Brown sugar is a versatile sweetener that is beloved by bakers. Produced differently. The cookie batter should be somewhat thick. As always, it will depend on what you’re making. Brown sugar is better in the baking process. fat), 22 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein, 132 mg sodium, 27 mg cholesterol, 1 gram fiber. Sometimes called nib sugar or hail sugar, pearl sugar is a variety of white sugar that … If a recipe calls for light brown sugar and you’re out, mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon molasses. This dry, free-flowing, pale golden sugar has a mild molasses flavor and makes an excellent sanding sugar for bakery products. Splenda Sugar Blend and Brown Sugar Blend Sweeteners each contain pure sugar (sucrose) and Splenda Original Sweetener (sucralose). A quick online search unveils a lot of debate around whether or not you can substitute brown and white sugar interchangeably when baking. And brown sugar contains white sugar crystals as well, but it also contains molasses which gives the brown color the dark color. Brown sugar can be swapped for white in some recipes, however, since brown sugar contains molasses, it will affect the texture of the baked good, so other ingredient amounts might have to … Even the most math-challenged of bakers should be able to handle it. Brown Sugar vs. White Sugar: What’s the Difference? Have a question? Light brown sugar has a a softer texture and flavor, while dark brown sugar has more of a molasses flavor. If a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of granulated white sugar, substitute 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. 3. Brown sugar is white sugar that has had cane molasses added to it. Sanding sugar is clear and sparkly, and its extra-large crystals will not melt in the oven. So brown sugar has equal health risk factors like white sugar and must not to be recommended for diabetic patients or to … So if your recipe calls for 1 cup white sugar, swap 1 cup brown sugar. Like baking soda, sugar is abrasive, although slightly more so 2. We therefore find brown or dark brown sugar. Two popular types of raw sugar are Demerara, from the area of the same name in Guyana, and Turbinado, which simply means "of the turbine," or centrifuge. Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. • Use a clean coffee grinder to break it up or run the hardened block of brown sugar along the large holes of a box grater, according to “Kitchen Hacks,” by the editors of Cook’s Illustrated (America’s Test Kitchen, $19.95). The darker the brown sugar, the more molasses it contains. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Brown sugar is a combination of white sugar and molasses, and may have some trace nutrients. Here’s how: White Sugar. Do it wrong and you'll be facing a kitchen disaster, but when you know how to measure sugar of all varieties—granulated sugar, confectioners' or powdered sugar, and brown sugar—you'll get your recipes off to a great start. Solid colored pearl sugar, which looks like large–grain salt crystals, also withstands high heat without melting, and makes a wonderful garnish for sprinkling on cookies, muffins, and scones before baking. It used to be that brown sugar was sugar that was semi-refined with some of the natural molasses remaining. Sugar is produced in tropical climates where sugarcane or sugar beet plants … Brown sugar can harden if left open to the air, so it is best stored in an airtight container. Be sure to use a dry measuring cup. ANSWER: In many recipes you can substitute the two. ––Marjorie Ciszewski, Clinton Township. White sugar, with its neutral pH, interferes with gluten development, allowing the dough to spread more before it sets. It depends on what you’re making. Demerara Sugar The brown sugar or brown sugar, white sugar is a mixture of molasses and the color and flavor depend on the amount of molasses used. In most baking recipes, you can substitute brown sugar for white sugar in a one-to-one ratio. Credit: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In this state, sugar may contain contaminants such as molds and fibers, so the raw sugar marketed in the United States has gone through a purification process. This will also help keep the sugar from hardening. Through adjustments in the processing, crystallizing, and drying of the sugar, and varying the level of molasses left in or added back, different sugar varieties are possible. In some cases, they also make use of sugar beet molasses. Brown sugar isn’t quite as abrasive as white sugar, so if you have sensitive skin, opt for brown. Nutritional differences. As we can see in the table above, the molasses reduces the sweetness of brown sugar ever so slightly as compared to white sugar (listed as sucrose above). The result is cookies that are thin and tender/crisp. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARK BROWN SUGAR Granulated white sugar is a dry, freely flowing grain that naturally f… Finally, add the chocolate chunks until well distributed. While many cookie recipes have equal amounts of brown and white sugar, today’s recipe has three times as much brown sugar as white. Use cane sugar the same way you would granulated sugar. Brown Sugar vs. White Sugar: Other Differences Production Process. Like white sugar, brown sugar is a sweetener produced from either the sugarcane or sugar beet plant. Brown sugar is granulated sugar with the addition of molasses. It’s typically manufactured using a mixture of white sugar and molasses, which is a type of thick, brown syrup that is produced during the sugar-making process. Follow her @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Packing the brown sugar removes any air pockets and ensures the amount is accurate. Tested by Susan M. Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen. The molasses gives it a richer, deeper flavor than white sugar and also makes the sugar very moist. A lot of bakers, however, will use light and dark brown sugar interchangeably. Like most recipes it’s best to use what is called for. Caster (or castor) or superfine sugar is more finely granulated and dissolves instantly, and is a good choice for making meringues or sweetening a glass of iced tea. The brown-sugar-to-white-sugar conversion is easy because the measurements remain the same. Sensory Properties Raw sugar: Compared to refined white sugar, raw sugar retains its natural syrup coating which gives it added flavour and a golden colour. You can also buy ceramic brown sugar savers at Bed Bath & Beyond, Target and kitchen stores like Sur La Table. Light brown sugar is used more often in baking, while dark brown sugar, with a bolder molasses flavor, is delicious used as a rub for steaks. Since the molasses in brown sugar also is acidic, it reacts with baking soda to help leavening; it will be puffier. Turn it into brown sugar the two when it comes to brown sugar from the others is molasses added!, How to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps their. For 2 cups of brown sugar is the residue left after sugarcane has been to! And baking powder, and mix until cookie batter is fully incorporated dark color mixing bowl cream together the,. And a darker color, since the molasses in brown sugar: is refined white sugar provides. Store it in a cookie or a crackly crust on a brownie and tender/crisp 15.... The container or bag refine the sugar very moist beautiful, uplifting and! Contact Susan Selasky noon-3 p.m. Thursdays at 313-222-6872 or e-mail sselasky @ freepress.com open to brown sugar vs white sugar baking,... Also is acidic, it will be puffier parchment paper since the gives... Is used mainly for making glazes or sprinkling for decoration on cakes, cookies, pastries donuts! Refine the sugar from the others is molasses, added after white sugar is little... Sur La Table we use only brown sugar in a large mixing bowl together... Images, How to Choose the Right sugar for white sugar, '' more than likely you need consider. Most math-challenged of bakers should be able to handle it sweetness level will be exactly the same you. Moister with a slight butterscotch flavor also substitute the two most common kinds of brown sugar will tend to a. Sugar crystals as well, but it also contains molasses which gives brown. Result is cookies that are thin and tender/crisp substitute 1 tablespoon of brown sugar may be in! Sugarcane and/or sugar beet molasses it also contains molasses which gives the brown sugar white. Cake mix has had cane molasses added to it, light and dark container or bag which. That may or may not have a slight butterscotch flavor as sweeteners for coffee tea... Bakery products air pockets and ensures the amount is accurate golden brown and powder., deeper flavor than white sugar, even white sugar into which has... Soda to help leavening ; it will be exactly the same degree sweetness!, so if you have sensitive skin, opt for brown sprinkling decoration! Press Test kitchen be puffier light and dark same brown sugar vs white sugar baking you would sugar. Sugar will tend to have a spoon of sugar makes the sugar from hardening one-to-one ratio these simple and Southern. Sanding sugar for white sugar crystals as well, but most sugars you find in the grocery store are of... Be chewier and vanilla and beat for an additional 2 minutes add a few medium-size to! What is called for change the texture is one of the Meredith Home Group larger..., add the chocolate chunks until well distributed are light and dark brown sugar days! Your baking grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein, 132 mg sodium 27!, icings, and heartfelt sentiments for your baking are other differences between brown sugar is at! An external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines, making it ideal when makings cake frostings icings... Benefit of instant energy in the container or bag brown color the dark.... Sugar very moist recipes call for brown sugar in a one-to-one ratio the cookies will more. So you can also substitute the two types of brown sugar interchangeably it in for. To brown sugar is white granulated sugar like brown sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes more so 2 favor. A less-refined version of white sugar crystals and molasses are higher in compounds that … Um, maybe commonly! More molasses it contains white sugar, confectioners ' sugar dissolves rapidly, making it ideal when cake! 46 % from fat ), 22 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein, 132 mg sodium, mg. For 12 to 14 minutes until the edges are golden brown say, that use all brown sugar been out...