• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Helen
    • About Helen
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Virtual Baking Classes
  • My Books
    • Baking as a Business
    • The New Pastry Cook
  • Recipe List
  • Baking Information
    • Baking Information Index
  • Follow Helen
  • Subscribe

Pastries Like a Pro logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Baking Classes
  • About Helen
  • Subscribe
  • St. Patrick's Day
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Baking Classes
    • About Helen
    • Subscribe
    • St. Patrick's Day
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipe Index

    Published: Apr 21, 2022 · Modified: Sep 28, 2022 by Helen S Fletcher · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

    Three Easy Sugar Fixes

    Granulated sugar
    Granulated Sugar

    Three easy sugar fixes may just get you through that recipe that needs one of these and guess what? You're out! If you saw Monday's post - Sugar, The Sweetest Part of Baking, you know there are many different sugars both dry and liquid. But all that knowledge doesn't help when there isn't any. Any one of these remedies may just help.

    BROWN SUGAR

    Brown sugar is simply granulated sugar that has been coated in molasses.  The darker the sugar, the more molasses and deeper the taste.  It’s easy to duplicate at home.

    For each cup of light brown sugar, measure 1 cup granulated sugar.  Remove 1 tablespoon and substitute 1 tablespoon light or dark molasses. If using weights, weigh 185 grams granulated sugar and add 1 tablespoon molasses.

    how to bake better custard
    Baking gets better when you subscribe

    Baking gets better when you subscribe to receive this PDF on getting the most out of baking including information on equipment, ingredients and baking equipment.

    Light Brown Sugar
    Light Brown Sugar

    For dark brown sugar, remove 2 tablespoons sugar and substitute 2 tablespoons molasses.

    Homemade brown sugar
    Dark Brown Sugar

    There is no need to mix the sugar and molasses together.  Just add them to the recipe where the brown sugar is called for.  If using a scale, weigh 175 granulated sugar (6 ounces) and add 2 tablespoons molasses.

    POWDERED SUGAR (CONFECTIONERS SUGAR)

    Powdered, confectioners or icing sugar as it is can also be referred to, dissolves instantly in liquid.  It is used for quick glazes, frosting for a cake or cookies and in some baked cookies for a softer texture.  It can also be used as part of the sugar in meringues.  

    Place 1 cup of granulated sugar in a blender (do not use a food processor, it won’t work).  Add 1 teaspoon cornstarch.  The cornstarch will keep the sugar from clumping.  Blend until powdered. Because this is lighter than granulated sugar, a cup will weigh 130 grams or 4 ½ ounces.

    Powdered Sugar
    Powdered Sugar

    SUPERFINE SUGAR (BAKER’S SUGAR)

    Superfine or Baker’s Sugar is a staple in bakeries.  It is simply granulated sugar that has been ground very, very fine so it dissolves quicker and easier.  While it can be hard to find in grocery stores, it is a cinch to make at home.  Egg whites in particular, especially for meringues, call for superfine or baker’s sugar.  It's also very useful when creaming butter and sugar or combining eggs or yolks with sugar

    Simply place granulated sugar in a processor bowl and process 10 to 20 seconds until very, very fine.  I make a larger amount than needed and  keep a container of superfine sugar in my pantry so it’s ready when I need it.

    This weighs 200 grams per cup or 7 ounces, the same as granulated sugar.

    Bakers Sugar
    Bakers Sugar

    Three Easy Sugar Fixes Not Just in a Pinch

    These Three Easy Sugar Fixes can be used in a pinch or really anytime. I especially keep a container of Bakers Sugar in my pantry. I noticed this week when shopping that they are selling Bakers Sugar - at really inflated prices.

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    More Recipe Index

    • Toasted coconut and macadamia nuts are the basis of these heart shaped shorbreads on a lattice plate over purple.
      Tropical Shortbread Cookies
    • A fudgy brownie on the bottom with a chocolate and butterscotch chip cookie on top.
      Brownie+Cookie=Easy Brookie Recipe
    • Basic muffins are shown plain and with sanding sugar glistening on top.
      A Perfectly Easy Basic Muffin Mix
    • Dulche de leche cookies with the five finishes - pecan, pecan and sugar, plain chocolate, plain cookie, with sanding sugar
      Dulce de Leche Cookies - Your Way

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary Howard says

      August 10, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      Is there a way to substitute light brown sugar for dark brown sugar? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Helen S Fletcher says

        August 10, 2022 at 10:57 pm

        Either one can be used. It doesn't really matter. Both are a combination of granulated sugar and molasses. The light brown sugar has less molasses than the dark.

        Reply
    2. Grace says

      August 10, 2022 at 1:01 am

      You are my hero!

      Reply
      • Helen S Fletcher says

        August 10, 2022 at 5:07 am

        Thanks Grace.

        Reply
    3. Carol McNally says

      April 21, 2022 at 7:54 am

      Thanks so much for this post!! It was extremely helpful to know how to make a sugar that I’m out of when baking.

      Reply
      • Helen S Fletcher says

        April 21, 2022 at 5:41 pm

        You're so welcome Carol.

        Reply
    4. nikkipalssbcglobalnet says

      April 21, 2022 at 7:11 am

      Is the super fine sugar measured 1:1 the same way as regular granulated sugar?

      Reply
      • Fern says

        April 21, 2022 at 11:54 am

        I also want to know about the measurements of granulated to superfine sugar.

        Reply
        • Helen S Fletcher says

          April 21, 2022 at 5:42 pm

          The same as granulated. 1 cup weighs 200 grams or 7 ounces just as granulated.

          Reply
      • Helen S Fletcher says

        April 21, 2022 at 5:41 pm

        Yes Nikki it is. It is just superfine.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Helen! Being a self-taught baker and owning a bakery for over 25 years, I found many ways to make baking more successful and less intimidating. Even busy people can bake as in many cases, recipes can be done over days. The goal is to make your baking life easier, more enjoyable, with great outcomes on a consistent basis.

    More about me →

    St. Patrick's Day

    • Irish Apple Cake dusted with powdered sugar on a white and green tray
      Irish Apple Cake
    • A slice of Guinness Cake sits on a gold and white plate.
      Easy Chocolate Guinness Cake for Father’s Day
    • A white chocolate glaze on top of the Bailey's Cheesecake sitting on a dark chocolate crust. The cheesecake sits on a white plate with a fork on the plate.
      The Definitive Bailey's Cheesecake
    • A Warm Lava Cake sits on an antique plate with a spoon and coral napking and Bailey Sauce in the background.
      Warm Chocolate Lava Cakes with Bailey's Sauce
    • A tray of breakfast cookies with a blue striped glass of milk.
      Versatile Breakfast Cookies
    • An individual Gingerbread with Orange Sauce on a white plate with dots.
      Gingerbread with Orange Sauce

    Subscribe to receive our free ebook

    SUBSCRIBE

    Popular Recipes

    • Baked or Fried Doughnut
      Fried or Baked Doughnuts - Your Choice
    • Pan Size Conversions
      Pan Size Conversions
    • Gateau Breton
      Gateau Breton
    • Flavorings as Used in Baking and Pastry
    • flour for The Frustrating Facts of Measuring Flour
      The Frustrating Facts about Measuring Flour
    • Layers of laminated dough
      A Discussion of Laminated Doughs

    Available Now

    Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, as well as other sites and in book stores.
    AUTOGRAPHED COPIES ARE AVAILABLE
    Click here to purchase an autographed copy.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Helen

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Flickr
    • Instagram

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 PASTRIES LIKE A PRO