Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe - Gwen's Nest (2024)

Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe - Gwen's Nest (1)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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Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe - Gwen's Nest (2)

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!Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe - Gwen's Nest (3)

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.

Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe - Gwen's Nest (4)

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.

Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe - Gwen's Nest (5)[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!

Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe - Gwen's Nest (6)

4.7 from 24 reviews

Sweet Brown Recipe

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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

  1. Measure your sugar sub into a small jar
  2. Add molasses and flavorings, and blend with a fork until evenly distributed.
  3. 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.Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe - Gwen's Nest (8)

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Sugar Free Brown Sugar Recipe - Gwen's Nest (2024)

FAQs

What is the best sugar substitute for brown sugar? ›

Combining white sugar with molasses may be a better brown sugar substitute, but if you don't have molasses, other liquid sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar will work as well. You should mix a tablespoon or two of the liquid sweetener into a scant 1 cup of white sugar to replace a cup of brown sugar.

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.

What ingredient does brown sugar have that white sugar does not? ›

White and brown sugar are used similarly in cooking. However, brown sugar contains molasses, which will affect the taste and color of food.

Is there a sugar free version of brown sugar? ›

Brown sugar replacements provide the aroma, sweetness, and texture of regular brown sugar, but without all the calories and sugar content. They are divided into two groups: (1) zero-calories and sugar-free, and (2) reduced-calories and NOT sugar-free. They taste, smell, and feel soft and moist like LIGHT brown sugar.

Is brown sugar or powdered sugar a better substitute for white sugar? ›

Brown sugar is the simplest substitute for granulated sugar. You can use light or dark brown sugar as a 1:1 substitute. It makes for darker, denser baked goods with a more caramel or molasses flavor, which is wonderful for classic chocolate chip cookies, but less desirable for delicate cakes.

How to make brown sugar substitute? ›

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.

Can you use unsulphured molasses to make brown sugar? ›

This is probably one of the easiest to make recipes on my site because it only requires 2 ingredients! Granulated sugar. Simple white sugar is the base of this “recipe”. Unsulphured molasses.

What is the best molasses for diabetics? ›

Many people use blackstrap molasses in place of refined sugars for health reasons. They're lower on the glycemic index than conventional sweeteners, which means they won't spike your blood sugar as much. This makes blackstrap molasses a great alternative for people working to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

What is the ratio of molasses to sugar for brown sugar? ›

Light brown sugar: Use 1 tablespoon molasses for every 1 cup sugar. Dark brown sugar: Use 2 tablespoons molasses for every 1 cup sugar.

What is natural brown sugar called? ›

Enter brown sugars—such as turbinado, muscovado, and demerara—and syrup sweeteners, including molasses, maple, barley, and sorghum. Alexa Bosshardt, MPS, RDN, a Florida-based dietitian, chef, and industry consultant, says these sugars vary in crystal size, refining method, moisture, and flavor.

Which is the healthiest sugar? ›

You can opt for coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar, which are some good and healthy options. Another good option is shakkar, an unprocessed sugar rich in nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, and magnesium. You can also use jaggery to sweeten up your desserts and beverages.

Is brown sugar bad for your heart? ›

Although brown sugar can sweeten healthy foods you might not otherwise enjoy, keep in mind that a serving of brown sugar is fairly small -- just a teaspoon. Too much sugar in your diet can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, so it's important to limit your portions.

What is a good brown sugar substitute for diabetics? ›

Keystone Pantry Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Substitute – 2 LB Bag – Naturally Sweetened with Erythritol – Zero Net Carbs – Zero Calories – Gluten Free – Vegan, Keto, & Diabetic Friendly – Certified Kosher.

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.

Is there a brown sugar version of stevia? ›

Brown Sugar Substitute made from Stevia

A fan favorite, Pyure Organic Brown Sweetener sweetens just about everything from keto coffee and brown sugar lattes to savory sauces for stir-fries or barbecues. It also works wonders in homemade baked goods like muffins, cookies, and cakes.

What sugar is the same as brown sugar? ›

A reader was making my salted peanut butter biscuits and asked if she could substitute brown sugar for muscovado sugar, and the short answer is yes, absolutely. They are totally interchangeable in most cases and are, in reality, almost the same thing.

What are the healthiest sugar substitutes? ›

Stevia and monk fruit are both naturally derived from plants and some people feel they have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. The FDA says these sweeteners are “generally regarded as safe,” which means they are safe to use for their intended purpose.

Is brown sugar healthier than white sugar? ›

From a nutrition perspective, there's no advantage to using white sugar over brown sugar or vice versa, the Sugar Association says: "Nutritionally speaking, all natural sugars have relatively comparable nutritional value with approximately 15 calories per teaspoon (4.2 g)."

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