Brown sugar substitute
Out of brown sugar? Here are 4 swaps that work, with exact amounts scaled to your recipe.
The best brown sugar substitutes
Brown sugar is white sugar with molasses. The molasses adds caramel flavor and moisture, which makes cookies chewy. The best all-round swap is white sugar + molasses: use 2 tbsp molasses for dark brown sugar. Mix with a fork until even.
| Substitute | For 1 cup packed brown sugar, use | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| White sugar + molasses | 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp molasses | Anything |
| Coconut sugar | 1 cup coconut sugar | Cookies, crumbles, oatmeal |
| White sugar alone | 1 cup granulated sugar | Crisp cookies |
| Maple syrup | 3/4 cup maple syrup | Oatmeal, glazes, quick breads |
How to choose
- Match the jobThink about what brown sugar does in your recipe, then pick the swap listed for that kind of dish.
- Scale the amountEnter your recipe's amount in the tool above and every swap rescales automatically.
- Check the tagsGreen Healthier swaps cut calories or add protein. Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free swaps are tagged too.
Missing something else? The full ingredient substitute finder covers 20 ingredients, and our recipe calorie calculator shows how a swap changes your recipe's nutrition.
Frequently asked questions
What can I use instead of brown sugar?
The best substitute for 1 cup packed brown sugar is white sugar + molasses: 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp molasses. Use 2 tbsp molasses for dark brown sugar. Mix with a fork until even.
How do I make brown sugar?
Mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tbsp molasses for light brown sugar, or 2 tbsp for dark.
Can I use white sugar instead of brown sugar?
Yes, 1:1. Cookies will be crisper and paler and lose a little caramel flavor.
References
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