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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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!
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.
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.
[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!
Sweet Brown Recipe
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
- Measure your sugar sub into a small jar
- Add molasses and flavorings, and blend with a fork until evenly distributed.
- 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.
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FAQs
The best brown sugar alternative for baking is Whole Earth Allulose Blend because it offers the optimal combination of sweeteners: allulose + erythritol with monk fruit + stevia.
What is a recipe for brown sugar substitute? ›
White sugar plus molasses
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.
What is sugar-free brown sugar made of? ›
As stated, to make this low-carb sugar-free brown sugar recipe at home, you need xylitol, erythritol, stevia, and blackstrap molasses. However, there are lots of options for those ingredients and some are better than others. The best prices on both xylitol and erythritol can be found on Amazon.
How do you make fake brown sugar? ›
Try these other methods of making "brown sugar":
- Add a tablespoon of maple syrup to a cup of granulated sugar. ...
- Add a tablespoon of agave nectar to a cup of granulated sugar. ...
- Add a tablespoon of buckwheat honey to a cup of white granulated sugar.
The Drawbacks of Allulose
While not many side effects have been identified, it's possible that when consumed in higher amounts, allulose may cause GI upset due to its poor absorption. In addition, some research shows that allulose may promote the growth of certain bacteria associated with poor effects on gut health.
Can diabetics eat brown sugar? ›
For people with diabetes, the use of brown sugar has no healthier effects than white sugar. Users should note that any added sugars should be limited as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet. Excess sugar intake is strongly linked to the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease.
What can I use if I don't have brown sugar for a recipe? ›
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 is a healthy substitute for brown sugar in cookies? ›
Honey, Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup
You can substitute ⅔ cup of these liquids for a cup of brown sugar, but you will want to slightly reduce your other liquid contents like water or oils to make up for the additional liquid content.
How to make brown sugar without molasses or maple syrup? ›
This is the best replacement for molasses and will yield the most similar results! Honey: use 1 cup of white sugar (200g) + 1 tablespoon (15ml) of honey. Buckwheat honey is best in terms of color and stronger flavor.
Can I use monk fruit sweetener instead of 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.
Place sweetener, stevia extract and blackstrap molasses in a bowl or jar. If using a jar place lid on securely and shake jar vigorously to mix in the molasses. You can also stir with a spoon or a fork to ensure that all the molasses is evenly mixed and you don't have any clumps.
Is there a keto-friendly brown sugar? ›
Sukrin Gold - Natural Brown Sugar Alternative - No Calorie Sweetener for Keto, Low Carb and Diabetic Diets - 1.1 lb Bag (1 Pack)
How do you make brown sugar flavor without sugar? ›
You can still create a suitable substitute for brown sugar if you have a liquid sweetener like maple syrup, agave nectar, honey, brown rice syrup, or date syrup. Of these, date syrup is your best bet thanks to its caramel-like, almost nutty flavor that's reminiscent of molasses.
Is there a diabetic substitute for brown sugar? ›
If you'd like to replicate the taste of brown sugar without its blood sugar-spiking effects, there are several alternatives that you can use, often made with sucralose or stevia, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Can you DIY brown sugar? ›
Two tablespoons of molasses to a cup of sugar will give you dark brown sugar. Light brown sugar is one Tbsp molasses per cup sugar.
What can I substitute for brown sugar without? ›
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 is the best sugar free sugar to use? ›
Stevia is a top choice if you want to lower your sugar intake while still enjoying a delectable taste; diabetics use stevia for this very reason. Its sweetness comes without the glucose spike, making it an ideal choice for people seeking a more health-conscious lifestyle.
Can I use Splenda instead of brown sugar? ›
Mix Splenda with molasses, stirring with a fork until well mixed and then further mixing with fingertips until it is of a brown sugar consistency. Measure and use as you would brown sugar. (24 grams Carb in 1 cup Splenda; 16 grams Carb in 1 Tbls molasses= 40 grams Carb per 1 cup brown sugar substitute).
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.
[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
