Fix hardened brown sugar by using a simple paper towel! Then see our tip for keeping brown sugar from getting hard in the first place!
There are lots of tried and true methods to rescue dry and hardened brown sugar, but most of them require using other food like apple slices, bread or marshmallows to soften it.
When I found my container of brown sugar all hard and stuck together this morning I really didn’t want to waste more food to save THIS food.
How to Save Hardened Brown Sugar with a Paper Towel
So, I took the concept of adding moisture to the brown sugar container to refresh it and decided to dampen a piece of paper towel as my tool to soften brown sugar.
Now to soften brown sugar you need to add moisture without actually getting the sugar wet. If you do, it will dissolve and turn into an icky, sticky mess. You need moisture in the container but not complete wetness right on the sugar itself.
After wetting the paper towel, in order to put it in the container without touching the sugar, I just draped it over the edge of the sugar container and closed the lid.
When I got back home this evening, the brown sugar was all softened, except for the very bottom portion. I stirred up the sugar and put in another towel. I’m sure it will ALL be soft by morning! (And it WAS!)
UPDATE: Another way to PREVENT sugar from going hard is to use a terra cotta brown sugar bear. I use one now and it does a GREAT job of keeping brown sugar soft and without clumps.
How to use a terracotta brown sugar saver bear
It’s so easy to use. All you do is soak it in warm water for 15-20 minutes. Then pat it dry and place in your brown sugar storage container.
The brown sugar bear will keep your brown sugar soft for 3-6 months. It’s so simple and the little guy is pretty cute too!
Maintain moisture in your brown sugar and keep it soft for 3-6 months. Made from high fire, unglazed terracotta clay. Just soak it in water and place in your brown sugar container.
One other option if your brown sugar is hardened and you need to use it right away is to make your own brown sugar. It’s very easy to do and you only need two ingredients!
See how to make homemade brown sugar here.
deb says
i just microwave mine and it softens
Vida Brake says
I always use a slice of bread and it works really well
Pam says
I store my extra brown sugar in a small freezer i have for overflow from my refrigerator freezer. I keep an airtight container on the pantry shelf for misc. Uses, it is always fresh moist and eady to measure packed. When container gets low just refill the shelf container with some frozen. Frozen is kept in a freezer bag in the freezer and thaws out nicely.
Chrysa says
Great idea!
Debbie says
This is GENIUS!! Would love to have you share this at our weekly Super Saturday Link Party going now! http://www.madefrompinterest.net
Thanks!
Deb
KC @ The Real Thing with the Coake Family says
Well that was easy! Love tips like that. Thanks!
KC
Freebies 4 my Family says
never heard this b4 I am going to try it out for sure!
brich2222 says
This is a great idea! I hate wasting anything and brown sugar will get hard in no time.
Maria Iemma says
Wow, I had never head this tip. This will save me money and my sugars
Dianna says
Wow!1– I sure could have used this hint last night when I was getting the cinnamon rolls ready for this mornings breakfast– I’ve tried the apple– its ok– never heard of marshmellow or bread–pretty hand trick– I end up putting a few drops of hot water in a bowel with a bunch of brown sugar then into the microwave–it was ok but just a little wet–I used it any way– but this will be much better in the future–so thanks for the help.
rj7777 says
Thanks for the tip and so easy to do too!! I will try this with regular sugar too!! Rita Spratlen rjspratlen@gmail.com
Matt S. says
I always just throw away brown sugar if we forget to close it and it hardens up. Thanks for the awesome tips!