How to Soften Brown Sugar
We tested 7 different methods. Here's the best way to soften brown sugar. It takes just 2.5 minutes.
Quanthem
Nothing will spoil your cookie-making plans quicker than gathering up your ingredients only to discover that the brown sugar at the back of your cupboard is rock-hard. To get to the bottom of the issue, we consulted Eleonora Lahud, senior research chef at Domino® Sugar and tested 7 popular methods for salvaging and softening brown sugar. Plus, we learned how to keep a brand-new bag as soft as wet sand, indefinitely.
Why Does Brown Sugar Get Hard?
Brown sugar contains molasses, which adds to its moisture, wet sand-like texture, color and robust caramel flavor. When exposed to the elements of your kitchen, the molasses will evaporate, turning your brown sugar to a brick. "Brown sugar hardens when it loses its moisture content. This can happen if it is not stored properly in an airtight container," Lahud says. "Exposure to air causes moisture in the sugar to evaporate, leading to hardening. Light and dark brown sugar harden at an equal rate if not properly stored."
How to Soften Brown Sugar: Our Testing Methodology
To rescue hardened brown sugar, we tested 7 popular methods, including those recommended by the experts at Domino® Sugar. The methods included: in the oven, in the microwave, with wet paper towels, apple slices, marshmallows, bread slices and a terra cotta disk.
We measured out 1 packed cup of light brown sugar per method (7 cups total) and exposed them to air until they hardened. For each softening method, we noted how long it took, how evenly it softened, observed if there was any alteration to the consistency or texture and noted if the brown sugar absorbed any odors or flavors.
How to Soften Brown Sugar Quickly
Favorite Method: How to Soften Brown Sugar In the Oven
We found this technique to yield the quickest results with gentle heat that didn't scorch the brown sugar.
The Method:
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bake and fluff: Transfer the hardened brown sugar to a baking sheet and heat until it softened, about 30 seconds. Check it every 30 seconds and periodically fluff the sugar with a fork. Take extra care when handling the sugar as it will be hot and will harden again as it cools.
The Results: The brown sugar started to soften and flake off the top and slides with a fork after 30 seconds. After a minute and a half, most of the edges and top of the brown sugar flaked away easily with a fork. It took 2 and a half minutes total to rescue the brown sugar to its original fluffy, wet-sand texture.
Runner Up Method: How to Soften Brown Sugar In the Microwave
Microwave power can vary, so this technique can be hit or miss. At worst, you'll end up with scorched brown sugar. Proceed with caution.
The Method:
- Wet paper towels: Moisten two pieces of paper towel so that they were wet but not dripping.
- Place the brown sugar in a bowl and cover it: Microwave-softened sugar hardens as it cools so microwave only the amount of sugar needed. Place the hardened brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl and cover the sugar with the moistened paper towel. Tightly cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
- Microwave and fluff: Microwaved it on high for 1 and a half minutes, checking it every 30 seconds and using a fork to break up larger chunks and fluff it.
The Results: After 30 seconds, the brown sugar started to flake easily around the edges when fluffed with a fork. However, certain spots looked like they were turning darker, almost like the brown sugar was getting toasted. The sugar was softened after a minute and a half, but we could smell the brown sugar caramelizing.
How to Soften Brown Sugar If You Have More Time
Favorite Method: How to Soften Brown Sugar with Terra Cotta
For this method, you do have to own a terra cotta disc; however, after purchasing one, you can store it in future bags of brown sugar to prevent them from hardening.
The Method:
- Soak: Soak a terra cotta disk designed specifically for softening brown sugar for 20 minutes, per the package instructions. Or use a clean piece of terra cotta such as a planter drip tray and soak it for 30 minutes.
- Wipe: Wipe off the excess moisture from the terra cotta.
- Seal: Place the disk in a resealable bag on top of the hardened brown sugar and re-seal it for about 25 minutes.
The Results: After 10 minutes, the hardened sugar had softened enough so that we could reposition the terra cotta in middle of the sugar chunk to reach more surface area. The brown sugar was fully softened and fluffed easily with a fork after 15 minutes.
Runner Up Method: How to Soften Brown Sugar With A Slice of Bread
This low-lift technique restores brown sugar to its former moist, fluffy self. Yet the time it takes can be variable based on how hard your brown sugar is.
The Method: Add a bread slice to a resealable plastic bag with the hardened brown sugar and re-seal for about 20 minutes or up to 2 days, depending on how hard your brown sugar is.
The Results: The edges started softening after 10 minutes, was quite soft after 15 minutes and fully softened after 20 minutes.
Runner Up Method: How to Soften Brown Sugar With Wet Paper Towel
This technique works effectively. Yet the time it takes can be variable based on how hard your brown sugar is.
The Method:
- Create a cover: Cover a piece of foil (plastic wrap works too) with two pieces of dampened (not dripping) paper towels
- Wrap the brown sugar: Wrap the sheets it around the hardened brown sugar and place it back inside the resealable plastic bag for about 30 minutes or up to 2 days, depending on how hard your brown sugar is.
The Results: The sugar started softening around the edges after about 20 minutes, and after 30 minutes, it very easily broke apart and fluffed up nicely with a fork.
Runner Up Method: How to Soften Brown Sugar With Marshmallows
You have to have marshmallows lying around--But it works effectively. Like the bread and paper towel methods, time this method takes can vary based on how hard your brown sugar is.
The Method: Add two large, fresh marshmallows to the resealable plastic bag with the hardened brown sugar and seal it for about 40 minutes or up to 2 days, depending on how hard your brown sugar is.
The Results: After about 20 minutes, the brown sugar started to break into clumps with a fork. After 40 minutes, the marshmallows had evenly softened into a consistent, wet-sand like texture. The marshmallows had notably lost moisture has they were dryer and more wrinkled in appearance. The brown sugar did not have any noticeable marshmallow odor.
Not Recommended: How to Soften Brown Sugar With Apple Slices
The apple slice method yielded uneven softening results and imparted too much moisture, altering the texture of the sugar.
The Method:
- Cut an apple: Quarter an apple and cut it into five slices.
- Add the apple to the brown sugar: Added the apple slices to a resealable plastic bag with the hardened brown sugar and re-seal it for about 35 minutes.
The Results: The brown sugar softened slightly around the edges after 10 minutes. After 25 minutes, a fork easily pierced through the middle of the harden brown sugar but it didn't fluff up to its original wet-sand texture until the 35 minute mark. We noted a faint apple smell on the sugar, and it imparted more moisture than other methods so that when it softened, it was wetter than its original texture. In certain spots, particularly surface areas that were in direct contact with the apple slices, had even more concentrated moisture.
How to Store Brown Sugar to Keep It Soft
Store it in an air-tight container. Lahud recommends storing sugar in a cool, moist area in a rustproof container with a tight-fitting lid or any type of re-sealable, moisture-proof plastic bag (be sure to squeeze every last bit of air out).
Keep away from odors. “Avoid storing it next to strong-smelling herbs and spices, as sugar can absorb strong odors from its surroundings,” she says.
Use within 6 months. “Even though the shelf life of brown sugar is indefinite, it's best to use it within six months of purchase for maximum flavor.”
Add a brown sugar saver into the bag. In addition to properly storing brown sugar, you can place a slice of bread or a damp paper towel in the container with the brown sugar. “The sugar will absorb the moisture from the bread or paper towel, helping to keep it soft,” Lahud explains. “Alternatively, you can use terra cotta disks—soak them in water first, then place them inside the brown sugar package to maintain its softness.”
Related Links:
