Updated 30 July 2026 · Written by Sofia Romano
You can make your own brown sugar by mixing white sugar with molasses: add 1 tablespoon of molasses to 1 cup of white sugar for light brown sugar, or 2 tablespoons for dark. In a pinch, plain white sugar works too, though you lose the molasses flavor and a little moisture.
Make it: 1 cup white sugar + 1 tbsp molasses (light) or 2 tbsp (dark). Plain white sugar works but loses the molasses taste.
Make Your Own Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is simply white sugar with molasses, so you can recreate it. Stir a tablespoon of molasses into a cup of white sugar for light brown, or two tablespoons for dark, mixing until evenly colored. This matches both the flavor and moisture of store-bought brown sugar.
Other Options
If you have no molasses, use maple syrup or honey for a similar depth, or just use white sugar and accept a milder taste and slightly drier bake. Learn the difference in light vs dark brown sugar, and see how many grams are in a cup of sugar. A kitchen scale keeps amounts exact.
Brown Sugar Substitutes (per 1 cup)
| Result | How to make it |
|---|---|
| Light brown | 1 cup white sugar + 1 tbsp molasses |
| Dark brown | 1 cup white sugar + 2 tbsp molasses |
| No molasses | 1 cup white sugar (milder flavor) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make brown sugar?
Mix 1 tablespoon of molasses into 1 cup of white sugar for light brown sugar, or 2 tablespoons for dark, stirring until evenly colored.
Can I use white sugar instead of brown sugar?
Yes, in equal amounts, but the bake will be a little less moist and will lack the molasses flavor. Adding a little molasses restores both.
