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Learning how to make homemade brown sugar is one of those simple kitchen skills that instantly makes baking more convenient. With just granulated sugar and molasses, you can create soft, flavorful brown sugar in minutes — no last-minute grocery trip required.
Whether you’re halfway through a cookie recipe or preparing a batch of banana bread, this quick pantry staple ensures you never have to pause your baking again.
If you enjoy making ingredients from scratch, be sure to check out our Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk and Easy Buttermilk Substitute — both are reader favorites and incredibly useful in everyday baking.
Stock your whole pantry with real, clean staples by following our Basic Baking Staples & more on our Kitchen Basics page!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 5 minutes
- Uses only 2 pantry ingredients
- Perfect substitute for store-bought brown sugar
- Easy to customize for light or dark brown sugar
- Soft texture ideal for cookies, cakes, and quick breads
- Saves money and reduces food waste
Once you start making it yourself, you may never go back to packaged brown sugar again.
Ingredients
- Granulated Sugar — The base that gives brown sugar its structure and sweetness.
- Molasses — Adds moisture, color, and that signature caramel-like flavor.
For Light Brown Sugar:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 TBSP molasses
For Dark Brown Sugar:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 TBSP molasses
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowl — Provides enough space to evenly blend the molasses into the sugar.
- Balloon whisk or Hand Mixer — Helps fully incorporate the molasses and eliminate clumps for a soft texture.
How to Make Homemade Brown Sugar
Making brown sugar is less about following steps and more about understanding texture.
Start by combining granulated sugar and molasses in a mixing bowl. As you blend, you’ll notice the sugar gradually transform from bright white crystals into a warm golden mixture. The goal is even distribution — no streaks of molasses and no dry pockets of sugar.
Using a fork or whisk works perfectly well, but a hand mixer can create an especially fluffy consistency that closely mirrors store-bought brown sugar.
Once fully combined, the sugar should feel soft, slightly moist, and easy to scoop. If you see small clumps, simply press them out with the back of a spoon.
That’s it — your brown sugar is ready to use immediately in any recipe.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
PrintEasy Homemade Brown Sugar
Learn how to make homemade brown sugar with just two pantry ingredients in minutes. This soft, flavorful brown sugar is perfect for baking cookies, quick breads, sauces, and more — and saves you a trip to the store when you run out.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup
- Category: Basics
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 TBSP molasses (for light brown sugar)
Optional for Dark Brown Sugar:
-
Add an additional 1 TBSP molasses
Instructions
- Add the granulated sugar to a mixing bowl.
- Pour the molasses over the sugar.
- Using a fork, whisk, or hand mixer, blend until the molasses is fully incorporated and the sugar turns an even golden brown color.
- Break up any clumps with the back of a spoon until the texture is soft and fluffy.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
-
For light brown sugar: Use 1 TBSP molasses.
-
For dark brown sugar: Use 2 TBSP molasses for deeper flavor and richer color.
-
If your brown sugar hardens, place a slice of bread or a marshmallow in the container overnight to restore moisture.
-
A hand mixer creates the smoothest texture, but a fork works perfectly for small batches.
Tips for Success
- Use fresh molasses for the best flavor and moisture.
- Mix thoroughly to prevent streaking.
- Adjust molasses to control richness — more molasses creates deeper flavor.
- If making a large batch, a hand mixer saves time.
Storage & Reheating
Store:
Keep homemade brown sugar in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.
Rehydrate (if it hardens):
Place a slice of bread or a marshmallow in the container overnight to restore softness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homemade brown sugar the same as store-bought?
Yes — most commercial brown sugar is simply granulated sugar with molasses added back in after processing.
Can I use this in baking recipes exactly the same way?
Absolutely. Substitute it 1:1 in cookies, cakes, sauces, and quick breads.
What’s the difference between light and dark brown sugar?
Dark brown sugar contains more molasses, giving it a deeper flavor and slightly higher moisture content.
Can I make this without molasses?
Molasses is what creates true brown sugar. Without it, the flavor and texture will not be the same.
Variations & Serving Ideas
Homemade brown sugar is incredibly versatile. Try it in:
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Banana bread
- Baked oatmeal
- Apple crisp
- BBQ sauces
- Cinnamon rolls
It also pairs beautifully with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Final Thoughts
Mastering simple pantry staples is one of the easiest ways to become more confident in the kitchen. Recipes like this prove that from-scratch cooking doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes it’s actually faster than running to the store.
Building a collection of reliable basics also makes baking more enjoyable, more flexible, and far less stressful.
If you’re stocking your kitchen, don’t miss these helpful guides:
👉 Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk
👉 Easy Buttermilk Substitute
Together, these recipes form the foundation of a well-prepared baking kitchen.
If you make it please consider leaving a review. We love to see your posts! Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok! @ourgratefulkitchen
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