🍯 Sweeteners

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.

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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 cup

The most accurate substitute that recreates brown sugar's exact flavor and texture. Perfect for all baking applications.

Best for:

bakingcookiescakeswhen you want exact flavorall recipes

Use 1 tablespoon molasses for light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons for dark brown sugar. Mix thoroughly before using.

Coconut Sugar

1:1

Natural sweetener with similar caramel flavor and moisture content. Good for healthier baking and natural recipes.

Best for:

healthier bakingnatural recipescookiescakeswhen you want natural sweetener

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 sugar

Natural liquid sweetener with rich flavor and moisture. Good for pancakes, waffles, and moist baked goods.

Best for:

pancakeswafflesmuffinswhen you want liquid sweetenermoist baked goods

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 sugar

Natural liquid sweetener with floral notes. Good for moist baked goods and when you want natural sweetness.

Best for:

moist baked goodswhen you want natural sweetenercookiesmuffinsbreads

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 cup

Zero-calorie sugar alcohol with molasses for keto and diabetic-friendly baking. No impact on blood sugar.

Best for:

keto dietdiabetic-friendlylow carbwhen you want zero caloriessugar-free baking

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 cup

Natural zero-calorie sweetener with molasses for keto and diabetic-friendly baking. No impact on blood sugar.

Best for:

keto dietdiabetic-friendlylow carbwhen you want natural zero-calorie sweetener

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 cup

Natural zero-calorie sweetener with molasses for diabetic-friendly baking. Very sweet, so use sparingly.

Best for:

diabetic-friendlywhen you want zero caloriessugar-free bakinglow carb

Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so use very little. Add molasses for brown sugar flavor and color.

Turbinado Sugar

1:1

Raw cane sugar with natural molasses content. Similar to brown sugar but with larger crystals.

Best for:

when you want natural sugarcookiescakeswhen you want similar flavorbaking

Turbinado sugar has larger crystals than brown sugar but similar flavor. May need to grind for finer texture.

Cooking Tips

  • πŸ’‘For the most accurate brown sugar substitute, use white sugar + molasses in a 1:1 ratio
  • πŸ’‘When using liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, reduce other liquids in the recipe by 3-4 tablespoons per cup
  • πŸ’‘For keto and diabetic-friendly options, erythritol + molasses works best for maintaining brown sugar flavor
  • πŸ’‘Coconut sugar is a great natural alternative but may need to be increased slightly for sweetness
  • πŸ’‘When substituting in cookies, the white sugar + molasses combination works best for texture and flavor
  • πŸ’‘For chocolate chip cookies specifically, use white sugar + molasses for the best results
  • πŸ’‘When using stevia or monk fruit, start with less than the recipe calls for and taste as you go
  • πŸ’‘For baking, avoid using only white sugar as it will make baked goods less moist and less flavorful
  • πŸ’‘When making brown sugar substitute, mix the molasses thoroughly with the white sugar for even distribution
  • πŸ’‘For diabetic-friendly baking, erythritol and monk fruit are the best options as they don't affect blood sugar

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best substitutes for brown sugar including keto, diabetic-friendly, and baking alternatives. Learn proper ratios for cookies, cakes, and all recipes.