Brown Sugar Substitute (And How to Make Your Own)
The best brown sugar substitute is one you can make: mix 1 cup of white sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses (2 for dark brown). Brown sugar is literally white sugar with molasses added back in, so this gives you the real thing in a minute. No molasses? White sugar alone works in a pinch — here’s exactly what changes.
The Quick Version
- Make it: 1 cup white sugar + 1 tbsp molasses (light) or 2 tbsp (dark).
- No molasses? Use white sugar straight, or sub maple syrup/honey for the molasses.
- White-for-brown 1-to-1 works but loses some chew and color.
- It’s instant — just mix until evenly moist.
How to make brown sugar
- Put 1 cup white sugar in a bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon molasses for light brown, 2 for dark.
- Mix with a fork or rub with your fingers until evenly tan and moist.
Foolproof tip: rubbing the molasses in with your fingertips blends it faster and more evenly than a spoon, giving you that classic soft, sandy brown-sugar texture.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make brown sugar?
Mix 1 cup white sugar with 1 tbsp molasses (light) or 2 tbsp (dark) until evenly moist. That’s all brown sugar is.
What if I have no molasses?
Use white sugar straight (slightly less moist/chewy), or sub ~1 tbsp maple syrup or honey for the molasses.
Can I swap white sugar for brown?
Yes, 1-to-1 — you’ll lose some chew, moisture and color. Adding molasses or maple syrup brings it closer.
DIY Brown Sugar Substitute
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add the white sugar and molasses to a bowl.
- Mix with a fork (or rub with your fingers) until the molasses is fully blended and the sugar looks evenly tan and moist.
- Use 1-to-1 in place of brown sugar. Use 1 tablespoon molasses for light brown sugar, 2 for dark.
More baking help
See our full baking substitutions cheat sheet, or swaps like buttermilk and cake flour.
