Brown sugar (light or dark)

brown sugar

Flavor and role

Moist sugar containing molasses, with deep caramel and liquorice-like notes. Dark brown sugar contains more molasses.

Typical dishes and uses

Pad thai sauce, pulled pork rub, barbecue sauce, hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes), cookies

Substitutes

1 cup brown sugar = 1 cup white sugar + 1-2 tbsp molasses. In a pinch, use the same amount of white sugar.

Storage

Airtight at room temperature, indefinitely. If it hardens, add a slice of moist bread for a day or warm it briefly in the microwave.

Main countries

United States · United Kingdom

Used in this book

Pad ThaiBBQ Pulled PorkAnzac BiscuitsClassic American Apple PieAsado NegroBanana BreadBarmbrackBeef and BroccoliBeer-Can ChickenBobotieBubble TeaButter TartsCarbonnade Flamande (Flemish Beef and Beer Stew)Classic Carrot CakeChili con CarneChocolate Chip CookiesDakgangjeong (Korean Sweet and Crispy Chicken Bites)Dutch Oven Peach CobblerGalbi-jjim (Braised Beef Short Ribs)Hotteok (Korean Brown Sugar Pancakes)Jerk ChickenAndong Jjimdak (Korean Soy-Braised Chicken)Yangnyeom Chicken (Korean Fried Chicken)Lebkuchen (German Christmas Spice Cookies)MeatloafChicken in Mole PoblanoPabellón CriolloPicaronesPumpkin PieSauerbratenSosaties (Cape Malay Lamb Skewers)SpeculoosSticky Toffee PuddingBlack Sesame Tangyuan in Ginger SyrupApple-Filled Brown Butter ÆbleskiverHotteok-Filled Æbleskiver (Danish × Korean)Cardamom Apple Dutch BabyÄlplermagronen Muffins with Apple-Onion JamBrown Butter Afghans with Dark Chocolate GanacheAfghan Crunch Mocha Cream CupsChocolate-Dipped Alfajores, Mar del Plata StyleBrown Butter and Sea Salt Anzac BiscuitsWhite Miso and Black Sesame Anzac BiscuitsAnzac Ice-Cream SandwichesApple Strudel Turon (Filipino Caramel Spring Rolls)Apple Strudel French Toast with Butter Crumb CrunchBrown Butter Lattice Apple PieApple Pie Empanadas with Dulce de LecheApple Pie Crumble Bars with Cinnamon GlazeBulgogi Kimchi ArepasStuffed Oven-Braised Asado NegroAsado Negro Bánh Mì (Venezuelan × Vietnamese)Asado Negro Crispy Plantain Rice BowlPecan Pie Maple Baklava RollsBananas Foster Banana Boats with Shaken Whipped CreamBrûléed Banana Boat Yogurt Bowls with Skillet GranolaBrown Butter Walnut Banana BreadBangers with Ale and Caramelised Onion GravyBulgogi Kimchi Bánh MìBarmbrack Bread and Butter Pudding with MarmaladeVelvet Beef with Charred BroccoliGochujang Bulgogi Beef Chow Fun (Korean × Cantonese)Beef Noodle TsukemenGochujang Chimaek Beer-Can ChickenPulled Beer-Can Chicken SlidersLiège Waffles with Caramelised Pearl SugarCinnamon Sugar Croffles with Vanilla Ice CreamBibimbap Burritos with Gochujang-Lime MayoChai-Spiced Bircher with Pear and Pistachio (Swiss × Indian)Flaky Layered Biscuits with Homemade Sage Sausage GravyBrown Butter Espresso Brownies with Sea SaltWhite Miso Sesame Swirl BrowniesCrinkle-Top Brownie CookiesRoyal Milk Tea Boba with Salted Cream Cheese FoamBrown Sugar Boba Milk Tea Panna CottaCast-Iron Sirloin Bulgogi with Scallion SaladBulgogi Cheesesteak with Gochujang MayoBún Bò Huế Birria TacosBrown-Butter Maple Pecan Butter TartsGooey Butter Tart BarsCá Kho Salmon DonburiKimchi Bulgogi Campfire NachosBelgian Beer Hayashi Rice (Carbonnade × Japanese Yōshoku)Cheddar Waffles with Beer-Braised Beef and Pickled Red OnionBrown Butter Carrot Layer Cake with Orange Cream CheeseGajar Halwa Carrot Cake with Cardamom Cream Cheese (British x Indian)Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwiches with Cream Cheese FillingYapp Smash Burger with Mustard Onion JamClassic Ceviche with Leche de TigreFire-Charred Pepper Chakalaka with Toasted Whole SpicesHoney-Tahini Challah Monkey BreadHotteok-Style Stuffed Chebab with Brown Sugar and Pistachio (Emirati × Korean)Crispy-Skin Chicken Adobo with Garlic ChipsPerilla Chimichurri Soy Steak Lettuce WrapsBrown Butter Dark Chocolate Chunk CookiesMiso Caramel Chocolate Chip CookiesSkillet Chocolate Chip Cookie à la ModeRed Wine Jjimdak (Korean Braised Chicken)Brown Butter Honey Cornbread with Charred CornApple Curry Sauce Currywurst with Double-Fried PommesKhao Soi-Style Coconut Curry Dak-kalguksuCrunchy Garlic-Chip Dakgangjeong with Rice-Syrup GlazeFresh Peach Cobbler with Brown Butter and Buttermilk BiscuitsPeach Butter Mochi CobblerPeach Cobbler Campfire ConesThree-Chile Enchiladas GratinadasBulgogi Fataya with Gochujang Onion Sauce (Senegalese × Korean)Chana Chaat Fatteh with Tamarind and Mint Yogurt (Levantine × Indian)Honey-Tahini Feteer SwirlsBaked Amok Fish Toasts with Lime MayoFrench Onion Grilled Cheese with Dipping SoupApple Crumble French Toast BakeFull English with Homemade Beans and Black PuddingGai Yang Pita with Jaew Yogurt (Thai × Greek)Seared Royal-Court Galbi-jjimRed Wine Galbi-jjim BourguignonGalbi-jjim Grilled Cheese with Dipping JusThai Lemongrass GambasSoaked-Rice Hoppers with Seeni SambolMasala Chai Hot Cross BunsBusan-Style Seed HotteokChurro Chocolate HotteokBread Hotteok with Vanilla Ice CreamRoyal Court Beef Japchae with Braised NoodlesPimento-Smoked Charcoal Jerk ChickenJerk Chicken Rasta PastaJerk Chicken Puff Patties with Mango-Lime DipMala Cheese Jjimdak (Sichuan × Korean)Jjimdak Cheese Skillet Fried RiceBrown-Butter Cardamom Knots (Kanelknutar), Overnight ProofedHotteok Kanelbullar (Korean-Style Pan-Fried Brown Sugar Cinnamon Buns)Puff Pastry Kanelbulle Twists with Cardamom GlazeOxtail Kare-Kare with Hand-Roasted Peanut Sauce and Homemade Ginisang BagoongKelewele Caramel Sundae with Honey Peanut CrunchBrown-Butter Dark Chocolate KladdkakaKimchi Bulgogi Kumpir (Turkish × Korean)Gochujang Lapskaus (Norwegian × Korean)Nuremberg Elisenlebkuchen with Dark ChocolateLebkuchen Cheesecake BarsLeche Flan Pudding Milk TeaDouble-Fried Lechon Kawali with Homemade Liver SarsaLu Rou Tacos with Quick Cucumber PicklesLu Rou Cheese Rice GratinBrown Butter Malva Pudding with Orange-Brandy Sauce and Vanilla CustardMalva Pudding French Toast with Apricot Caramel CreamBrown Sugar Hotteok-Filled Mandazi (Kenyan × Korean)Bacon-Wrapped Beef and Pork Meatloaf with Balsamic GlazeDulce de Leche Medialuna CrookiesChai Melktert (South African × Indian)Melktert Custard Cups with Cinnamon CrumbBulgogi Cheese PieThree-Chile Mole Poblano with Plantain and TomatilloBrown Butter Nanaimo Bars with Dark Chocolate GanacheDeli-Style New York Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping and Strawberry GlazeNo-Bake New York Cheesecake Jars with Blueberry CompotePabellón Criollo a Caballo with Seared, Braised FlankPad See Ew Brown Butter PappardellePad See Ew Sticky Soy WingsGochujang Bulgogi Pad ThaiCrispy Pad Thai Rice Paper RollsBulgogi Pastelón (Puerto Rican × Korean)Peameal Bacon Bánh Mì (Canadian × Vietnamese)Flame-Grilled Braai Peri-Peri ChickenPernil Bánh Mì (Puerto Rican × Vietnamese)Pisco Picarones with Fig-Leaf Chancaca SyrupKabocha Picarones with Kuromitsu and Kinako (Peruvian × Japanese)Picarón Pancake Stack with Chancaca Butter SyrupCharcoal-Smoked Spatchcock Pollo a la Brasa with Twice-Cooked FriesGochujang Pork PotjieBrown-Butter Pouding Chômeur with Salted Maple CaramelMaple Croissant Pouding Chômeur BakeBulgogi Poutine with Gochujang Gravy and KimchiCrispy-Edge Pulled Pork with Beer-Braise GlazeGochujang Pulled Pork Tacos with Kimchi SlawBBQ Pulled Pork Sweet Potato BoatsRoasted Butternut Brown-Butter Pumpkin PieKabocha Miso Pie with Black Sesame Crumb Crust (Japanese × American)Pumpkin Pie Crème Brûlée CupsRendang beef tacosJerk Chicken Rice-and-Peas PaellaKimchi Bulgogi Cheese Murtabak (Korean × Malaysian)Bulgogi Roti Jala Wraps with Gochujang Mayo (Malaysian × Korean)Chai-Spiced Pistachio Rugelach with Cardamom Glaze (Jewish × Indian)Rugelach Jam Crumble BarsDulce de Leche Sachertorte (Austrian × Argentine)Pressed Caramel Salt Bread with Vanilla Ice CreamSauerbraten Galbi-Jjim (German × Korean)Butcher's Snags with Beer-Caramelised Onions on Toasted SourdoughGalbi-jjim Short Rib Ragù with Rice Cakes (Korean × Italian)Vanilla Bean Petticoat TailsSalted Caramel Millionaire's Shortbread BarsBrown-Butter Cardamom Skillingsboller with Overnight RiseMiso Caramel Skillingsboller (Japanese × Norwegian)Cinnamon Bun Bread Pudding CupsBulgogi Smash Burger with Butter Kimchi and Gochujang MayoBrown Butter Salted Dark Chocolate S'moresNo-Yeast Soda Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese GlazeSom Tam Chicken TacosCharcoal Lamb Leg Sosaties with Apricot Glaze and Mint YogurtOvernight Speculoos with Fresh-Ground SpicesSpeculoos Hotteok (Belgian × Korean)Black Treacle Sticky Toffee Pudding with Salted Toffee SauceWhite Miso Sticky Toffee Pudding with Miso ButterscotchSticky Toffee Mug Cakes with Salted Toffee DrizzleBrown-Butter Brussels Sprout Stoemp with Beer-Braised SausagesSweet and Sour Pork Tacos with Pineapple SalsaBaked Lemon-Blueberry Syrniki Cups with Crumble TopBulgogi Tacos with Kimchi SlawBulgogi Beef and Cheese Tamales (Korean x Mexican)Ningbo-Style Lard Tangyuan with Jujube-Ginger Syrup and OsmanthusCrispy Pan-Fried Black Sesame Tangyuan with Ginger Brown-Sugar Caramel and Ice CreamKorean Sujeonggwa Pear Tarte Tatin with Ginger-Cinnamon CaramelUpside-Down Caramel Apple Puff SquaresThree-Cup Chicken Penne with Thai Basil-Peanut Pesto (Taiwanese × Italian)Three-Cup Glazed Chicken Skewers with Crispy BasilChorizo Tinga Poblana with Avocado CremaCast-Iron Toad-in-the-Hole with Beef Dripping and Red-Wine Onion GravyThick-Cut Rosu Katsu, Double-FriedTres Leches Overnight Oats with Strawberries and Cinnamon Almond CrunchBulgogi Vetkoek Sliders with Kimchi Mayo (South African × Korean)Coconut Waakye with Jerk Chicken (Ghanaian x Jamaican)Chicken Yassa Bánh MìBulgogi Yorkshire Pudding Bowls

Updated 2026-10-10