Homemade Brown Sugar

There's nothing quite like the sweet flavor of brown sugar, and this tasty ingredient is a major component in numerous main dishes as well as sweet treats. Brown sugar from the grocery store is good, but it isn't nearly as good as the homemade variety. Did you know you could stir up a batch of homemade brown sugar in a matter of minutes? The homemade variety is delicious beyond words, and when included in your favorite recipes it will give them amazing flavor you never thought possible. After trying homemade brown sugar, you'll never want those sweet dark crystals from the store again.

Substitutes?

Many people stumble across homemade varieties when they're searching for substitutes. Instead of a suitable substitute, they discover they can create homemade brown sugar that's far better than the common variety sold in stores. Try the following easy recipe if you're in need of a substitute. If you keep the necessary ingredients on hand, you won't need a substitute ever again. You'll end up with a tasty variety that's far better than you ever thought possible, and you'll save money in the process.

Homemade is Best

Making homemade brown sugar is easier than you might think. You only need two ingredients. All you need is one cup of granulated sugar and one tablespoon of molasses. Thoroughly combine the ingredients using a fork, and store it in an airtight container until ready to use.

If you want darker brown sugar, use darker molasses or use up to two tablespoons for every cup of the granulated variety. Experiment with different varieties and amounts of molasses to achieve the desired flavor and intensity. Once you discover the right combination and amounts of ingredients to perfect the recipe to suit your taste, your once ordinary recipes containing brown sugar will become extraordinarily delicious.

I remember as a child asking for a little bit of brown sugar as a sweet and tasty treat. As it melted on my tongue I knew there wasn't anything quite as sweet. My grandmother kept a container of the sweet dark delicacy in her kitchen cabinet, and I knew right where it was. She would let me indulge in a tiny clump now and then, and I still occasionally sneak a little when baking in my kitchen. It brings back sweet memories of childhood that I'll never forget.

Soften Hardened Brown Sugar

All types of brown sugar can harden if not properly stored in an airtight container. It can become virtually unusable, but don't throw it away. If you've discovered your brown sugar is rock hard, take the necessary steps to soften it. It's easy to soften a container of hardened brown sugar immediately or overnight. Hard and once unusable brown sugar will become as soft as it was when freshly homemade.

Kitchen gadget stores sell a disc to keep brown sugar soft, but if your homemade brown sugar is already rock hard, simply place a piece of fresh bread on top of the hardened mass. Seal the container, and in the morning the bread will be hard and stale, and your homemade brown sugar will be soft, fresh, and once again useable.

For a quick fix, place an open microwave-safe container of brown sugar in the microwave next to an open cup of cool water. Microwave the water and brown sugar on high for about two minutes. This will immediately soften it, and when it cools you can use it in a recipe.