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brown sugar

SweetenersYear-round

Brown sugar contains similar caloric content to white sugar (approximately 16-17 calories per teaspoon) with negligible micronutrient differences; the molasses provides trace amounts of minerals including potassium, calcium, and iron.

About

Brown sugar is refined granulated sugar combined with molasses, a byproduct of the sugar refining process. It exists in two primary forms: light brown sugar (containing approximately 3.5% molasses) and dark brown sugar (containing 6-7% molasses). The ingredient originated as a natural intermediate product of cane sugar refinement but is now commonly produced by adding molasses back to white sugar for consistency and moisture retention.

Brown sugar possesses a distinctive moist, clumpy texture due to its hygroscopic molasses content, and delivers a deeper, caramel-forward sweetness compared to white sugar. The molasses imparts subtle notes of toffee, vanilla, and spice depending on the source cane variety and refining methods employed.

Culinary Uses

Brown sugar is essential in baking, particularly for cookies, cakes, and brownies, where its moisture and molasses content contribute to chewy textures and complex flavors. It is widely used in savory applications including barbecue rubs, glazes for ham and ribs, and Asian stir-fries where its deeper sweetness balances salty and savory elements. Common in desserts like fudge, caramel sauces, and toffee, it also appears in oatmeal cookies, snickerdoodles, and pie fillings. Brown sugar dissolves readily in wet batters but requires light packing when measuring for dry applications to ensure accuracy.

Used In

Recipes Using brown sugar (627)

RCI-DS.004.0018.001

Banana Casserole

Banana Casserole from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0024.001

Banana ketchup

you can put it in hamburgers and cakes.

RCI-BR.003.0049.001

Banana Mango Bread

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RCI-BR.003.0055.001

Banana Oat Bread

Makes 18 servings.

RCI-BR.003.0057.001

Banana Raisin Walnut Muffins

Banana Raisin Walnut Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.004.0025.001

Bananas Foster

A dessert that consists of lengthwise-sliced bananas quickly sauteed in a mixture of rum, brown sugar and banana liqueur and served with vanilla ice cream.

RCI-SN.002.0030.001

Bananas Foster Chimichangas

Bananas Foster Chimichangas

RCI-BR.001.0019.001

Barabrith

Barabrith from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.002.0025.001

Barbados Pork Roast

Barbados Pork Roast from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.003.0028.001

Barbecued Lima Beans

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: The Illust

RCI-MT.002.0026.001

Barbecued One-dish Meal

Makes 6 servings

RCI-MT.002.0028.001

Barbecued Ribs

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Marlboro C

RCI-MT.005.0021.001

Barbecue Meatballs

Makes 3 servings.

RCI-MT.002.0033.001

Barbecue Sauce

Contributed by Sylvia at World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-MT.002.0036.001

Barbecue Sauce - Kansas City style

Barbecue Sauce - Kansas City style is a tomato or ketchup based sauce used on meats. Kansas City-style barbecue sauce is the most common version used in the United States. It is tomato or ketchup based with sweet, sour and smoky elements.

RCI-MT.002.0037.001

Barbecue Sauce - Sweet

Barbecue Sauce - Sweet from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.002.0038.001

Barbecue Sauce with Beer

Barbecue Sauce with Beer from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0039.001

Barbequed Catfish with Summer Grilled Corn Relish

A Catfish recipe.

RCI-MT.002.0041.001

Barbequed Pork

Serves 4 to 6

RCI-SC.007.0026.001

Barbeque Sauce with Beer

Barbeque Sauce with Beer from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.004.0032.001

Barely-fried Rice with Egg

Barely-fried Rice with Egg from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0007.001

Barger Estate Piccalilli

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Barger Estate in Mckinney, Texas in 1997.

RCI-VG.003.0035.001

BBQ Beans

Beans are a staple in many households. The Drawback to using dried beans as opposed to the canned variety has simply been time constraints. With your pressure cooker you can have your own home cooked beans in 70% less time.

RCI-MT.001.0018.001

BBQ Beef Ribs

BBQ ribs are a great alternative to the classic pork ribs and more economical.

RCI-SC.007.0029.001

BBQ Sauce I

Place all ingredients in a large stockpot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours. When sauce has reduced, strain through a sieve. Use immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.

RCI-BR.003.0067.001

Beans and Wieners under Cornbread

This recipe came from The Printey Estate sale. It was obtained it as part of the Family Collection from The Printey Estate in Forney, Texas in 2001.

RCI-SP.004.0021.001

Beans for Champs

A healthy and delicious dish that’s perfect for active kids.

RCI-VG.001.0058.001

Bean Sprout Salad

Bean Sprout Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.003.0008.001

Beef braised in Beer

Beef braised in Beer from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0023.001

Beef Brisket in Beer

Beef Brisket in Beer from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SW.004.0004.001

Beef Fajitas

When I visited San Antonio, TX, years ago, my cousin took me to the Texas Folklife Festival, where he introduced me to fajitas, telling me that they were originated by poor people who cut "beef skirts" (skirt steak) across the grain to make this tough cut much more tender.

RCI-MT.001.0031.001

Beef Salad

Beef Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.001.0041.001

Beer-barbecued Flank Steak

Beer-barbecued Flank Steak from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.002.0050.001

Beer Bratwursts

Submitted by Fatal I fucking love bbq, and this is something I make all the time. Better than your run of the mill bratwursts since they aren't burned on the outside and soft in the middle.

RCI-BR.006.0037.001

Best Canadian Butter Tarts

Great Canadian invention of the butter Tarts. Requires basic cooking skills and really a joy to eat !

RCI-BR.005.0056.001

Best-ever Skippy Peanut Butter Cookies

Rich, chunky, nutty, chocolaty. Need I say more?

RCI-BR.005.0059.001

Best of the West Cookies

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group * Makes 4 dozen

RCI-DS.001.0073.001

Bittersweet Banana Chocolate Mousse

I first made this mousse when I was in college and needed to make something quick for a potluck at a friends house. I adapted it from Mollie Katzen's 1998 cookbook "Vegetable Heaven".

RCI-MT.001.0047.001

Black and Blue Moo

Part of Icehewk's entry in Iron Chef SA 028:Balsamic Battle

RCI-BR.004.0064.001

Blackberry Jam Cake with Caramel Icing

From my Aunt Maggie's Collection. Notation on card says 1932.

RCI-SC.005.0014.001

Blackberry Salsa

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Pryor estate in Grapevine, Texas in 1996.

RCI-BR.005.0072.001

Black Walnut Chocolate Drop Cookies

Source: Elaine Radis

RCI-BR.005.0074.001

Blonde Almond Toffee Brownies

Desserts

RCI-BR.005.0076.001

Blueberry Crumb Bars

This recipe came from the Hartman Estate Sale. It was obtained it as part of the purchase of the Family Collection from the Hartman Estate in Arlington, Texas in 1984.

RCI-DS.004.0039.001

Blueberry Granola Crumble

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RCI-BR.003.0089.001

Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0093.001

Blueberry Streusel Soy Muffins

Blueberry Streusel Soy Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.002.0016.001

Blue Corn Pan Bread

A River of Recipes: Native American Recipes Using Commodity Foods by the USDA Food Distribution Program on Native American Reservations

RCI-BR.003.0096.001

Blue Corn Scones

Blue Corn Scones A River of Recipes: Native American Recipes Using Commodity Foods by the USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 8

RCI-BR.003.0097.001

Blue Draws