Homemade Brown Sugar

Brown sugar adds wonderful flavor to many baked goods and savory dishes. It's always good to make sure you have enough of all the ingredients you will need before you start making a recipe, but if you find yourself without either light or dark brown sugar, there are ways to make them at home. Brown sugar is granulated sugar with molasses added; the darker the sugar, the more molasses and the stronger the flavor.

Homemade Brown Sugar How-To

1 Cup Light Brown Sugar

Combine 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses

1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar

Combine 1 cup granulated sugar with 1/4 cup molasses

Softening Brown Sugar

When brown sugar is exposed to air it can solidify as it loses moisture and become very hard. You can prevent this by limiting brown sugar's exposure to air and dry conditions. Store it in the refrigerator or a cool, dark place in a nontransparent, airtight sealable container. If your sugar still becomes hard, here are a few ways to soften it.

To Use the Brown Sugar Right Away:

1. Place brown sugar in a microwavable bowl.

2. Drape with one or two damp paper towels.

3. Cover bowl with plastic wrap.

4. Microwave on high for 10-second intervals until the sugar becomes soft.

5. Break apart with a fork and use right away.

To Use the Brown Sugar Later

1. Cover with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap, and let sit overnight at room temperature.

2. Place a wedge of apple or a slice of bread in the bag overnight. The sugar will absorb the moisture from these foods.

Resources

For more baking tips and recipes, check out "Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook."