How to Soften Brown Sugar

How to soften brown sugar is easy. Hardened brown sugar is usually discovered right when you need to use it. Very frustrating! Softening brown sugar and keeping it that way will prevent frustration the next time you reach for it in the middle of baking .

HOW FAST DO YOU NEED YOUR BROWN SUGAR??

MICROWAVE

If you need your brown sugar right now, no problem. Because you have lost the moisture in your brown sugar you need to put it back and the fasted way to do this in your microwave. Place the bag or bowl of brown sugar in the middle of your microwave with a cup of water. Microwave brown sugar on high for 2-3 minutes checking the softening brown sugar every 30 seconds. If it is still in the bag occasionally knead the bag and turn it over. If it is in a container stir and loosen with a spoon. Do this until you have reached the desired consistency.

OVEN

Without a microwave it may take longer to soften the brown sugar, but you can still have it ready soon. Heat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and place the hardened brown sugar in an oven proof baking dish. This is important as you do not want to melt the plastic bag. Stir occasionally leaving the sugar in no more than 5-10 minutes. This should sufficiently soften brown sugar, but will not keep it soft for future use.

OVERNIGHT

Place brown sugar in a bowl with two moistened paper towels. The towels should be moist and or damp, but not sopping wet. Then, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and then tin foil. Leave on counter over night and the sugar should be ready to use the next day.

BREAD METHOD

Once you have softened your sugar you want to keep it soft. Or, if you have discovered hardened brown sugar and want to soften it for future use you can use this simple trick that works perfectly. Put the brown sugar in an air tight container and toss in a piece of bread. Leave for 1-2 days and voila! Your brown sugar will be velvety moist again and the bread will be completely dried out. Toss out the piece of bread.

The best way to prevent hardened brown sugar is to keep it air tight while in storage. A plastic container with lid is ideal, but if you have to leave it in the bag make sure the bag has been sealed with a clip or twist tie. Once you know how to soften brown sugar and keep it soft you will never need to worry again about hard clumps of brown sugar in your pantry.

Return to Chocolate Chip Cookie Ingredients page from How to Soften Brown Sugar page