There is nothing worse than jumping into a baking project and realizing I am out of brown sugar. Where does it all go or is it the fact that it’s often sold in those tiny little annoying boxes…never enough to last a few batches of cookies.
So making my own brown sugar has become the norm around here. The taste far surpasses anything you can buy commercially and your baked goods have a much richer flavor. Not to mention it’s so easy to do.
Making light brown or dark brown sugar is just a matter of changing the amount of molasses, and with a hand mixer you are well on your way.
Try it out, you may never purchase store bought again. Plus, it kind of makes you feel very “Little House on the Prairie”, except they didn’t have electricity, but you know what I mean.
All you need is granulated sugar, molasses and a hand mixer.
For light brown sugar add 1 Tablespoon molasses to 1 cup granulated sugar. Combine with an electric mixer, starting on a low speed, gradually increasing the speed to high until all the little molasses balls are incorporated, it will take about 5-8 minutes. To make dark brown sugar, add 2 Tablespoons molasses to every 1 cup granulated sugar and follow the same mixing instructions.
In no time you will have the fluffiest, best tasting, rich brown sugar you can imagine. Even the color does not compare to what you buy in the store.
With budgets very tight for many people this holiday season, this is a great little gift and is very economical. A mason jar filled with homemade brown sugar, both light and dark, with a favorite baking recipe attached, would be something I would love to receive.
Or fill the brown sugar in vintage sugar bowls you pick up at a thrift store for an even homier look.
Remember, it’s not the gift but the gesture.
One Year Ago: Cashew Kung Pao Chicken
Two Years Ago: Slow Cooked Moroccan Short Ribs