Out of Brown sugar, one case
Brown sugar substitute, in depth
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use White sugar + molasses
Per cup of brown sugar
1 cup white sugar + 1-2 tbsp molasses
The best brown sugar substitutes are white sugar + molasses (1:1 + 1-2 tbsp molasses), coconut sugar (1:1), or maple syrup (¾ cup for 1 cup brown sugar). For keto, use erythritol or monk fruit. For diabetics, use stevia or erythritol.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- baking
One casethe full brown sugar card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 cup brown sugar | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White sugar + molassesbaking | 1 cup white sugar + 1-2 tbsp molassesWorks | Works |
| 2 | Coconut sugarhealthier baking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Maple syruppancakes | ¾ cupYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 4 | Honeymoist baked goods | ¾ cupYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 5 | Erythritol + molassesketo diet | 1 cup erythritol + 1-2 tbsp molassesWorks | Works |
| 6 | Monk fruit + molassesketo diet | 1 cup monk fruit + 1-2 tbsp molassesWorks | Works |
| 7 | Stevia + molassesdiabetic-friendly | 1 tsp stevia + 1-2 tbsp molassesTweak it | Tweak it |
| 8 | Turbinado sugarwhen you want natural sugar | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
White sugar + molasses
identical taste and texture
The most accurate substitute that recreates brown sugar's exact flavor and texture. Good for all baking applications.
- Best for
- baking, cookies, cakes, when you want exact flavor, all recipes
Use 1 tablespoon molasses for light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons for dark brown sugar. Mix thoroughly before using.
Coconut sugar
similar taste and texture
Natural sweetener with similar caramel flavor and moisture content. Good for healthier baking and natural recipes.
- Best for
- healthier baking, natural recipes, cookies, cakes, when 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
different taste and texture
Natural liquid sweetener with rich flavor and moisture. Good for pancakes, waffles, and moist baked goods.
- Best for
- pancakes, waffles, muffins, when you want liquid sweetener, moist baked goods
Reduce other liquids in recipe by 3-4 tablespoons per cup of maple syrup used. Adds distinct maple flavor.
Honey
different taste and texture
Natural liquid sweetener with floral notes. Good for moist baked goods and when you want natural sweetness.
- Best for
- moist baked goods, when you want natural sweetener, cookies, muffins, breads
Reduce other liquids by 3-4 tablespoons per cup of honey. Adds distinct floral flavor and helps with browning.
Erythritol + molasses
similar taste and texture
Zero-calorie sugar alcohol with molasses for keto and diabetic-friendly baking. No impact on blood sugar.
- Best for
- keto diet, diabetic-friendly, low carb, when you want zero calories, sugar-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
similar taste and texture
Natural zero-calorie sweetener with molasses for keto and diabetic-friendly baking. No impact on blood sugar.
- Best for
- keto diet, diabetic-friendly, low carb, when 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
similar taste, different texture
Natural zero-calorie sweetener with molasses for diabetic-friendly baking. Very sweet, so use sparingly.
- Best for
- diabetic-friendly, when you want zero calories, sugar-free baking, low carb
Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so use very little. Add molasses for brown sugar flavor and color.
Turbinado sugar
similar taste, different texture
Raw cane sugar with natural molasses content. Similar to brown sugar but with larger crystals.
- Best for
- when you want natural sugar, cookies, cakes, when you want similar flavor, baking
Turbinado sugar has larger crystals than brown sugar but similar flavor. May need to grind for finer texture.
How it behaves in this recipe
Brown sugar is essential in baking for its moisture content, caramel flavor, and ability to create chewy textures in cookies and cakes. The recommended substitutes work because they provide similar moisture levels and flavor profiles, though each brings its own unique characteristics to recipes.
Tips for substituting brown sugar
10 tips- For the most accurate brown sugar substitute, use white sugar + molasses in a 1:1 ratio
- When using liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, reduce other liquids in the recipe by 3-4 tablespoons per cup
- For keto and diabetic-friendly options, erythritol + molasses works best for maintaining brown sugar flavor
- Coconut sugar is a great natural alternative but may need to be increased slightly for sweetness
- When substituting in cookies, the white sugar + molasses combination works best for texture and flavor
- For chocolate chip cookies specifically, use white sugar + molasses for the best results
- When using stevia or monk fruit, start with less than the recipe calls for and taste as you go
- For baking, avoid using only white sugar as it will make baked goods less moist and less flavorful
- When making brown sugar substitute, mix the molasses thoroughly with the white sugar for even distribution
- For diabetic-friendly baking, erythritol and monk fruit are the best options as they don't affect blood sugar
Notes on brown sugar
- For a completely different approach, try using date paste or date syrup for natural sweetness
- In some recipes, you can use applesauce or mashed banana for moisture and natural sweetness
- For a unique twist, try using blackstrap molasses for a deeper, more intense flavor
- In Asian cooking, consider using palm sugar or jaggery for similar caramel notes
Questions
8 questionsCan 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 ¾ 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 ¾ 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.