugar Substitute
Don't have brown sugar? Here's exactly how to make your own from what you've got.
Real substitutes for 1 cup of brown sugar
Granulated sugar + molasses
1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses (light) or 2 tablespoons (dark)
Mix until evenly combined; this is essentially how brown sugar is made in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of brown sugar?
Mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses for light brown sugar, or 2 tablespoons for dark brown sugar. This is essentially how brown sugar is manufactured in the first place, so the result is very close to the real thing.
Does the substitute taste different?
Not meaningfully — molasses is the ingredient that gives brown sugar its flavor and color, so mixing it into granulated sugar recreates both.
Can I use white sugar with no molasses instead?
You can in a pinch, but the result will lack brown sugar's characteristic moisture and slight caramel flavor, and baked goods may turn out a little drier.