A sugar-free brown sugar recipe is not something you really ever think about until you are working on going low carb. And the holidays hit. And then it ranks right up there as a ‘need’ next to toilet paper and oxygen.
“Wait…they MAKE that already,” you might say. “There is a very tasty product called Just Like Brown Sugar that is sugar free!” I get excited…I rush over to Amazon to view said product. And I realize that there is no way that I am going to pay upwards of $20 for a little one pound pouch of the stuff. No. Way.
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And then this brilliant Trim Healthy Mama named Margaret comes up with a totally simple recipe, and said I could share it all with you. And suddenly the world all makes sense again. My kitchen can smell like spice cookies and we can all go caroling together in the snow. Except for not that last part because it never snows down here in the South. But we can TOTALLY do the spice cookies now. And that nearly makes up for the no snow thing. (almost)
Today on Trim Healthy Tuesday, we’re going to make our OWN sugar free brown sugar!
A huge, HUGE thank you to Margaret for making winter baking and goodies possible for this mostly sugar-free Trim Healthy Mama. ♥
It really couldn’t be simpler. Just add a bit of blackstrap molasses to your sugar-substitute of choice. You can use erythritol or xylitol as the base. You may also try it with Just Like Sugar, but I’ve not experimented with that one yet.
Here’s the OFFICIAL THM Sweetener Conversion Chart, if you need it.
*An Important Update*: I’ve gotten some concerned comments about the fact that blackstrap molasses IS in fact sugar, so this recipe is NOT in fact sugar free.You caught me with your scientific facts.
Yes, there’s a teensy-tinesy amount of sugar in the blackstrap molasses. If you eat the entire cup of low carb brown sugar *bless your heart* you’ll get 3 carbs from the sugar, and 12 1/2 calories.
Most of us will get far less than that per serving size when this is used in a recipe.* These are numbers I can live with. And to show my repentance, I’ve changed the name to low carb brown sugar on the photos.
It feels so good to get that all out in the open now. Carry on.
I also added a couple of drops of Frontier Butterscotch natural flavoring just to give a little more oomph to it. Then you stir and crunch it around with a fork until it looks like this and smells like heaven.
[bctt tweet=”You won’t even believe how perfect this brown sugar is! #lowcarb”] It has the right smell, the right texture, and the right taste.Margaret is my food hero. Here’s a pinnable, and your printable Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe
to pin!
Sweet Brown Recipe
This delicious sugar free brown sugar recipe sub is affordable, so-super-simple, and best of all, it tastes and smells amazing! Yes, it's got a teensy tinesy amount of sugar in the blackstrap molasses. If you eat the entire cup of granules *bless your heart* you'll get 3 carbs and 12½ calories from the sugar. Most of us will get far less than that per serving size.
Author: Gwen
Recipe type: Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar free sweetener of your choice, like erythritol or xylitol
- ¾ teaspoon molasses, blackstrap is preferred*
- 2-4 drops extract of your choice: butterscotch, maple, or rum
Instructions
- Measure your sugar sub into a small jar
- Add molasses and flavorings, and blend with a fork until evenly distributed.
- Use in your favorite recipes as a 1:1 substitute for the base sweetener you used.
Notes
*blackstrap molasses contains more nutrients and minerals than other types.
Xylitol does contain calories, and is toxic to dogs. It's also slightly sweeter than erythritol and can be used 1:1 with table sugar in recipes.
You may try adding in a ¼-1/2 t. of stevia extract for a 'Truvia' brown sugar blend. This will adjust the sweetness up a bit if using erythritol.
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FAQs
The best brown sugar alternative for baking is Whole Earth Allulose Blend because it offers the optimal combination of sweeteners: allulose + erythritol with monk fruit + stevia.
What is a non sugar substitute for brown sugar? ›
You can still create a suitable substitute for brown sugar if you have a liquid sweetener like maple syrup, agave nectar, honey, brown rice syrup, or date syrup. Of these, date syrup is your best bet thanks to its caramel-like, almost nutty flavor that's reminiscent of molasses.
How to make brown sugar without molasses or maple syrup? ›
Add a tablespoon of buckwheat honey to a cup of white granulated sugar. This honey is darker than orange blossom or wildflower honey and has a strong flavor much like molasses that will come through in the resulting sugar.
What is the healthiest sweetener for a diabetic? ›
The best sweeteners for people with diabetes
- Stevia.
- Tagatose.
- Sucralose.
- Aspartame.
- Acesulfame potassium.
- Saccharin.
- Neotame.
- Monk fruit.
Date Sugar
If you're avoiding refined sugars, date sugar may be a perfect brown sugar replacement. It's created from dehydrated dates and has a similarly sweet, more caramel-like flavor to brown sugar. Try ⅔ cup of date sugar for every cup of brown sugar for a healthy brown sugar substitute.
How do you mimic brown sugar? ›
Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses to mimic a cup of light brown sugar. Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons of molasses to mimic a cup of dark brown sugar. If you don't have molasses on hand, you can combine white sugar with another liquid sweetener, like maple syrup or honey.
Is there non sugar brown sugar? ›
Brown Shuga® by Puresweet 500g, Natural Brown Sugar Alternative, No Bitter Aftertaste, Keto and Diabetic Friendly, Non GMO, Vegan, with Stevia.
Is there a keto-friendly brown sugar? ›
One of the primary nutritional benefits of keto brown sweetener is its low carbohydrate content. Unlike traditional brown sugar, which is high in carbohydrates, keto brown sugar substitutes like erythritol, stevia, and monk fruit contain minimal to zero net carbs.
What is a quick substitute for brown sugar? ›
A combination of white sugar and molasses is your best bet for a brown sugar substitute, as that's exactly what brown sugar is made of (1). To make your own light brown sugar, mix 1 cup, or 200 grams (g), of granulated white sugar with 1 tablespoon (tbsp.), or 15 milliliters (mL), of molasses.
What kind of molasses is best for brown sugar? ›
Light or dark molasses work well for most baking projects, but seek out unsulphured molasses for the purest flavor. If you don't have molasses on hand, you can substitute an equal amount of pure maple syrup, agave nectar, date syrup, or a dark honey (like buckwheat) in the homemade brown sugar recipe above.
Homemade brown sugar is simple and easy and tastes exactly like store-bought! You'll never run out of brown sugar if you keep two simple ingredients on hand: white granulated sugar and molasses.
What can I use instead of molasses for brown sugar? ›
Brown sugar is actually a combination of granulated sugar and molasses, so it's a good substitute for molasses. While measurements may vary per recipe, you can generally replace 1 cup molasses with 3/4 cup packed brown sugar. Dark brown sugar will have a stronger molasses flavor than light brown sugar.
Can molasses go bad? ›
Mold on molasses can look like a barely perceptible slick on the surface, or a noticeably fuzzy, discolored patch. If you see even a tiny spot, throw out the entire jar. Molasses can also expire in less obvious ways. If it seems to have separated or has an unpleasant odor, it's also time to purchase a new bottle.
Is there a safe sugar substitute for diabetics? ›
You can use most sugar substitutes if you have diabetes, including: Saccharin (Sweet'N Low) Aspartame (NutraSweet) Acesulfame potassium (Sunett)
What is the safest non sugar sweetener for diabetics? ›
4 safe sugar substitutes for diabetics
- Monk fruit extract. Monk fruit naturally contains mogrosides, a type of antioxidant responsible for the sweet taste of this treat. ...
- Stevia. ...
- Erythritol. ...
- Fresh fruit.
Lower risk of blood sugar spikes
Maple sugar contains low amounts of fructose, which gives it a lower glycemic index than white and brown sugars. This glycemic index ranks foods based on how quickly they cause your blood sugar to rise. Blood sugar spikes can cause tiredness and hunger soon after a meal.
Is golden monkfruit like brown sugar? ›
With Lakanto Golden Monkfruit Sweetener. It is the perfect 1:1 brown sugar substitute that tastes and bakes exactly like brown sugar. Not only does it dissolve easily but gives your baked goods a warm and mapley taste.
A sugar-free brown sugar recipe is not something you really ever think about until you are working on going low carb. And the holidays hit. And then it ranks right up there as a ‘need’ next to toilet paper and oxygen.
[bctt tweet=”You won’t even believe how perfect this brown sugar is! #lowcarb”] It has the right smell, the right texture, and the right taste.Margaret is my food hero. Here’s a pinnable, and your printable Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe
