How soften brown sugar quickly
Every time I buy brown sugar, it's hard by the time I want to use it, even if the package is unopened. How can I soften it quickly to use it in my recipes? And, any tricks to keep it from hardening in the first place?
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Expert Comments
If you're trying to soften hardened brown sugar, the fastest way is to warm it up in your microwave. Follow these steps:
Alternatively, you can heat it in the oven.
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- Put the brown sugar into a microwave-safe bowl, and cover it with a damp paper towel.
- Put in your microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
- Try breaking the brown sugar apart with a fork. If it's still hard or clumped, put it in for another 10 seconds.
Alternatively, you can heat it in the oven.
- Heat your oven up to 250°F (120°C).
- Spread the brown sugar onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place it in your oven.
- Check the sugar every couple of minutes to make sure it doesn't burn. It's done when you can break it apart easily with a fork.
Not all brown sugar is created equal so my first suggestion is to buy a quality brand of brown sugar. I have had to change brands when this happens frequently. I would also recommend investing in an airtight container to store the brown sugar. Put the sugar in the container as soon as you get it home to prevent hardening.
If your brown sugar becomes hard and cannot be easily broken up with your hand, I'd recommend throwing it away because it will change how your food tastes. Some chefs say you can put the hardened brown sugar in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften the sugar, but it is not something I do. Brown sugar can be challenging, but good brown sugar will make your food delicious.
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If your brown sugar becomes hard and cannot be easily broken up with your hand, I'd recommend throwing it away because it will change how your food tastes. Some chefs say you can put the hardened brown sugar in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften the sugar, but it is not something I do. Brown sugar can be challenging, but good brown sugar will make your food delicious.
If your brown sugar has hardened, try one of these quick fixes:
Microwave Method (Fastest)
Oven Method (For Large Amounts)
Bread or Apple Slice Method (Overnight)
Marshmallow or Damp Towel Trick
How to Keep Brown Sugar from Hardening
✅ Store in an Airtight Container – Use a sealed glass or plastic container instead of the original bag.
✅ Use a Brown Sugar Saver – A small piece of terra cotta (like a sugar bear) keeps it soft.
✅ Add Moisture – Store with a slice of bread, apple, or marshmallow to maintain moisture.
✅ Freeze It! – Brown sugar stays soft when frozen and is easy to scoop when needed.
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Microwave Method (Fastest)
- Place the hard sugar in a microwave-safe bowl
.
- Cover it with a damp paper towel
.
- Microwave in 10-15 second bursts , fluffing with a fork between each, until soft.
Oven Method (For Large Amounts)
- Preheat the oven to 250°F
(120°C).
- Place the sugar in an oven-safe dish
and cover with foil.
- Heat for 5 minutes , then check and stir if needed.
Bread or Apple Slice Method (Overnight)
- Place the sugar in an airtight container
with a slice of bread or apple.
- Let it sit overnight , and the moisture will soften the sugar.
Marshmallow or Damp Towel Trick
- Add a few marshmallows
to your sugar container.
- Or wrap a damp paper towel in foil, poke holes, and leave it in the container for a few hours.
How to Keep Brown Sugar from Hardening
✅ Store in an Airtight Container – Use a sealed glass or plastic container instead of the original bag.
✅ Use a Brown Sugar Saver – A small piece of terra cotta (like a sugar bear) keeps it soft.
✅ Add Moisture – Store with a slice of bread, apple, or marshmallow to maintain moisture.
✅ Freeze It! – Brown sugar stays soft when frozen and is easy to scoop when needed.
Reader Comments
I pour the brown sugar in a bowl and microwave it for about 20 seconds, then break it up with a fork. If it's not softened, you microwave it for another 20 seconds or so. Works every time!
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Just blitz it in a food processer for a few seconds to break it up. A blender might work too.
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Try keeping your brown sugar in an airtight container; this will prevent it from getting hard in the first place. I keep mine in a basic mason jar and it keeps it soft and ready to use-but you could use an airtight bag, tupperware, or any other airtight container.
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my grandma taught me to put a few marshmallows in the bag of brown sugar and it works like magic to keep it from drying out! so simple too
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Throw a piece of bread in with your brown sugar and it should soften up in as little as an hour!
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Reader Tips from How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft
Store your brown sugar in the freezer to prevent it from getting hard. Just make sure it's in a tightly sealed or airtight container.
If you store brown sugar in a bag, roll out all of the air first so its less likely to harden up.
Reader Tips from How to Make a Sugar Scrub
Start off with a hot shower and a soft flannel to get rid of any dirt. Then apply the exfoliating sugar scrub, and rinse it off with cold water.
Wear an exfoliating glove when you apply your sugar scrub for additional cleaning power.
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