When a recipe calls for brown sugar, could I use white sugar instead? [duplicate]

I don't really use brown sugar that often and I would like to know, if I am baking a recipe that calls for a cup of brown sugar, could I use white sugar instead? If not, why? Do they not "bake" the same?

Thank you!

sugar brown-sugar

Best Answer

Yes!

Brown sugar is nothing more than white granular sugar plus molasses. That's it!

1 Tbsp molasses per cup of granular sugar = light brown sugar and 2 Tbsp molasses for dark brown sugar. There is no need to waste your money buying either, or worse, both.

Omitting the molasses and just using plain white sugar in a recipe will however change the taste somewhat in the finished product. You'll need to experiment to determine if that flavor change is acceptable to you and those you cook for.

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Quick Answer about "When a recipe calls for brown sugar, could I use white sugar instead? [duplicate]"

In most baking recipes, you can substitute brown sugar for white sugar in a one-to-one ratio. So if your recipe calls for 1 cup white sugar, swap 1 cup brown sugar. The sweetness level will be exactly the same, but the brown sugar may change the texture of your baked goods.

What happens if you use white sugar instead of brown?

When brown sugar is replaced with white sugar, you may end up with a slightly crispier result. Still, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Summary White sugar can be used to replace brown sugar, producing only slight changes in texture and flavor.

Can I use white sugar in a recipe that calls for brown sugar?

Are they interchangeable in baking? In most cases, you can use brown sugar and white sugar interchangeably. However, you may notice a difference in the texture of your baked goods. Brown sugar is naturally moist, so using it will result in baked goods that are softer and moister.

Science: White Sugar vs Brown Sugar — What You Use Can Dramatically Change Texture in Baked Goods

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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