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    Home » Recipes » Cooking How-to's

    How to Make Brown Sugar

    Published: Apr 12, 2025 · Modified: Apr 12, 2025 by Eileen Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    A Pinterest pin with text overlay for homemade brown sugar.

    Learn how to make homemade brown sugar using white sugar and molasses. Just 2 ingredients to this easy, affordable light brown sugar substitute to keep in the pantry.

    A mason jar filled with homemade brown sugar.

    For specifics on the recipe use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredient List
    • Equipment
    • How to Make Brown Sugar
    • Eileen's Tips for Success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Variations
    • Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ready to make a recipe and realize you don't have brown sugar, we have an easy substitute to make at home. So get going and prepare recipes that use brown sugar like pork chops and sauerkraut, overnight French toast, and Slow cooker Cowboy Beans.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Excellent substitute for brown sugar.
    • Timesaver: Made in under 5 minutes.
    • Affordable: 2 simple ingredients
    • Homemade is usually better than store-bought

    Ingredient List

    Two ingredients white sugar and molasses to make brown sugar.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • white granulated sugar
    • unsulphured molasses

    Equipment

    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Hand Mixer
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    How to Make Brown Sugar

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    A large mixing bowl with white sugar and molasses to make light brown sugar.
    1. Combine the sugar and molasses in a large mixing bowl.
    A large white mixing bowl with a combination of molasses and white sugar to make homemade brown sugar.
    1. Use a hand mixer to combine the ingredients until well blended
    An overhead view of a mason jar filled with homemade brown sugar.

    Homemade brown sugar can be used in any recipe calling for light brown sugar.

    Eileen's Tips for Success

    • If your brown sugar has hardened, place a slice of bread in the container with the brown sugar.
    • Close the lid tightly and let it sit for a day or two.
    • The sugar will absorb the moisture from the bread and soften the sugar.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use raw sugar for this recipe?

    Yes, you can use raw sugar for this homemade brown sugar recipe.

    How to make brown sugar with honey?

    If you don't have molasses handy, you can use honey instead. However, the brown sugar will not be as dark. It will taste slightly different.

    Mason jars filled with sugar, molasses, and homemade brown sugar.

    Variations

    Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.

    • Dark brown sugar: Double the molasses.
    • Honey: To make brown sugar using honey, the ratio is 1 Tablespoon honey to 1 cup sugar.

    Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips

    Storage - This recipe will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one month.

    Freezer: You can also freeze your brown sugar for up to 6 months. Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Let it thaw on the counter when you are ready to use it.

    A mason jar filled with homemade light brown sugar.

    Serving Suggestions

    Some of my favorite recipes using light brown sugar:

    • Apple Brownies
    • Candied Carrots
    • Apple Cherry Fritters
    • Chewy Chocolate Chips
    • Maple Bacon Cupcakes
    • Apricot Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham.

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    See all our dessert recipes

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    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

    Recipe originally published March 4, 2023. It has been updated for user experience. 

    📖 Recipe

    Brown sugar made with molasses in a mason jar.

    How to Make Brown Sugar

    Nothing is worse than in the middle of baking you realize there is no brown sugar in the cupboard. We have a quick, easy, and affordable solution to make your own brown sugar at home.
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    Course: Baking
    Cuisine: Caribbean
    Keyword: homemade brown sugar, how do you make brown sugar, how to make brown sugar
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 40 Tablespoons
    Calories: 51kcal
    Author: Eileen Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Hand Mixer
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
    • 2 Tablespoons unsulphured molasses

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    Instructions

    • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, using a hand mixer with beaters attached, or by hand using a whisk, blend together 2 ½ cups granulated sugar and 2 Tablespoons unsulphured molasses until well blended and no longer sticky.
    • Store in a covered airtight container for one month. Use as you would brown sugar.

    NOTES

    Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe. 
    Storage:
      • This recipe will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one month.
      • You can also freeze your brown sugar for up to 6 months. Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Let it thaw on the counter when you are ready to use it.
     
    I'm not a registered dietician, I do my best to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. 
     
     
    • Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Tablespoon | Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 15mg | Sugar: 13g | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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