Brown Sugar Substitute
For 1 cup of brown sugar, use 1 cup granulated sugar + 2 tsp molasses. For dark brown sugar, use 1 tbsp molasses per cup. No need to premix — add both to the recipe together. Below: the swap scaled to the amounts recipes use.
For 1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar + 2 tsp molasses
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For dark brown sugar, use 1 tbsp molasses per cup. No need to premix — add both to the recipe together.
Data & method: from King Arthur Baking, “Substitute for brown sugar”. An automated test pins each ratio to its source. How we calculate →
Scaled to what your recipe calls for
Granulated sugar + molasses, computed for the amounts recipes actually use:
| Recipe needs | Use instead |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup of brown sugar | ¼ cup granulated sugar + ½ tsp molasses |
| ½ cup of brown sugar | ½ cup granulated sugar + 1 tsp molasses |
| ¾ cup of brown sugar | ¾ cup granulated sugar + 1½ tsp molasses |
| 1 cup of brown sugar | 1 cup granulated sugar + 2 tsp molasses |
| 1½ cups of brown sugar | 1½ cups granulated sugar + 1 tbsp molasses |
| 2 cups of brown sugar | 2 cups granulated sugar + 4 tsp molasses |
Need a different amount — or a different ingredient?
The calculator scales every option to your exact amount, for all 17 staples we cover.
Best swap Granulated sugar + molasses
1 cup granulated sugar + 2 tsp molasses
For dark brown sugar, use 1 tbsp molasses per cup. No need to premix — add both to the recipe together.
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Weighing instead? 1 cup of brown sugar in grams: 213 g →
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of brown sugar?
The best swap for 1 cup of brown sugar is 1 cup granulated sugar + 2 tsp molasses — for dark brown sugar, use 1 tbsp molasses per cup. No need to premix — add both to the recipe together. Source: King Arthur Baking, “Substitute for brown sugar”.
How much substitute do I use for a different amount of brown sugar?
Scale the parts linearly. The table on this page covers the common amounts, and the calculator scales every option to exactly what your recipe calls for — never a vague "adjust to taste".