It works well in cakes, gingerbread, pickles and chutneys. The Test: Swap the 50% white sugar + 50% light brown sugar, originally in the recipe, for 100% dark brown sugar. healthierkitchen June 8, 2011 I rarely bake recipes that are too particular and I've subbed in light for dark without changing any liquid. Dark brown sugar from white sugar: Measure 1 cup of granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of molasses into a mixing bowl.Stir with a fork until completely mixed. Light Brown Sugar. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Stir with a fork until completely mixed. The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. And can you interchange the two sugars? And the amount of molasses is what distinguishes light brown (less molasses) from dark brown (more). Whipped cream is a fresh alternative to heavier icings, especially when it's warm outside. It is a milder alternative to the deeper flavor notes and darker color that dark brown sugar brings. The Difference Between Dark and Light Brown Sugar. Choose this option if you want to reduce the molasses taste in your baked goods by cutting the dark brown sugar with white as a replacement for light brown. Thank you! Recipe ingredients are for light brown sugar. Oops! The difference between light and dark brown sugar is simply the amount of molasses added. Both light and dark brown sugar contain molasses, but dark brown sugar has more. -For each 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar called for in a recipe, use 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses plus 1 cup granulated sugar. Along with the increased amount of molasses comes a deeper, darker color, slightly more moisture and acidity, and a stronger flavor with more pronounced caramel undertones. Because of the increased amount of molasses, dark brown sugar has a darker and deeper color with a stronger flavor. The latter has a higher percentage of molasses. 3.Light brown sugar contains 3.5 per cent of molasses, and dark brown sugar contains about 6.5 per cent molasses. Both light and dark brown sugar contain molasses, but dark brown sugar contains more. When exposed to air, the moisture in brown sugar evaporates, resulting in hard brown sugar. So, dark brown sugar has a more intense taste and flavor than light brown sugar. The darker the brown sugar, the more molasses it contains. The two most common brown sugars are light brown and dark brown. 4.Light brown sugar is more commonly used than dark brown sugar. Generally it means light brown sugar should be used. Light brown sugar is a flavorful sweetener used in baked goods and other foods ranging from oatmeal and banana bread to barbecue sauce. That’s why measurements generally specify “packed.” Many recipes simply call for “brown sugar” in the ingredient list, so pick one type of brown sugar to keep in your pantry and bake freely. If your household uses a lot of light brown sugar, you may find yourself out of it right when you need it most. To make light brown sugar from dark brown sugar: -To make light brown sugar from dark brown sugar, use 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Not really. Your recipe for sweet potato casserole calls for dark brown sugar, and you only have light. That’s the molasses in brown sugar that makes the color darker or lighter. They can be used interchangeably depending on your … These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback, 23 beautiful, uplifting, and heartfelt sentiments for your loved ones. Brown sugar – has a recognizable color. Contrarily, baking with white sugar will result in a lighter-colored product. Swapping the two will also affect the recipe's taste and color. 6.Unlike the light brown sugar, dark brown sugar gives a deep color to baked foods. Measure and use as soon as sugar becomes soft. Directions: In a medium sized bowl, mix together sugar and molasses. Brown sugar will harden again when cool. All other variables kept as-is. Keep mixing until the molasses is no longer globby. Light brown sugar has a delicate flavor while dark brown sugar has a stronger more intense molasses flavor. The light brown sugar contains up to 3.5% molasses. For the most part, dark and light brown sugars can be used interchangeably in recipes, since dark brown sugar simply has a slighter higher molasses content. As such, muscovado sugar is usually slightly more expensive than plain ‘brown sugar’, which is more refined. The biggest difference between brown sugar and white sugar is perhaps the taste and flavor. The main difference between dark brown sugar and light brown sugar is that the light one has fewer molasses than the dark one. The darker the brown sugar, the more molasses it contains. Its sweetness is tempered by the addition of bitter molasses, which contributes fructose, glucose, amino acids, and minerals, too. Still, the difference is very minor and should not keep you from carrying through with your baking project. On the flip side, brown sugar can deepen, brighten and slightly sweeten a wonderful savory dish. Dark brown sugar has a deeper molasses flavor, and of course, a deeper color. Brown sugar plays a starring role in some of our most savory recipes like our Firecracker Shrimp Kabobs, Baby Back Ribs with Brown Sugar Spice Dry Rub and our Brown Sugar Rubbed Beer Can Roasted Turkey. The Results: A … This helps dark brown sugar have a deeper, more complex flavor that’s closer to toffee or caramel. ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter. Brown sugar gives these desserts a taste like no other: Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting. Dark Brown vs. Light Brown Sugar. Light and dark muscovado sugar: relatively unrefined, with much or all of the molasses still remaining. Along with the increased amount of molasses comes a deeper, darker color, slightly more moisture and acidity, and a stronger flavor with more pronounced caramel undertones. Light brown sugar from white sugar and molasses: Measure 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of molasses into a mixing bowl. It's easy -- the short answer is molasses. For dark brown sugar, that amount is nearly doubled—6.5% molasses. To make the equivalent of 1 cup of dark brown sugar, add 2 Tablespoons of molasses to 1 cup of granulated sugar and pulse three or four times in a food processor. Dark brown sugar is … Light brown sugar contains a small amount of molasses, while dark brown sugar provides more. Join the discussion today. Light And Dark Brown Sugar. The differences between various brown sugars lie, primarily, in how much molasses each contains. Brown sugar is a staple in cookie and cake recipes like these: Carrot Cake Cookies, Pecan Pie Cake and Pineapple Upside Down Cake. It has more bitter notes than other sugars, and is reminiscent of treacle in flavour. Light brown sugar, more versatile than dark brown sugar, is roughly 95% sucrose. However, more molasses does mean dark brown sugar has slightly higher levels of acidity and moisture. So -- when a recipe calls for "brown sugar," what should you use? Ingredients: Light Brown Sugar 1 cup granulated cane sugar 1 tablespoon unsulfured molasses. Remember, the brown sugar so produced is not natural as opposed to common perception that it is natural. More molasses, however, means dark brown sugar has slightly higher levels of acidity and moisture which might cause a batch of cookies to rise a bit higher and taste more caramel-y than those made with light brown sugar. Brown sugar is simply granulated "white" sugar that has been combined with pure cane molasses. If you find that your brown sugar has hardened, you can easily take it back to its soft, fluffy form. 5.When dark brown sugar is used, it makes cookies chewier as it contains more moisture. This helps dark brown sugar have a more deep, complex flavor … Or you need light for your favorite Christmas cookies, and you wonder how much the recipe will be altered if you use dark, instead. Place a slice of apple or a moist paper towel in the bag or container with the hardened brown sugar. Your submission has been received! All other variables kept as-is. It also bumps up the nutritional value of brown sugar and supplies a small amount of several k… … Does this mean that now you need to keep two types of brown sugar on hand? Once you add the sugar to the butter, stir vigorously until the butter is absorbed.  Many grocery stores also stock golden brown sugar, which falls somewhere in between light and dark. For the most part, dark and light brown sugars can be used interchangeably in recipes, as technically dark brown sugar simply has a slighter higher molasses content. This is done by reintroducing molasses, mostly keeping it to 3.5% to 6.5% by volume. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. The coating adds moisture — brown sugar can contain as much as 35 percent more water than white sugar — and it traps air, so brow sugar is fluffier. Dark brown sugar has a very strong molasses flavor, while light brown sugar is a little drier and has a much milder flavor. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. Swapping white sugar for brown sugar in recipes will affect the color of foods, giving a light-caramel or brown hue. It can be made in two ways. Seal and let sit for 24 hours. Dark Brown Sugar 1 cup granulated cane sugar 2 tablespoons unsulfured molasses. Molasses is the dark brown, viscous byproduct from processing sugarcane juice to promote sugar crystallization. For light brown sugar, that usually means 3.5% molasses. Making your own brown sugar is so simple and easy and it tastes exactly like store-bought! Dark brown sugar has 6.5 percent content of molasses while light brown sugar only has 3.5 percent content. Normally, the light brown sugar contains 3.5% molasses, and the dark brown sugar has 6.5% molasses, which is nearly doubled the light one. To make brown sugar, the sugar is refined and some of that molasses is returned to it to make the sugar brown. For dark brown sugar, simply use 2 tablespoons of molasses for every 1 cup of white sugar. Light brown sugar and dark brown sugar differ in appearance and that difference has to do with molasses content. The darker the brown sugar, the more molasses it contains. Helpful hints for making Brown Sugar Toffee: Use either light or dark brown sugar to make this candy. Manufacturers use refined white sugar to make it brown sugar. For dark brown sugar, that amount is nearly doubled—6.5% molasses. Both light and dark brown sugar contain molasses, but dark brown sugar contains more. When a recipe calls for "brown sugar," it is usually referring to light brown sugar. To make light brown sugar, add 1 tablespoon of molasses to 1 cup of granulated sugar and pulse. You can learn more about light brown sugar and dark brown sugar on our website in the Sugar 101 section as well as in the following video. You need an account to like and rate recipes, comment, and share a recipe with the community. Light brown sugar has less molasses per total volume of sugar (about 3.5% according to Rose Levy Beranbaum) while dark brown sugar has more (6.5%). I'm also known for increasing the amount of brown sugar or using all brown sugar on purpose because I adore the flavor of molasses. If you have ever been in the middle of a baking project only to realize you don’t have the right kind of brown sugar, you are definitely not alone. Honestly, there are many times I have used whichever brown sugar I had on hand–dark or light–and didn’t flinch; it never seemed to impact the outcome of my baked item. Light brown sugar is the most common of the five sugars we'll … Dark brown sugar contains up to 6.5% molasses. One has a bit more molasses than the other, that is all. Replace each cup of packed light brown sugar with 2/3 cup of packed dark brown sugar and 1/3 cup white sugar. This is thanks to its low refining – and labor-intensive – process. Southern Living is a registered trademark of, These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021, 7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020, 50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime. For light brown sugar, that usually means 3.5% molasses. You can choose either light brown or dark brown sugar. You can even prepare your own brown sugar. Still, the amount of molasses is usually less than that of muscovado sugar. So just what is the difference between dark brown sugar and light brown sugar, and why should it matter? Place hardened brown sugar in a food processor or blender and process until usable. The difference between light and dark brown sugar is simply the amount of molasses each contains. And the main difference between light and dark brown sugars is the amount of molasses that has been added, dark brown sugar having a higher amount. Dark brown soft sugar: looks as its name suggests, and has a richer flavour. For light brown sugar, that usually means 3.5% molasses. You won't believe your taste buds when you bite into these brown sugar delights. Something went wrong while submitting the form, The Difference Between Light Brown Sugar and Dark Brown Sugar, How to Make and Decorate with Whipped Cream, How To Make Back-To-School Apple Decorated Sugar Cookies, 10 Tips to Make Heavenly Angel Food Cakes, Baby Back Ribs with Brown Sugar Spice Dry Rub, Brown Sugar Rubbed Beer Can Roasted Turkey. For dark brown sugar, that amount is nearly doubled—6.5% molasses! The addition of molasses gives the sugar a dark color and rich, caramel-like flavor. It’s essentially a coating, thicker in dark brown sugar and thinner in light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar actually contains nearly twice as much molasses as … Most brown sugar available in supermarkets is refined white sugar that has molasses added after refining. Most brown sugar available at the grocery store is actually refined white sugar that has been mixed with that classic Southern sweetener, molasses. This helps dark brown sugar have a deeper, more complex flavor that’s closer to toffee or caramel. The more the molasses, the more intense the taste and flavor becomes. Place hard brown sugar in an open microwave-safe container with 1/2 cup of water in a second container and microwave for 1-3 minutes until soft. In a pinch, dark brown sugar can be substituted for light brown; however, when baking recipes sensitive to moisture and density (such as cakes) the difference in moisture content between can affect how well the cake rises. To avoid this, store your brown sugar in an airtight container in a cool area. Muscovado sugar is a type of brown sugar that is heavy on molasses. You'll never run out of brown sugar if you keep two simple ingredients on hand: white granulated sugar and molasses. But what about desserts where brown sugar plays a starring role? Read the Can I use demerara sugar instead of regular brown sugar? Baking minds want to know: What is the difference between light brown sugar and dark brown sugar? Brown sugar has a high mineral content and can easily add stronger flavor to your water kefir. 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