Ingredient hub

Brown sugar (packed)

Brown sugar is granulated sugar with molasses added. This gives it a rich, caramel-like flavor and a moist texture, ideal for soft and chewy baked goods.

Perfect for cookies, fruit cakes, and glazes. Always measure it packed into the cup for accuracy.

Use Brown sugar (packed) as a substitute for

Have this ingredient on hand? These are the situations where it can stand in for others.

• Brown sugar (packed)

  Use 1 cup of brown sugar for every 1 cup of granulated sugar. Expect a moister texture and a slight caramel flavor.

• Honey

  For every 1 cup of sugar, use 3/4 cup of honey and reduce the total liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup.

Sugars: packed vs loose

Sugars are hygroscopic and crystal size varies by brand. A packed cup can overshoot by 20%, collapsing cakes or making cookies spread. Weight guarantees the chemistry (Maillard, creaming) behaves as intended.

• Brown sugar is typically packed; white/granulated should be loose unless stated.
• Switch to weight for consistent sweetness across batches.

How sugar impacts volume and color

Brown sugar (packed) (GI ) caramelizes, holds moisture, and impacts browning. Type: .

Storage & tools

• Refrigerate perishable foods within 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F/32°C).
• Keep the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C).
• Cool hot foods in shallow containers so they chill faster and more safely.
• Use an appliance thermometer to verify fridge and freezer temperatures.

Store in an airtight container to retain moisture. Add a piece of bread or a terracotta brown sugar saver to keep it soft.

Use a digital scale for baking accuracy—volume scoops can vary up to 30%.

Sources: CDC · FDA

FAQ

Does granulated sugar ever go bad?

No, granulated sugar has an indefinite shelf life because it does not support microbial growth. However, it can harden if exposed to moisture. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) [2] https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Does-sugar-expire

Can I substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar?

Yes, you can substitute it one-for-one, but expect a moister texture and a slight caramel flavor due to the molasses in brown sugar.

All conversions for this ingredient

• Cup → g /en/convert/brown_sugar/cup-to-grams/
• g → Cups /en/convert/brown_sugar/grams-to-cups/
• Tbsp → g /en/convert/brown_sugar/tbsp-to-grams/
• Tsp → g /en/convert/brown_sugar/tsp-to-grams/
• mL → g /en/convert/brown_sugar/ml-to-grams/
• oz → g /en/convert/brown_sugar/oz-to-grams/