Here is a foolproof method to soften rock-hard brown sugar and revive its soft, sand-like texture with minimal effort.
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Ever find yourself with a rock-hard brick of brown sugar? Don’t fret!
There is an easy solution to the problem. I’ve tried the most common ways to soften brown sugar and I can confidently say one method was a clear winner!
Popular Ways to Soften Brown Sugar
I bulk-purchased a few bags of brown sugar for my baking projects to only end up with solid bricks of hardened brown sugar in my pantry! Thus, I went on a quest to find the best ways to soften it.
Here are the most common methods for softening brown sugar and my thoughts on each method.
Apple slice method
HOW: Place the hardened brown sugar in an airtight container along with apple slices. Allow to sit for a few hours, or overnight.
MY VERDICT: This method works, but fishing out wet, browned, and sugar-coated apple slices from a bag of brown sugar isn’t appealing. Not to mention, brown sugar is now infused with apple flavor/smell. No thanks.
Microwave method
HOW: Place the hardened brown sugar in a microwave-safe container. Cover it with a damp paper towel and microwave in 10-20 second increments, breaking it apart with a fork.
MY VERDICT: I truly wanted this method to work. It sounds so easy and fast. BUT unfortunately, it wasn’t as easy and quick as it sounds! I even tried placing a damp paper towel inside and covering the container airtight to create steam. I then let it sit for 10-15 minutes after microwaving to allow the steam to soften the sugar. Yet, I still needed to keep microwaving and chiseling at it with a fork. Too much work!
Oven method
HOW: Place the hardened brown sugar on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F. Check often and break it apart with a fork every few minutes. Cool the brown sugar before using it.
MY VERDICT: Honestly I didn’t try this method. Again, preheating the oven, baking and breaking it apart every so often, then cooling sound way too much work. I can go to the store and buy a new bag of brown sugar in that time!
Food processor or grater
HOW: Pulse the hardened brown sugar in a food processor or grate it on a box grator.
MY VERDICT: Again, I didn’t try this method. Maybe it works, or maybe it creates a huge sugar mess, and/or breaks your food processor. I don’t even understand how it is even a method to soften brown sugar. Hard pass!
Bread method
HOW: Place the hardened brown sugar in an airtight container along with a couple bread slices. Allow to sit for a few hours, or overnight.
MY VERDICT: This worked like a charm! It took me less than 5 minutes to place the sugar in a freezer bag with bread slices. Then forget about it for a day. When I checked on it the next day, the brown sugar was soft and resembled wet sand just as it should be!
How to Soften Brown Sugar (Easy Way!)
- Place hardened brown sugar in a large airtight container. I use a freezer bag.
- Add 1-2 slices of bread slices. A regular sandwich bread is perfect for this, and I use bread heels to minimize waste.
- Seal the container/bag airtight and allow it to sit overnight.
- The next day, find your brown sugar nice and soft!👌Discard the bread slices.
Keep it gluten-free
Of course, you can use gluten-free bread for this method.
But you can also use large marshmallows, or a damp terra cotta disk in place of bread slices. It works the same way!
How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft:
Brown sugar hardens due to the moisture evaporating over time, leaving behind those frustrating clumps. To prevent this, it’s important to store brown sugar properly!
- Store brown sugar in an airtight container.
- You can also throw in a few marshmallows as an insurance.
My favorite brown sugar container
I love my brown sugar container that comes with a terra cotta disk. It’s perfect for a 2lbs bag of brown sugar!
My Favorite Recipes with Brown Sugar
Brown sugar adds flavor and moisture to a lot of baked goods. These are my favorite recipes using brown sugar:
How to Soften Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- Hardened brown sugar
Equipment
- Freezer bag or airtight container
Instructions
- Place hardened brown sugar in a large airtight container. I use a freezer bag.
- Add 1-2 slices of bread slices. A regular sandwich bread is perfect for this, and I use bread heels to minimize waste.
- Seal the container/bag airtight and allow it to sit overnight.
- The next day, find your brown sugar nice and soft! Discard the bread slices.
Tips & Notes
– Gluten-free bread
– Large marshmallows
– Soaked terra cotta disk
