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A Story of How to Make Brown Sugar From Scratch

October 4, 2017 by Joy the Baker 30 Comments

Sometimes… and tell me if you can relate to this, I feel like I literally do not know how to be a person in the world.  I hate to use the world literally hyperbolically but I think the word might actually have a place here.  Save for my lungs that breathe and heart that beats thankfully on their own, I feel like I do not know how to be a thinking feeling person at times like these..  I don’t know what to do with the feelings that we’re tasked to feel when things seems so heavy and cruel.  I just deeply like… do not know.    

In times like these I’m glad that there are a few things my heart and my head know how to do with minimal emotional effort but end with a deeply satisfying reward.  Things like, stirring a pot of pasta for dinner, setting butter out for chocolate chip cookies, slicing carrots for soup, crumbling streusel for cake.   

Cooking is more than just… I dunno… those overhead videos of rainbow cakes we all watch on Facebook these days.  It’s deep.  It’s tangible proof of our resourcefulness, of desires and hope, of know-how and execution.  All for good.  

Proof of that resourcefulness is here – right in front of our faces with two very simple ingredients.  Granulated sugar and molasses.  Proof that we can always make it work.  + cookies.  

How To Make Brown Sugar:

By now you’ve checked the pantry three times looking for a stray box of brown sugar.  Sure, positive, cautiously confident, welp… actually not so certain at all that you remembered to buy a box at the store the time before last.  

There’s no brown sugar.  This much we know is try.  

While you’re in the pantry, set your despair aside and reach for the granulated sugar and the molasses.  The good news is, things in this realm are going to be fine.  You’ve got know-how.

Measure out 2 cups of granulated sugar.  If you need more brown sugar for your particular recipe, well… measure out what you need.

Place the granulated sugar in a medium bowl.  Add 2 tablespoons of molasses.  If you’d like a darker, richer brown sugar – add 1 tablespoon more.  

Use the back of a spoon to work the molasses into the sugar.  It will feel gloopy and awkward at first but I promise the mixture will come together. 

Keep mixing.  Don’t loose faith.  

Once the mixture starts to come together, you might want to use your fingers to gently ease any lumps of molasses into the sugar. 

As in all things, do your best.  

And… after a few minutes – you’ll have brown sugar.  Lightly pack it into a measuring cup just as you would a store-bought brown sugar.  Consider making The Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.  

Feel content.  One problem, solved. 

Other ways in which we are resourceful, capable, thriving people: 

•  Well-equipped:  How To Choose The Right Whisk 

•  Life skill:  How To Frost a Cake

•  Thoughtful and conscious:  How To Make Vegan Eggs

Be good this day.

xo Joy

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Filed Under: Baking 101, Beyond the Kitchen

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Kelly-Anne

    October 27, 2017 at 10:29 am

    I just made this. Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Rebecca

    October 6, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    What a lovely post. I value your recipes, and I love your Sunday collections. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Evan

    October 6, 2017 at 2:54 pm

    I needed this today; thank you.

    Reply
  4. Emlyn Flanigan

    October 6, 2017 at 11:48 am

    Joy,
    You’re the best. And not just because you brought browned butter choco cookies into my life (thank you) but because you’ve managed to put into words how I feel right now: about my world, my kitchen, myself.
    Have a terrific weekend,
    Emlyn

    Reply
  5. Cynetta

    October 6, 2017 at 5:54 am

    Light brown sugar = 1c granulated white sugar + 1Tbsp regular molasses (NOT blackstrap molasses)
    Dark brown sugar = 1c granulated white sugar + 2Tbsp regular molasses
    I use my KitchenAid to mix it and store it in a canister

    Reply
  6. Karen B

    October 5, 2017 at 2:08 am

    It is so true how helpless I have felt with all the recent events happening. I guess the last image I have is the police/sheriff walking into the area with little helmet on their head a tiny plastic shield with someone shooting wildly at people. Unbelievable that they do that so willing put their lives forward.So I BAKE. I baked Monday for the police dept here in our town, Tuesday I baked for the sheriffs, and Wednesday I baked for the Fire Dept. Thursday, I donated blood and baked for all the donors who were there donating and trying to help in this crazy past month. I can control my oven and measuring cups and that helps. Reach out and love someone today.

    Reply
  7. Jesd

    October 4, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    Thank you for this post Joy! I too seek comfort from cooking and baking and it is heartening to know that others do as well. So often we feel alone and powerless in our suffering. But when I start making one of your recipes (usually buttermilk biscuits), I realize others, including yourself, are making these same recipes and in doing so we form our own community. And when I eat those biscuits and share them with the people I love I am always amazed by how joyful they make myself and others feel. Loneliness has no power over community and there is no greater (or better) power than bringing joy to ourselves and others. So thanks for reminding me to be hopeful

    Reply
  8. Carrie

    October 4, 2017 at 4:15 pm

    I remember when I first learned how to cook gumbo and I truly understood why it was called “soul food” – pouring your soul into cooking and food is a beautiful gift. Thanks for writing today, even if it felt off. I’m glad to have read your warm, cozy words <3

    Reply
  9. Julia

    October 4, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    Cried into my pasta while reading this. Thank you for always emphasizing how reflective and healing cooking is. Your recipes have a human quality that is wholesome af.

    Reply
  10. Rosie

    October 4, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    Love making my own brown sugar! I used to use the back of a fork to mash it all together. Now I just use my mixer.

    Reply
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