How Much Sugar to Substitute for Brown Sugar
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Sugar comes across milder than Brown Sugar.
How much sugar equals one cup of brown sugar?
Use 1 1/4 cups white sugar per cup brown sugar.
Using sugar as a brown sugar substitute in baking
1 1/4 cups per cup; add molasses for color if needed.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1 1/4 cups per cup; melts fast. Watch for burning.
- Frying
1 1/4 cups per cup in sweet batters; less browning.
- Slow Cook
1 1/4 cups per cup; sauce stays lighter in color.
- Raw Cold
1 1/4 cups per cup in no-bake fillings.
- Drinks
1 1/4 cups per cup; dissolve in warm liquid first.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Grilling
1 1/4 cups per cup in dry rubs; less char flavor.
- Steaming
Not recommended: sugar doesn't set structure alone.
FAQ
- How much sugar equals one cup of brown sugar?
Use 1 1/4 cups white sugar per cup brown sugar.
- Can I substitute sugar for Brown Sugar in baking?
Yes. 1 1/4 cups per cup; add molasses for color if needed. 1 1/4 cups per cup in dry rubs; less char flavor.
- How much sugar to use as a brown sugar substitute?
Add molasses or honey for lost caramel notes.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Sugar for Brown Sugar?
Sugar comes across milder than brown sugar.
- How does texture change when substituting Sugar for Brown Sugar?
Sugar crisper cookies with lighter color and less chew.
- What else should I know about substituting Sugar for Brown Sugar?
For cookies, cakes, and rubs. Expect paler color, crisper edges, and less molasses chew. Skip recipes where molasses moisture and tang define the flavor, like gingerbread or barbecue sauce. Add 1 tbsp molasses per cup white sugar if you need depth. White sugar creams with butter more predictably.
- What still works when substituting Sugar for Brown Sugar?
Sugar still works as a sweetener, browning agent, preservative, and texture modifier.
- What won't work when substituting Sugar for Brown Sugar?
Sugar won't work as a humectant and flavor enhancer.
- How well does Sugar match Brown Sugar?
Sugar is good on structure, good on heat, and okay on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Sugar for Brown Sugar?
Overall, calories and fat are similar. Sugar has no protein, while brown sugar has some.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Sugar for Brown Sugar?
The flavor shifts toward less acidic and less umami notes.