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Dark brown sugar substitute

Sugar and sweeteners · Checked against 1 source · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

Use 1 cup of granulated sugar plus 1 tablespoon of molasses for each cup of dark brown sugar, or swap in light brown sugar 1 for 1. Light is milder and gives a paler bake. Structure is essentially the same.

How much do you need?

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

Show only options that are

What to use

  1. Granulated sugar and molasses

    • 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
    Anything.
    What changes
    Matches store-bought.

  2. Light brown sugar

    • Vegan
    • Dairy-free
    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • 1 cup 220 g light brown sugar
    Best for
    Cookies, cakes, glazes.
    What changes
    Milder, paler.
    Skip it when
    Gingerbread and other bakes that lean on molasses.

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

UsePickWhy
GingerbreadGranulated sugar and molassesControls the strength.

Questions

Can I use a spoonful more molasses in light brown sugar?

Yes. Light brown plus a little extra molasses gets close to dark.

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.