Brown Sugar Substitute - Everything You Need to Know
Find the best substitutes for brown sugar including keto, diabetic-friendly, and baking alternatives. Learn proper ratios for cookies, cakes, and all recipes.
Quick Answer
The best brown sugar substitutes are white sugar + molasses (1:1 + 1-2 tbsp molasses), coconut sugar (1:1), or maple syrup (3/4 cup for 1 cup brown sugar). For keto, use erythritol or monk fruit. For diabetics, use stevia or erythritol.
Best Substitutes
White Sugar + Molasses
1 cup white sugar + 1-2 tbsp molasses per cupThe most accurate substitute that recreates brown sugar's exact flavor and texture. Perfect for all baking applications.
Best for:
Use 1 tablespoon molasses for light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons for dark brown sugar. Mix thoroughly before using.
Coconut Sugar
1:1Natural sweetener with similar caramel flavor and moisture content. Good for healthier baking and natural recipes.
Best for:
Coconut sugar has a slightly different flavor but similar caramel notes. May need to increase amount slightly for sweetness.
Maple Syrup
3/4 cup maple syrup = 1 cup brown sugarNatural liquid sweetener with rich flavor and moisture. Good for pancakes, waffles, and moist baked goods.
Best for:
Reduce other liquids in recipe by 3-4 tablespoons per cup of maple syrup used. Adds distinct maple flavor.
Honey
3/4 cup honey = 1 cup brown sugarNatural liquid sweetener with floral notes. Good for moist baked goods and when you want natural sweetness.
Best for:
Reduce other liquids by 3-4 tablespoons per cup of honey. Adds distinct floral flavor and helps with browning.
Erythritol + Molasses
1 cup erythritol + 1-2 tbsp molasses per cupZero-calorie sugar alcohol with molasses for keto and diabetic-friendly baking. No impact on blood sugar.
Best for:
Erythritol is about 70% as sweet as sugar, so you may need to increase amount. Add molasses for brown sugar flavor.
Monk Fruit + Molasses
1 cup monk fruit + 1-2 tbsp molasses per cupNatural zero-calorie sweetener with molasses for keto and diabetic-friendly baking. No impact on blood sugar.
Best for:
Monk fruit is very sweet, so use less than the recipe calls for. Add molasses for brown sugar flavor and color.
Stevia + Molasses
1 tsp stevia + 1-2 tbsp molasses per cupNatural zero-calorie sweetener with molasses for diabetic-friendly baking. Very sweet, so use sparingly.
Best for:
Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so use very little. Add molasses for brown sugar flavor and color.
Turbinado Sugar
1:1Raw cane sugar with natural molasses content. Similar to brown sugar but with larger crystals.
Best for:
Turbinado sugar has larger crystals than brown sugar but similar flavor. May need to grind for finer texture.
Cooking Tips
- π‘For the most accurate brown sugar substitute, use white sugar + molasses in a 1:1 ratio
- π‘When using liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, reduce other liquids in the recipe by 3-4 tablespoons per cup
- π‘For keto and diabetic-friendly options, erythritol + molasses works best for maintaining brown sugar flavor
- π‘Coconut sugar is a great natural alternative but may need to be increased slightly for sweetness
- π‘When substituting in cookies, the white sugar + molasses combination works best for texture and flavor
- π‘For chocolate chip cookies specifically, use white sugar + molasses for the best results
- π‘When using stevia or monk fruit, start with less than the recipe calls for and taste as you go
- π‘For baking, avoid using only white sugar as it will make baked goods less moist and less flavorful
- π‘When making brown sugar substitute, mix the molasses thoroughly with the white sugar for even distribution
- π‘For diabetic-friendly baking, erythritol and monk fruit are the best options as they don't affect blood sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute white sugar for brown sugar?
Yes, but white sugar alone won't provide the same moisture or caramel flavor. For best results, add 1-2 tablespoons of molasses per cup of white sugar to recreate brown sugar's properties.
What's the best brown sugar substitute for cookies?
For cookies, the best substitute is white sugar + molasses (1 cup white sugar + 1-2 tbsp molasses). This maintains the texture and flavor that makes cookies chewy and flavorful.
Can I use maple syrup instead of brown sugar?
Yes, you can use maple syrup as a brown sugar substitute. Use 3/4 cup maple syrup for every 1 cup brown sugar, and reduce other liquids in the recipe by 3-4 tablespoons.
What's the best keto substitute for brown sugar?
For keto diets, the best brown sugar substitute is erythritol + molasses (1 cup erythritol + 1-2 tbsp molasses). This provides zero calories and no impact on blood sugar while maintaining the brown sugar flavor.
Can I use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar?
Yes, coconut sugar is a great natural substitute for brown sugar. Use a 1:1 ratio, but note that it has a slightly different flavor and may need to be increased slightly for sweetness.
What's the best diabetic-friendly brown sugar substitute?
For diabetics, the best options are erythritol + molasses or monk fruit + molasses. These provide sweetness without affecting blood sugar levels and can be used in equal amounts to brown sugar.
Can I substitute honey for brown sugar?
Yes, you can substitute honey for brown sugar. Use 3/4 cup honey for every 1 cup brown sugar, and reduce other liquids in the recipe by 3-4 tablespoons. Honey will add a distinct floral flavor.
What's the difference between light and dark brown sugar?
Light brown sugar contains about 3.5% molasses, while dark brown sugar contains about 6.5% molasses. Dark brown sugar has a stronger molasses flavor and more moisture. You can substitute them for each other, but dark brown sugar will add more flavor.
Summary
Find the best substitutes for brown sugar including keto, diabetic-friendly, and baking alternatives. Learn proper ratios for cookies, cakes, and all recipes.