Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe (2-Ingredient Easy Method)

Why spend extra money on bags of brown sugar when you can make brown sugar right at home? This wonderful hack uses white granulated sugar and molasses to create both light brown sugar and darker brown sugar, depending on your personal preference.

Looking for more homemade pantry staples? Try my Homemade Powdered Sugar Recipe for another easy kitchen hack, or check out my Easy Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge that uses brown sugar as a key ingredient!

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses just two pantry staples – white sugar and unsulphured molasses. You don’t need to make a special trip to the grocery store for complicated ingredients.
• Perfect Consistency: Unlike store-bought brown sugar that can get hard and clumpy, this homemade version stays fresh and moist when stored properly in an airtight container. No more dealing with rock-hard brown sugar in the middle of baking!
• Cost Effective: Making brown sugar at home costs less than buying it pre-made. Plus, you control the molasses content and can adjust the flavor intensity to match your recipe needs.
• Quick and Easy: Ready in just 5 minutes using a food processor! This great recipe is perfect for busy parents who need brown sugar fast for Brown Sugar Cookies or other sweet treats.

Homemade Brown Sugar Ingredients

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

• White Granulated Sugar – Regular white sugar forms the base of this recipe. You can use cane sugar or sugar from sugar beets – both work perfectly. The sugar crystals provide the sweetness while the molasses adds moisture content and that signature brown color.
• Unsulphured Molasses – This liquid molasses is the key ingredient that transforms white sugar into brown sugar. Unsulphured molasses has a milder flavor than blackstrap molasses. You can find this dark molasses at any basic grocery store, and one jar of molasses will make many batches.

Substitutions and Additions

• For Darker Brown Sugar – Add an additional tablespoon of molasses for a more robust flavor and darker color. Some recipes call for up to 2 tablespoons of molasses per cup of sugar.
• Light Molasses Alternative – If you only have light molasses, use the same amount but expect a slightly milder flavor.
• Different Sweetener Options – Try coconut sugar, raw sugar, or caster sugar as alternatives to white granulated sugar, though the texture may vary slightly.
• Maple Syrup Substitute – In a pinch, you can replace molasses with maple syrup, but the flavor will be different and less traditional.

How to Make Homemade Brown Sugar (step-by-step directions)

STEP 1. Start by gathering your basic ingredients and making sure your food processor is clean and dry. Add the white granulated sugar and molasses to your food processor bowl. The molasses will seem like a small amount compared to the sugar, but it’s exactly the right ratio for perfect brown sugar. (Photos 1, 2 & 3)

STEP 2. Pulse the mixture on high speed for about 1 minute. You’ll see the molasses start to distribute throughout the sugar, creating that familiar brown color. Remove half the mixture and set aside in a mixing bowl. Continue blending the remaining sugar for another minute until no major clumps of molasses remain.

STEP 3. Transfer this batch to its own bowl, then process the reserved sugar mixture for another minute. This two-batch method ensures even distribution and the best results. Combine both batches and mix well. Your homemade brown sugar is ready to use! (Photo 4)

Recipe Tips

• Preventing Clumps – Add a slice of bread or damp paper towel to your brown sugar container to maintain moisture and to avoid hardening.
• Processor Size – Use a food processor that’s at least 6 cups in capacity. A hand mixer or stand mixer won’t work as well for this recipe.
• Molasses Quality – Stick with unsulphured molasses for the best flavor. Blackstrap molasses will create a much stronger, sometimes bitter flavor.

Storing Tips

• Storage – Keep your homemade brown sugar fresh by using proper storage methods to maintain that perfect moisture content.
• Airtight Container – Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 months. A brown sugar container with a tight-fitting lid works perfectly.
• Refrigerator Storage – For longer storage, keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. Let it come to room temperature before using in recipes.
• Freezing – Do not freeze brown sugar as it can affect the texture and moisture content when thawed.
• Softening Hard Sugar – If your sugar gets hard, place a piece of plastic wrap over it with a damp paper towel, or try the microwave method using a microwave-safe bowl with a few drops of water.

Serving Suggestions

This homemade brown sugar works perfectly in all your favorite recipes. Use it in my Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies for extra depth of flavor, or try it in savory dishes like barbecue sauce or glazed ham.

For sweet treats, this brown sugar shines in Pecan Pie, coffee cakes, and breakfast items like Make Ahead Overnight Steel Cut Oats. You can also use it in savory recipes where you want that hint of molasses flavor.

The homemade version works in different ways than store-bought – it tends to be more moist and flavorful, so you might find you need slightly less in some recipes. Start with the called-for amount and adjust to taste next time you make the recipe.

Recipe FAQs

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• Homemade Powdered Sugar
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• See all our basics recipes!