You're ready to bake and you've got one or the other. So is there a difference between light and dark brown sugar? We're here to explain (and share how to swap one for the other).
So, What’s the Difference Between Light and Dark Brown Sugar?
Updated on Feb. 13, 2024
There are a few baking staples everyone needs in their pantry: flour, sugar, chocolate chips, leaveners and brown sugar. But when you’re filling your pantry with these basics, you may find yourself asking what’s the difference between light and dark brown sugar? And do you need both?
What Is Brown Sugar?
Brown sugar is simply regular sugar with molasses added. Molasses gives the sugar its signature color and a richer flavor. Brown sugar has a slightly sandy, sticky texture.
It’s always measured by packing it into the measuring cup (versus scooping it loosely). This will give you a more accurate measurement, as will a kitchen scale.
Because of the addition of molasses, brown sugar can dry out over time. If brown sugar gets hard, you don’t need to toss it! You can soften brown sugar easily. A terracotta brown sugar bear or marshmallow tossed into the canister will do the trick.
What’s the Difference Between Light Brown Sugar and Dark Brown Sugar?
Now, when you’re out shopping for your next baking marathon, you’ll find that store shelves are stocked with two kinds of brown sugar. So what’s the difference between light brown and dark brown sugar?
It’s just the amount of molasses included in the bag. Dark brown sugar has more molasses, which gives it a deeper color and more pronounced molasses flavor.
Can I Substitute Dark Brown Sugar for Light Brown Sugar?
When it comes to substitutions, feel free to swap light brown and dark brown sugar for one another in equal measure. These two types of sugar can be used interchangeably in any recipe.
If you want more molasses flavor in your recipe (this may be the case with something like baked beans or barbecue sauce) and you only have light brown sugar on hand, just stir an extra tablespoon or two of molasses into the recipe. That will give you that bold flavor you’re looking for while also saving you a trip to the store.
When it comes to baking with brown sugar, there’s not much need to add that bit of extra. Most recipes that call for brown sugar, such as classic chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls and chocolate cake, are layered with plenty of other flavors; you won’t notice a little more or less molasses in the grand scheme of things.
Our Favorite Brown Sugar-Filled Recipes
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Granny’s Gingerbread Cake with Caramel SauceThe rich molasses and spice flavor of this old-time dessert is complemented with a buttery caramel sauce. —Joy Sparks, Muskegon, Michigan
(If your brown sugar is rock hard, we have tricks for how to soften brown sugar.)
Brown Sugar Pound CakeThis tender pound cake is the first one I mastered. You'll want to eat the browned butter icing by the spoonful. It tastes like pralines. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
Apple Dumpling Roll-UpsA family friend gave me a simple way to make apple dumplings without lots of steps. I love the sticky cinnamon topping. —Jenny Leighty, West Salem, Ohio
Rhubarb CrumbleOur rhubarb crumble is filled with a unique combination of bright pink rhubarb stalks, fresh strawberries and apples.
Apple PandowdyYou may not have heard of apple pandowdy, but this classic dessert is even easier than apple pie.
Fresh Plum Crumb DessertMy old-fashioned dessert has the perfect sweet-tart balance with its fresh-plum tang and sweet, crispy topping. Imagine it warm from the oven, served with a scoop of ice cream…yum! —Janet Fahrenbruck-Lynch, Cincinnati, Ohio
Icebox CookiesThis cookie recipe from my 91-year-old grandmother was my grandfather's favorite. She still makes them and sends us home with the dough so that we can make more whenever we want, I love to make a fresh batch when company drops in. —Chris Paulsen, Glendale, Arizona
Buttermilk Peach Ice CreamMy mother's family owned peach orchards in Missouri. I currently live in Tennessee, a top consumer of buttermilk. This summery ice cream combines my past and present. —Kim Higginbotham, Knoxville, Tennessee
Old-Fashioned Honey Baked ApplesMy baked apple recipe is very old-fashioned yet tried and true. It's definitely a comfort food. —Rachel Hamilton, Greenville, Pennsylvania 
Cranberry-Almond Apple Pie This recipe is a family treasure. My grandmother made this treat for the holidays. It's much better than everyday apple pie. —Maxine Theriauit, Nashua, New Hampshire
Coconut CookiesThis coconut cookie recipe delivers a mellow, lightly sweet-tasting cookie that's the perfect complement to a bowl of ice cream. And while we doubt you'll have any left over, they freeze well, meaning you'll always have a sweet treat on hand when the craving strikes.
Apple CrumbleA fall favorite, this easy apple crumble feeds a crowd. Don’t forget to buy some vanilla ice cream!
Pineapple Upside-Down CakePineapple upside-down cake was once a retro relic that now ranks among the most classic desserts of all time. Follow our traditional recipe below—no extra frills needed here!
Caramel-Pecan Apple PieYou'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia, to my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona
Baked Cranberry PuddingThis is an old-fashioned pudding that's a cranberry lover's delight. Serve warm topped with whipped cream for an elegant look, or in bowls with rich cream poured over for a homey touch. —Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado
Warm Cinnamon-Apple ToppingYou'll quickly warm up to the old-fashioned taste of this cinnamon-apple topping. Spoon it over vanilla ice cream or slices of pound cake. —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
Vanilla CookiesEveryone needs a simple vanilla cookie recipe. This one, made from a slice-and-bake dough that you can mix together in a single bowl, yields thin, soft and chewy cookies perfumed with brown sugar and vanilla.
Caramel Pear PuddingDon't expect this old-fashioned dessert to last long. The delicate pears and irresistible caramel topping make it a winner whenever I serve it. It's nice to have a tempting fall cake that puts the season's best pears to excellent use.
—Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa
Chunky Apple CakeAfter taste testing lots of apple cakes, I've found this apple cake recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California
Gingersnap Crumb Pear PieThis basic recipe was one my grandmother used for making crumble pies from fresh fruit. She simply substituted oats, gingersnaps or vanilla wafers depending on the fruit. Pear was always my favorite, and I added the ginger and caramel to give it a new twist. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Cranberry-Apple Nut CrunchMy mother gave me the recipe for this dessert, which I think is especially pretty and very appropriate for fall. I updated the recipe to use instant oatmeal to make it even easier. —Joyce Sheets, Lafayette, Indiana
Peanut Butter CookiesWe cream shortening instead of butter for this dough, resulting in an ultra-rich-tasting version of traditional peanut butter cookies. Also nice? They take less than 30 minutes to prepare.
Jam CakeThis old-fashioned jam cake—a melange of blackberry spread, brown sugar frosting and pecans—is a southern-accented dessert that's destined to become a favorite.
Brown Sugar Cutout CookiesOur neighbor made these for me when I was little, and now I make them for my kids, my grandkids and the children at school. Serve them with milk for the kids and tea for the grown-ups. —Nancy Lynch, Somerset, Pennsylvania 
Hot Milk CakeTravel back in time with this easy, old-fashioned hot milk cake recipe. Moist and tender, like a sponge cake and pound cake hybrid, it's the perfect snacking cake!
Apple Brown Betty RecipeWith warm spices and crisp bread crumbs, an apple brown betty is a perfectly fruity dessert without all the work of a pie.
Oatmeal Coconut CookiesWith our oatmeal coconut cookies, there's no need to choose between a crispy cookie and a chewy one. You can have the best of both worlds with this recipe.
Caramel-Apple Skillet BuckleMy grandma used to bake a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apples, pecans and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri
Caramelized Apple Hand Pies Caramelized apples are tucked in a hand pie that no one expects you to share! —Edwina Gadsby, Hayden, Idaho
Gingerbread Oatmeal CookiesCookie butter and ground ginger add a new layer of flavor. The recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies, and they go fast. You may want to make a double batch. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
Baked Apple SurpriseThis sweet-savory recipe is a favorite. Use Brie instead of blue cheese if you like things creamier. My tip? Bake the apples in a muffin tin so they won’t roll around. —Jessica Levinson, Nyack, New York
Glazed Spiced Rum Pound CakesMy recipe makes two loaf-sized treats, perfect for sharing. The spiced rum flavor really comes through in both the cake and the glaze. —Christine Russell, Littleton, New Hampshire
Moist Lazy Daisy CakeWe always called this Mama's never-fail recipe. I guess the same holds true for me since I've won contests with this lazy daisy cake. The tasty dessert always brings back fond memories of Mama. —Carrie Bartlett, Gallatin, Tennessee
Hermit CookiesDress up a cookie plate with these old-fashioned spice bars full of raisins, molasses, cinnamon, ginger and nuts. The chewy treats are great with coffee or hot cocoa on frosty days. These cookies are said to be called "hermits" because they keep well--they're even better when hidden away like a hermit for several days! —Jeri Tirmenstein, Apache Junction, Arizona
Cranberry PuddingThis recipe was given to me years ago by my Aunt Lena, who lived on Cape Cod where cranberries are grown. The combination of warm tart cranberries and a smooth sweet brown sugar sauce is the perfect ending to any holiday meal! —Phyllis Bellerose, Palmer, MA
Lebkuchen It's tradition for my family to make these German treats together. The recipe came from my great-grandmother's cookbook, and judging from the amount of requests I get, it has certainly stood the test of time. —Esther Kempker, Jefferson City, Missouri
Sticky Toffee Rice Pudding with Caramel CreamThe simple rice pudding gets a makeover with this upscale recipe. It has just the right thickness to soak up a hot caramel topping. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
Peach CrumbleFor an outstanding peach crumble, use the ripest, most juicy peaches you can find. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Baked Apple DumplingsThese versatile dumplings can be made with peaches or mixed berries in place of apples, and drizzled with hot caramel sauce instead of icing. Add vanilla custard or ice cream, and it’s the perfect dessert. —Evangeline Bradford, Erlanger, Kentucky
Peach Crumble PieA delightful summertime pie, this dessert is overflowing with fresh peach flavor. Each sweet slice is packed with old-fashioned appeal. The streusel topping makes this peach crumble pie a little different than the ordinary and adds homemade flair. —Sally Holbrook, Pasadena, California
