Brown sugar substitute
1 cup packed brown sugar = 1 cup white sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses (light brown)
Substitutes for 1 cup packed brown sugar
Option 1
1 cup white sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses (light brown)
Mix with a fork until even. Use 2 tablespoons for dark brown sugar.
Option 2
1 cup white sugar
In a pinch the recipe will still work. The result is paler, crisper and less chewy.
Option 3
1 cup coconut sugar
A direct swap with a slight caramel taste. Slightly drier than brown sugar.
Amounts are for a US recipe. Need to convert them? See cups to grams.
Questions
What can I use instead of brown sugar?
For 1 cup packed brown sugar, you can use 1 cup white sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses (light brown); or 1 cup white sugar; or 1 cup coconut sugar.
What is the best substitute for brown sugar?
For most recipes, use 1 cup white sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses (light brown). Mix with a fork until even. Use 2 tablespoons for dark brown sugar.