Brown sugar (light or dark)

brown sugar

Flavor and role

Moist sugar containing molasses, with deep caramel and liquorice-like notes. Dark brown sugar contains more molasses.

Typical dishes and uses

Pad thai sauce, pulled pork rub, barbecue sauce, hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes), cookies

Substitutes

1 cup brown sugar = 1 cup white sugar + 1-2 tbsp molasses. In a pinch, use the same amount of white sugar.

Storage

Airtight at room temperature, indefinitely. If it hardens, add a slice of moist bread for a day or warm it briefly in the microwave.

Main countries

United States · United Kingdom

Used in this book

Pad ThaiBBQ Pulled PorkAnzac BiscuitsClassic American Apple PieBanana BreadBeef and BroccoliBeer-Can ChickenBobotieBubble TeaChili con CarneChocolate Chip CookiesGalbi-jjim (Braised Beef Short Ribs)Hotteok (Korean Brown Sugar Pancakes)Jerk ChickenYangnyeom Chicken (Korean Fried Chicken)Sticky Toffee PuddingChocolate-Dipped Alfajores, Mar del Plata StyleBrown Butter and Sea Salt Anzac BiscuitsWhite Miso and Black Sesame Anzac BiscuitsAnzac Ice-Cream SandwichesApple Strudel Turon (Filipino Caramel Spring Rolls)Apple Strudel French Toast with Butter Crumb CrunchBrown Butter Lattice Apple PieApple Pie Empanadas with Dulce de LecheApple Pie Crumble Bars with Cinnamon GlazeBulgogi Kimchi ArepasPecan Pie Maple Baklava RollsBrown Butter Walnut Banana BreadBangers with Ale and Caramelised Onion GravyBulgogi Kimchi Bánh MìVelvet Beef with Charred BroccoliBeef Noodle TsukemenGochujang Chimaek Beer-Can ChickenPulled Beer-Can Chicken SlidersLiège Waffles with Caramelised Pearl SugarCinnamon Sugar Croffles with Vanilla Ice CreamBibimbap Burritos with Gochujang-Lime MayoBrown Butter Espresso Brownies with Sea SaltWhite Miso Sesame Swirl BrowniesCrinkle-Top Brownie CookiesRoyal Milk Tea Boba with Salted Cream Cheese FoamBrown Sugar Boba Milk Tea Panna CottaCast-Iron Sirloin Bulgogi with Scallion SaladBulgogi Cheesesteak with Gochujang MayoKimchi Bulgogi Campfire NachosClassic Ceviche with Leche de TigreCrispy-Skin Chicken Adobo with Garlic ChipsPerilla Chimichurri Soy Steak Lettuce WrapsBrown Butter Dark Chocolate Chunk CookiesMiso Caramel Chocolate Chip CookiesSkillet Chocolate Chip Cookie à la ModeRed Wine Jjimdak (Korean Braised Chicken)Brown Butter Honey Cornbread with Charred CornApple Curry Sauce Currywurst with Double-Fried PommesKhao Soi-Style Coconut Curry Dak-kalguksuThree-Chile Enchiladas GratinadasBaked Amok Fish Toasts with Lime MayoFrench Onion Grilled Cheese with Dipping SoupApple Crumble French Toast BakeSeared Royal-Court Galbi-jjimRed Wine Galbi-jjim BourguignonGalbi-jjim Grilled Cheese with Dipping JusThai Lemongrass GambasMasala Chai Hot Cross BunsBusan-Style Seed HotteokChurro Chocolate HotteokBread Hotteok with Vanilla Ice CreamRoyal Court Beef Japchae with Braised NoodlesPimento-Smoked Charcoal Jerk ChickenJerk Chicken Rasta PastaJerk Chicken Puff Patties with Mango-Lime DipBrown-Butter Cardamom Knots (Kanelknutar), Overnight ProofedHotteok Kanelbullar (Korean-Style Pan-Fried Brown Sugar Cinnamon Buns)Puff Pastry Kanelbulle Twists with Cardamom GlazeKelewele Caramel Sundae with Honey Peanut CrunchLu Rou Tacos with Quick Cucumber PicklesLu Rou Cheese Rice GratinBulgogi Cheese PieBrown Butter Nanaimo Bars with Dark Chocolate GanacheDeli-Style New York Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping and Strawberry GlazeNo-Bake New York Cheesecake Jars with Blueberry CompoteGochujang Bulgogi Pad ThaiCrispy Pad Thai Rice Paper RollsFlame-Grilled Braai Peri-Peri ChickenGochujang Pork PotjieBulgogi Poutine with Gochujang Gravy and KimchiCrispy-Edge Pulled Pork with Beer-Braise GlazeGochujang Pulled Pork Tacos with Kimchi SlawBBQ Pulled Pork Sweet Potato BoatsRendang beef tacosPressed Caramel Salt Bread with Vanilla Ice CreamButcher's Snags with Beer-Caramelised Onions on Toasted SourdoughBulgogi Smash Burger with Butter Kimchi and Gochujang MayoBrown Butter Salted Dark Chocolate S'moresNo-Yeast Soda Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese GlazeSom Tam Chicken TacosBlack Treacle Sticky Toffee Pudding with Salted Toffee SauceWhite Miso Sticky Toffee Pudding with Miso ButterscotchSticky Toffee Mug Cakes with Salted Toffee DrizzleSweet and Sour Pork Tacos with Pineapple SalsaBaked Lemon-Blueberry Syrniki Cups with Crumble TopBulgogi Tacos with Kimchi SlawKorean Sujeonggwa Pear Tarte Tatin with Ginger-Cinnamon CaramelUpside-Down Caramel Apple Puff SquaresThick-Cut Rosu Katsu, Double-FriedBulgogi Yorkshire Pudding Bowls

Updated 2026-10-10