Out of Light brown sugar, one case
Light brown sugar substitute: baking & cooking
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Dark brown sugar
Same amount as the light brown sugar
The best light brown sugar substitutes are dark brown sugar (1:1), white sugar + molasses (1 cup white + 1 tbsp molasses), or coconut sugar (1:1). Dark brown sugar works well in most recipes with a stronger molasses flavor.
- Best for —
- baking
One casethe full light brown sugar card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of light brown sugar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dark brown sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 2 | White sugar + molassesbaking | 1 cup white sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses per 1 cup light brown sugar |
| 3 | White sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 4 | Coconut sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 5 | Turbinado sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 6 | Muscovado sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 7 | Maple syrupbaking | ¾ cup maple syrup per 1 cup light brown sugar |
| 8 | Honeybaking | ¾ cup honey per 1 cup light brown sugar |
Dark brown sugar
stronger molasses flavor · identical texture
Brown sugar with more molasses for deeper flavor and darker color
- Best for
- baking, cookies, cakes, muffins, sauces, marinades, all recipes
Good 1:1 substitute. Darker color and stronger molasses flavor. Works in all recipes that call for light brown sugar.
White sugar + molasses
identical to light brown sugar
Mix white sugar with molasses to recreate the exact flavor and moisture of light brown sugar
- Best for
- baking, cookies, cakes, muffins, sauces, when you want exact flavor match
- Prep
- Mix 1 cup white sugar with 1 tablespoon molasses until well combined and no lumps remain.
Most accurate substitute. Mix until well combined and no lumps remain. Adjust molasses to taste.
White sugar
sweet, no molasses flavor · similar texture
Refined sugar without molasses - works in most recipes
- Best for
- baking, cookies, cakes, emergency substitution, when molasses flavor isn't critical
No molasses flavor or color. Works well in most recipes but lacks the characteristic brown sugar taste.
Coconut sugar
caramel-like, slightly different
Natural sweetener with similar color and caramel-like flavor
- Best for
- baking, cookies, cakes, healthy alternatives, natural baking, sauces
- Texture
- similar to brown sugar
- Prep
- May need to adjust liquid in recipes.
Similar color and flavor. Slightly less sweet, may need to adjust liquid amounts in some recipes.
Turbinado sugar
mild molasses flavor
Raw sugar with similar color and mild molasses flavor
- Best for
- baking, cookies, cakes, muffins, sauces, when you want natural sugar
- Texture
- similar to brown sugar
- Prep
- May need to adjust liquid in recipes.
Similar color and flavor. May need to adjust liquid amounts in some recipes.
Muscovado sugar
rich molasses flavor
Unrefined sugar with rich molasses flavor and dark color
- Best for
- baking, cookies, cakes, sauces, when you want rich molasses flavor, specialty baking
- Texture
- similar to brown sugar
Rich molasses flavor and darker color. Works well in most recipes but has stronger flavor than light brown sugar.
Maple syrup
maple flavor
Natural sweetener with distinctive maple flavor and similar moisture
- Best for
- baking, cookies, cakes, when you want maple flavor, pancakes, waffles
- Texture
- liquid, adds moisture
- Prep
- Use ¾ cup maple syrup for every 1 cup light brown sugar. Reduce other liquids by 3 tablespoons.
Adds maple flavor instead of molasses. Reduce other liquids by 3 tablespoons per cup of maple syrup used.
Honey
honey flavor
Natural sweetener with floral flavor and similar moisture
- Best for
- baking, cookies, cakes, when you want honey flavor, breads, muffins
- Texture
- liquid, adds moisture
- Prep
- Use ¾ cup honey for every 1 cup light brown sugar. Reduce other liquids by 3 tablespoons.
Adds honey flavor instead of molasses. Reduce other liquids by 3 tablespoons per cup of honey used.
How it behaves in this recipe
- Baking
- In baking, dark brown sugar is the best substitute for light brown sugar. It provides similar moisture and texture, though with a stronger molasses flavor. For cookies, this will make them chewier and darker.
- Cookies
- For cookies, dark brown sugar works well as a substitute. It will make the cookies chewier and darker, but the texture and moisture content will be very similar to light brown sugar.
- Cakes
- In cakes, the difference between light and dark brown sugar is minimal in the final product. Dark brown sugar will add a slightly stronger molasses flavor and darker color.
- Sauces
- For sauces and glazes, dark brown sugar works well as a substitute. The stronger molasses flavor can actually enhance the depth of flavor in savory applications.
- Healthy
- For healthy alternatives, coconut sugar is the best substitute. It has a similar color and caramel-like flavor while being less processed than regular brown sugar.
Tips for substituting light brown sugar
10 tips- When substituting dark brown sugar for light brown sugar, expect a stronger molasses flavor and darker color in your finished product
- For the most accurate light brown sugar substitute, mix white sugar with molasses until well combined
- When using liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, reduce other liquids in the recipe by 3 tablespoons per cup used
- Coconut sugar and turbinado sugar work well in most recipes but may require slight adjustments to liquid amounts
- Muscovado sugar has a stronger molasses flavor than light brown sugar, so use it when you want that rich taste
- White sugar works as an emergency substitute but won't provide the characteristic molasses flavor or color
- For cookies, dark brown sugar will make them chewier and darker than light brown sugar
- In cakes and muffins, the difference between light and dark brown sugar is minimal in the final product
- Store homemade brown sugar substitutes in airtight containers to prevent hardening
- When making your own brown sugar substitute, mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of molasses
Notes on light brown sugar
- Demerara sugarSame amountRaw sugar with large crystals and mild molasses flavor
- Best for: Baking, when you want crunchy texture
- Palm sugarSame amountNatural sugar from palm trees with caramel flavor
- Best for: Asian cooking, natural baking
- Date sugarSame amountDried, ground dates with natural sweetness
- Best for: Healthy baking, when you want natural sweetness
- Stevia + molasses¼ cup stevia + 1 tbsp molasses per 1 cup light brown sugarZero-calorie sweetener with molasses for flavor
- Best for: Low-calorie baking, diabetic-friendly recipes
Questions
10 questionsCan I substitute dark brown sugar for light brown sugar?
Yes, dark brown sugar works well as a 1:1 substitute for light brown sugar. It has a stronger molasses flavor and darker color, but works in all recipes that call for light brown sugar.
Can I substitute light brown sugar for dark brown sugar?
Yes, light brown sugar can substitute for dark brown sugar in a 1:1 ratio. The result will have a milder molasses flavor and lighter color, but will work in most recipes.
What's the best substitute for light brown sugar in baking?
For baking, dark brown sugar is the best 1:1 substitute. For the most accurate flavor match, mix white sugar with molasses (1 cup white sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses).
Can I use white sugar instead of light brown sugar?
Yes, white sugar works as a 1:1 substitute for light brown sugar in most recipes. However, you'll lose the molasses flavor and color that brown sugar provides.
How do I make light brown sugar at home?
Mix 1 cup white sugar with 1 tablespoon molasses until well combined. Adjust the molasses amount to taste - more molasses for darker brown sugar, less for lighter.
What's the difference between light and dark brown sugar?
Light brown sugar has less molasses (about 3.5%) while dark brown sugar has more molasses (about 6.5%). This gives dark brown sugar a stronger flavor and darker color.
Can I substitute light brown sugar for white sugar?
Yes, light brown sugar can substitute for white sugar in a 1:1 ratio. It will add molasses flavor and color to your recipe, which may be desirable in many baked goods.
What's the best healthy substitute for light brown sugar?
Coconut sugar is the best healthy substitute for light brown sugar. It has a similar color and caramel-like flavor, and it's less processed than regular brown sugar.
Can I use muscovado sugar instead of light brown sugar?
Yes, muscovado sugar works as a 1:1 substitute for light brown sugar. It has a stronger molasses flavor and darker color, but works well in most recipes.
How do I substitute light brown sugar for cookies?
For cookies, dark brown sugar is the best substitute as it provides similar moisture and chewiness. White sugar + molasses also works well for the most accurate flavor match.