Making homemade brown sugar is super simple and requires only two ingredients: white granulated sugar and molasses. Here’s a detailed step-by-step recipe to make tan/light brown sugar at home.
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🍯 Homemade Tan (Light) Brown Sugar Recipe
🧂 Ingredients:
1 cup white granulated sugar
1 tablespoon unsulfured molasses (like Grandma’s or Brer Rabbit brand)
> ✅ This ratio makes light brown sugar (also called tan brown sugar).
➕ Want it darker? Use 2 tablespoons molasses per cup for dark brown sugar.
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🥣 Instructions:
1. Choose Your Mixing Method:
You can mix by:
Hand (in a bowl) – Good for small batches
Stand mixer – Best for larger amounts
Food processor – Fast and thorough
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2. Combine the Ingredients:
In a bowl (by hand):
Add 1 cup white sugar.
Pour 1 tablespoon molasses over the sugar.
Use a fork or the back of a spoon to mash and mix the molasses into the sugar.
Stir and mix well until the molasses is evenly distributed and the sugar has a soft, moist, crumbly texture.
In a stand mixer:
Add both ingredients to the bowl.
Mix on medium-low until fully incorporated (2–3 minutes).
In a food processor:
Add sugar and molasses.
Pulse until fully combined (20–30 seconds). Scrape sides if needed.
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3. Check Consistency:
It should look and feel like store-bought brown sugar—soft, clumpy, and slightly moist.
If it seems too dry: Add 1/2 tsp more molasses.
If too wet/sticky: Add 1–2 tablespoons more sugar and mix again.
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🧺 Storage Tips:
Store in an airtight container or a ziplock bag.
To keep it soft: Add a slice of bread, a marshmallow, or a clay brown sugar saver.
Shelf life: Several months if stored well in a cool, dry place.
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🔄 Scaling the Recipe:
Sugar Molasses Result
1 cup 1 tbsp Light brown sugar
1 cup 2 tbsp Dark brown sugar
1/2 cup 1/2 tbsp Light brown sugar
2 cups 2 tbsp Light brown sugar
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Would you like a printable version or to convert this into metric units?