How to Substitute Sugars and Other Sweeteners

Granulated Sugar

This staple has no substitute.

Brown Sugar

Granulated sugar and molasses make a close approximation.

To Replace: 1 cup light brown sugar

• 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses To Replace: 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar ground in a food processor for 15 seconds

Powdered Sugar

Because it contains cornstarch, powdered sugar should not be used for either brown or granulated sugar in most recipes.

To Replace: 1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup granulated + 1 teaspoon cornstarch ground together in blender (not food processor) Caution: This works very well for dusting over desserts, less so in icings or glazes.

Liquid Sweeteners

Replacing some of the sugar in a recipe with honey, molasses, or maple syrup to add an extra dimension of flavor is a simple matter, provided you account for the extra moisture.

To Replace: sugar with liquid sweetener

Reduce liquid by 1/4 cup for each cup of liquid sweetener added

Caution: As liquid sweeteners vary in moisture content, acidity, and even sweetness, it is usually not a good idea to replace more than half of the sugar in a recipe with a liquid sweetener.