Brown Sugar Substitutes

Best substitute

1 cup white sugar + 1 Tbsp molasses (2 Tbsp for dark) per 1 cup brown sugar

Pulse or rub together until evenly moist and clump-free.

All tested swaps

White sugar + molasses

cookies, sauces, anywhere brown sugar is called for

1 cup white sugar + 1 Tbsp molasses (2 Tbsp for dark) per 1 cup brown sugar

Pulse or rub together until evenly moist and clump-free.

Why it works

Brown sugar is simply white sugar with molasses added back for moisture and that caramel note. Adding molasses recreates it precisely.

Common mistake

Swapping plain white sugar 1:1 — you lose the moisture and molasses, giving crisper, blander results.

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