You only need two simple ingredients to make brown sugar at home, and it is quick and easy to prepare when you run out.

Whether you are looking to save money by making your own, or have unexpectedly run out, this is a great recipe to keep on hand. With only two ingredients, this can easily be memorized and save you in a pinch.

How to make brown sugar

White sugar and molasses are the only ingredients needed to make brown sugar. They simply get stirred together until combined, and voila, you have authentic brown sugar. It is really as easy as that.

You can stir them with a hand mixer, but it can get a little messy. My favorite method is to wear rubber gloves and combine everything with my fingers.

• Light brown sugar - Combine 1 cup of white sugar with 2 teaspoons molasses.
• Dark brown sugar - Dark brown sugar is simply light brown sugar with more molasses. You can make it by combining 4 teaspoons of molasses with 1 cup of sugar.
• Make light brown sugar dark - If you have light brown sugar on hand and need dark for a recipe just add 2 teaspoons of molasses to one cup of light brown sugar.

Substitutions

This recipe makes a great substitute when you run out of it in your pantry, and you may be wondering if you even need to mix it, or if you can just add the sugar and molasses right into the recipe? If you are making something like a chili or barbeque sauce, then go ahead and just add sugar and molasses separately to the pot if you don't mind the measurements not being exact. Everything will meld at it cooks anyway. However, for seasonings like my BBQ Dry Rub I recommend mixing the molasses and sugar together before combining with the other ingredients.

What can I substitute for molasses?

If you don't keep molasses on hand and need a substitution, maple syrup would be my next recommendation, followed by honey. You can use them in the same quantities or adjust them to fit your tastes.

How to store brown sugar

The best way to store this is in an airtight container with a piece of bread. The bread will dry out, leaving the sugar soft and moist. When the bread gets rock hard, just swap it out with another one as needed.

How to Soften Brown Sugar

Perhaps you didn't store your brown sugar with bread and now it has turned into a rock. Have no fear, you can easily soften brown sugar by draping a wet paper towel over the opening of the container and microwaving it for 20 seconds. Microwave for additional time as needed.