Brown sugar substitute

Sugar and sweeteners · Checked against 3 sources · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

For 1 cup of light brown sugar, use 1 cup of granulated sugar plus 2 teaspoons of molasses. For dark, use 1 tablespoon of molasses. Add both to the recipe together. Plain white sugar is the least reliable swap, because brown sugar's acid works with baking soda to lift and spread cookies.

How much do you need?

I need (brown sugar)Unit

Fractions work: 1 1/2, ¾, 0.5. The amounts below update as you type.

What to use

Granulated sugar and molasses, light
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar
- 2 tsp 14 g molasses
How
No need to pre-mix. Add both to the recipe at the same time.
Best for
Cookies, cakes, sauces, glazes.
What changes
Weighs about the same as real brown sugar, so nothing else needs adjusting.
Granulated sugar and molasses, dark
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp 21 g molasses
How
Add both to the recipe together.
Best for
Gingerbread, baked beans, barbecue sauce.
What changes
Deeper, more molasses flavor and darker color.
Plain granulated sugar
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar
Best for
Recipes that use baking powder rather than baking soda, or where brown sugar is a small amount.
What changes
No caramel flavor or color. Moisture and spread change.
Skip it when
Soft chewy cookies, and cakes leavened with baking soda.

Diet labels describe the ingredients as normally made. Check packages for gluten and allergens. Some refined sugar is filtered with bone char, which matters if you eat vegan.

Which swap for which job

Use	Pick	Why
Cookies and cakes	Granulated sugar and molasses	Keeps the acid and moisture that baking soda relies on.
Sauces and glazes	Plain granulated sugar	Little depends on the acid.
Gingerbread and dark bakes	Dark version	More molasses, more depth.

Do not substitute here

Chewy cookies and soda-leavened cakes. Plain white sugar. It can change spread and rise.

Questions

Can I swap light for dark brown sugar?

Yes, 1 for 1. Dark gives a darker, stronger bake and may spread cookies very slightly more.

What about coconut sugar or muscovado?

King Arthur gives no ratio. Fine-grained versions behave like granulated; coarse ones can spread drop cookies more.

Why do some charts say a quarter cup of molasses?

Older extension charts do. That is a much stronger mix than real brown sugar. King Arthur's smaller amount matches store-bought sugar.

Sources

Ratios come from these sources, in our words. Where they disagree, we say so or pick the amount that matches tested results. Ratios are a starting point. Taste and adjust.