🍯 Sweeteners

Brown Sugar Substitute: Light & Dark Sugar Guide

Discover the best brown sugar substitutes for baking and cooking. Complete guide to alternatives that provide the same moisture, flavor, and caramel notes.

✓

Quick Answer

The best brown sugar substitutes are white sugar + molasses, coconut sugar, or date sugar. For light brown sugar, use 1 cup white sugar + 1 tsp molasses. For dark brown sugar, use 1 cup white sugar + 2 tsp molasses.

Best Substitutes

White Sugar + Molasses

1 cup brown sugar = 1 cup white sugar + 1-2 tsp molasses

The most accurate brown sugar substitute. Mix white sugar with molasses to recreate the exact flavor and moisture of brown sugar.

Best for:

cookiescakessaucesmarinadesall recipes

Best substitute, light brown: 1 tsp molasses, dark brown: 2 tsp molasses

Coconut Sugar

1:1

Natural sugar from coconut palm with caramel-like flavor similar to brown sugar. Slightly less sweet but works well in most recipes.

Best for:

cookiescakesmuffinsnatural bakingsauces

Natural, caramel flavor, slightly less sweet, works well in most recipes

Date Sugar

1:1

Natural sugar made from dried dates with rich caramel flavor. May not dissolve completely in liquids but works well in baked goods.

Best for:

cookiesmuffinsnatural bakingsauces

Natural, made from dried dates, caramel flavor, may not dissolve completely

Muscovado Sugar

1:1

Unrefined brown sugar with stronger molasses flavor and more moisture than regular brown sugar. More expensive but excellent quality.

Best for:

cookiescakessaucesmarinadespremium baking

Unrefined brown sugar, stronger molasses flavor, more expensive

Turbinado Sugar

1:1

Raw sugar with light caramel flavor and larger crystals. Less moisture than brown sugar but works well in many recipes.

Best for:

cookiestoppingsbeverageslight baking

Raw sugar, light caramel flavor, larger crystals, less moisture

Maple Syrup + White Sugar

1 cup brown sugar = 3/4 cup white sugar + 1/4 cup maple syrup

Combination that provides moisture and caramel flavor. Adds distinctive maple taste to baked goods.

Best for:

cookiescakesmuffinsmaple-flavored recipes

Adds maple flavor, reduces other liquids by 1/4 cup

Honey + White Sugar

1 cup brown sugar = 3/4 cup white sugar + 1/4 cup honey

Combination that provides moisture and sweetness. Adds floral honey flavor to baked goods.

Best for:

cookiescakesmuffinshoney-flavored recipes

Adds floral flavor, reduces other liquids by 1/4 cup

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For light brown sugar: Mix 1 cup white sugar with 1 teaspoon molasses
  • 💡For dark brown sugar: Mix 1 cup white sugar with 2 teaspoons molasses
  • 💡Coconut sugar works well as a 1:1 replacement in most recipes
  • 💡Date sugar may not dissolve completely in liquids - best for baked goods
  • 💡Muscovado sugar has stronger flavor - use less if you want milder taste
  • 💡Turbinado sugar has larger crystals - may need to be ground for some recipes
  • 💡When using liquid sweeteners, reduce other liquids by 1/4 cup
  • 💡Brown sugar adds moisture to baked goods - alternative sweeteners should too
  • 💡For cookies, brown sugar helps with spreading - choose moist alternatives
  • 💡For cakes, brown sugar adds tenderness - use alternatives that provide moisture
  • 💡Store homemade brown sugar substitutes in airtight containers
  • 💡Brown sugar can be made ahead and stored for up to 6 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best brown sugar substitutes for baking and cooking. Complete guide to white sugar + molasses, coconut sugar, and date sugar with proper ratios and tips.