Learn the way to soften hardened brown sugar, whether or not you want it shortly or simply need to salvage some brown sugar for later baking initiatives!
We’ve all been there. You’re all set to bake one thing scrumptious, however whenever you open your container of brown sugar, it’s rock arduous. Or perhaps you often discover that you’ve got problem retaining your brown sugar from hardening. Don’t fret, although, as a result of there are some easy methods to salvage your brown sugar and get you again on observe shortly. And there are some easy options designed to hold your brown sugar contemporary and delicate, too.
Reading: How to make brown sugar softer
Let’s begin with why brown sugar will get hardened. Not like different kinds of sugar, brown sugar crystals are coated in molasses. When brown sugar is uncovered to air, the moisture within the molasses evaporates, inflicting the sugar crystals to stick collectively.
Table of Contents
How to Soften Brown Sugar within the Microwave
By far, the quickest means to soften hardened brown sugar is to use your microwave. Simply place the brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Then both place a moist paper towel on high of the bowl or fill one other microwave-safe bowl with water. Place the bowl(s) within the microwave. Warmth for 30 seconds at half-power and verify for softness. If needed, proceed heating in 15 second intervals till the brown sugar is sufficiently delicate.
You may want to use a fork to break up any lumps of brown sugar. Additionally take care not to overdo it, otherwise you’ll soften the sugar. And also you’ll need to use the sugar pretty shortly after letting it cool.
Use this technique when you want your brown sugar softened shortly. In any other case, hold scrolling for another strategies, together with my favourite technique for retaining brown sugar delicate.
How to Soften Brown Sugar within the Oven
Whereas the outcomes aren’t as fast as utilizing your microwave, your oven may even assist soften brown sugar. Wrap your hardened brown sugar in aluminum foil, and place it in a 250°F oven. I like to recommend putting the wrapped brown sugar on a baking sheet simply in case there are any spills.
Fastidiously verify the brown sugar for softness each 5 minutes (It’s sizzling, you realize!) till adequately softened. Then let the brown sugar to cool earlier than utilizing in your recipe.
How to Soften Brown Sugar Utilizing Bread or Apple Slices
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This one could appear a bit odd, however simply go along with it. Place your hardened brown sugar in a sealable plastic bag or an hermetic container. Place a slice of contemporary delicate bread or a number of apple slices within the container with the brown sugar. Cowl it tightly and depart in a single day.
Examine the brown sugar for softness the subsequent morning. If needed, seal the container once more and verify once more after a number of hours. Be certain to take away the bread or apples! (I’ve additionally learn this works with marshmallows!)
How to Soften Brown Sugar with a Dampened Towel
Dampen a kitchen towel or thick paper towel. Wring it out nicely to take away as a lot extra water as doable. Place the brown sugar in a bowl, and canopy the bowl with the dampened towel in order that the opening is totally lined however the towel will not be touching the brown sugar. Go away the lined bowl in your countertop in a single day or till the brown sugar has softened.
Should you retailer your brown sugar in an hermetic canister, you too can cowl the highest floor with aluminum foil or plastic wrap,and place the dampened towel on high of the foil or plastic wrap. It’s essential to put that layer of safety between the sugar and the damp towel. In any other case, you’ll discover that your brown sugar has turned suspiciously white. Shut the container and depart in a single day or till the brown sugar has softened.
How to Soften Brown Sugar with a Terra Cotta Disk
There are terra cotta disks made particularly for softening brown sugar, however you too can use any clear piece of terra cotta, like from a damaged pot. I might search for a food-safe terra cotta. Merely soak the terra cotta in water for about half-hour, dry the surplus water completely, and place it together with your brown sugar in an hermetic container. Go away the container tightly sealed in a single day and verify for softness the subsequent morning.
You may depart the disk within the container to assist your brown sugar retain its moisture. You’ll want to repeat the soaking course of for the terra cotta each couple of months, however doing this frequently will hold your brown sugar from hardening.
How NOT to Soften Brown Sugar
You will have heard that you need to use a meals processor or a blender to soften hardened brown sugar. Some recommend utilizing a field grater. Or simply going loopy beating it into submission till it’s not a tough lump. Doing this solely breaks the sugar into smaller items, and doesn’t add again the moisture that’s been misplaced.
So when you might get that brown sugar brick damaged down, you’ve not really fastened the underlying challenge. Any of the opposite above strategies I listed will work accurately to give your brown sugar new life!
How to Preserve Brown Sugar Smooth
I’m a giant believer in retaining a terra cotta disk in my brown sugar container. The opposite strategies I described will soften hardened brown sugar, however the terra cotta technique may even hold your brown sugar delicate for a very long time. Preserve your brown sugar in an hermetic container that’s not too huge so there’s as little extra air area as doable. Add considered one of these disks, and also you’ll simply have the opportunity to hold that sugar good and delicate.
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If you need to attempt a terra cotta disk, you’ll discover many choices accessible. I take advantage of an hermetic OXO container that permits their terra cotta disk to connect to the lid. I’ve used it to soften rock arduous brown sugar, and I additionally dampen the disk often to hold the brown sugar delicate. That is my most popular technique for storing brown sugar and retaining it delicate.
How to Retailer Brown Sugar
As you now know, the important thing to retaining your brown sugar delicate is to assist it retain its moisture. Storing brown sugar in an hermetic container is often sufficient to stop hardening, however I like to take an additional step to make positive it stays delicate and prepared to use.
As I simply described, I want retaining my brown sugar in an hermetic container with a terra cotta disk. Should you use this technique, you’ll periodically want to repeat the method of dampening the terra cotta to hold your brown sugar delicate.
As a result of air publicity is the wrongdoer in hardening brown sugar, there’s additionally the choice of constructing further positive that your sugar storage is hermetic. Attempt putting the sugar in a zip-top plastic bag and squeeze out the additional air. Then place that bag inside an hermetic container.
It’s inevitable that brown sugar will ultimately change into arduous if saved lengthy sufficient. Should you don’t use it often sufficient to keep away from hardening, retailer it in your freezer. It is going to want to be in an hermetic container like a zip-top bag with the surplus air eliminated. Then simply take away the container from the freezer two or three hours earlier than you’ll want to use it.
With a little bit effort and planning, you possibly can simply hold your brown sugar in ready-to-bake mode. But when that fails, you merely want to add moisture again to the brown sugar to make it useable. Fortunately you’ve a number of choices, whether or not you want to use the sugar inside hours or minutes!
Now, when you’re wanting a little bit brown sugar baking inspiration, attempt a few of these recipes that function brown sugar in all it candy glory:
- Brown Sugar Shortbread
- Brown Sugar Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Brown Sugar Pound Truffles with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting
- Brown Sugar Banana No-Bake Cheesecake
- Brown Sugar Crinkles
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