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Light brown sugar substitute

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

Quick answer

Use 1 cup of granulated sugar plus 2 teaspoons of molasses for each cup of light brown sugar, or swap in dark brown sugar 1 for 1. Dark makes a darker, stronger-tasting bake and may spread cookies very slightly more. Structure stays 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
    • 2 tsp 14 g molasses
    How
    Add both to the recipe together.
    Best for
    Anything.
    What changes
    Matches store-bought.

  2. Dark brown sugar

    • Vegan
    • Dairy-free
    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • 1 cup 220 g dark brown sugar
    Best for
    Cookies, cakes, glazes.
    What changes
    Darker, stronger.
    Skip it when
    Pale, delicate cakes.

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
CookiesDark brown sugarSame structure.

Questions

Is brown sugar just sugar and molasses?

Yes. Store brown sugar is white sugar with molasses added.

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.