Ever have the situation where you are in need of an ingredient and you go to your pantry and realize that you are clear out of it? That happened to me last year during the holidays. I had granulated sugar, demera sugar, powdered sugar – you name it, I had it – all but brown sugar. Can I tell you how miffed I was to have to leave and run up to the grocery store in the midst of a culinary project? Plus, I’m the type of gal who often keeps a spare on hand so for me to be out of what I would deem a vital pantry ingredient is highly unusual.
I saw a great article in this month’s Fine Cooking where they gave instruction on how to make your own brown sugar. I just had to try this technique and, much like a little kid in a science fair, I was fascinated by the process.
The technique is super simple – for light brown sugar, you basically combine one cup of granulated sugar and one tablespoon of molasses, both of which should already be in your pantry. If you want dark brown sugar, you just use two tablespoons of molasses. How easy it that?
Use a large bowl for this, add the sugar and the molasses and use an electric beater. Beat on medium low steadily until all the molasses is combined with the sugar and the size is doubled and appears fluffy and soft. This takes about ten minutes but you will see the transformation. And, the end result, the most delicious brown sugar that will make a fabulous crumble or other holiday treat and you didn’t even have to break a sweat as you avert a potential culinary emergency. Talk about a MacGyver moment!
Gather the ingredients
The look if the rich molasses against the pure sugar is striking
Time to mix
And mix
And at the end of the mixing – fluffy gorgeous brown sugar.
|
Share the love
|
Get free updates
|
What a great tip! I am definitely going to try this.
Susan recently posted..La Tavola della mia Famiglia- Turkey Cutlets alla Milanese
That's so helpful!! I try to add blackstrap molasses (or sometimes maple syrup) as much as I can instead of using brown sugar. They have so many nutrients!!
Honey B. Nutrition recently posted..Insanity!
I love quick fix ideas. Great tip!
Genius!
Richele recently posted..Valley of the Dolls
Love it! Who knew it was so easy! I'll have to try this!
Jen recently posted..“Nigella Kitchen” Winner Announced
This is neat. I want to try this just to do an experiment.
Sharon recently posted..Celebrity Heels- 2010 AMA Awards
Great tip! This could definitely get me out of a “pinch” in the future!
That’s awesome. Thank you so much. I totally have to try this!
Twitter: rasinghumans
says:
That’s amazing! For some reason, brown sugar is always the thing I’m surprised to find I’m out of too. Great tip!
Tricia recently posted..What kind of cupcake do you have?
Twitter: Secretsofamom
says:
I am not a baker but this is a great tip!
Tara recently posted..Oh My God… I’M Mom!
Twitter: fiercedivablog
says:
Easy! Yum! and who ever would have known? Happy SITS day!
Ilene recently posted..Got Boobs?
I’ve heard of this but haven’t ever tried it. It seemed a bit hokey to me. Your description and pictures help. Next time, I’ve giving it a whirl.
That looks easy, but I’m still pretty lazy & just buy a box of brown sugar
Stopping by from SITS! And if you do cook in stillettos, then my hat goes off to you, because I can’t even walk in stillettos.
Laura recently posted..TEEN TRENDS: EATING DISORDERS AND THEIR DANGERS
Twitter: AnaliFirst
says:
I’ve heard of this, but didn’t quite believe that it actually worked. I guess I’ll have to try it! Oh, I’m hear via SITS. I hope you’re enjoying your big day! : )
Lias recently posted..Five Eleven
Twitter: happyfamilytrav
says:
So cool – did not know you could do this!!
Thanks!
ronnie recently posted..Disaster Trip
Well that is really cool! I did not know you could actually make brown sugar. I guess I thought it came from the brown sugar plant or something. Lol!
Twitter: RiaRob
says:
This recipe is a great reminder that many of the items you have in your cabinet or pantry can make the ingredients needed for additional recipes. One of my goals is to return to really taking the time to cook more from scratch instead of taking a zillion shortcuts. All part of my plan to get back to things that are more important in life and good cooking and sharing during mealtime is one of them. My son is really showing him an interest in cooking so this blog is something I can add to our quality time together.
Maria recently posted..Tale of the Tape: Tamron Hall vs. Tim Carney
Twitter: joyandcake
says:
Well who knew!
Wait, you can MAKE brown sugar?!? Really?
{{ stopping by from SITS }}
kyfirewife recently posted..I think he’s already dead
Twitter: homejobsbymom
says:
That sounds easy enough for me to do! I love brown sugar in cream of wheat. Yum!
krystle recently posted..Free Blogger Event: New iPad Giveaway Sign Ups
Twitter: lifethegreenway
says:
Hi, congrats on your SITS day! Who knew that making brown sugar could be so simple – great tips!
Elena recently posted..4 Eco-Friendly Tips to Beautify and Personalize Your Home Office…surround your home business with a personal, earth-friendly image
Twitter: buriedwithkids
says:
I had no idea making brown sugar was that easy. That is awesome.
Congrats on your SITS day… I have been enjoying your recipes.
I had no idea you could make your own sugar!! That’s amazing! This will definitely come in handy!! Thanks for sharing!
Twitter: BoonieSooze
says:
What a great thing to have in your hip pocket, in case you ever run out and need to substitute!
Twitter: babybabylemon
says:
My mom used to do this. I had totally forgotten. So handy!
Stopping by from SITS.
Amy recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Hopscotch
SO good to know! Last time I baked and needed brown sugar, I didnt have any and substituted pure molasses- no good & never again!
New York Cliche recently posted..Other New York clichés: A Blogger Buddy!
How industrious… I love it! You know, some of us are about as backwards when it comes to this kind of stuff as today’s kids who think that vegetables come from (begin growth) at the grocery store. We’re all so accustomed to having everything we need at arms length.
This is a really good post. Thanks for sharing it with everyone. Molasses is something that I don’t have in my pantry (I don’t care for the taste of it), but I guess I better go get some. Who knows? It could be me who runs out of brown sugar! Thanks.
Carlo/Carlo At Your Service Productions recently posted..The 3 Secrets To A Great Catered Party