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
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, drizzle 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of molasses or yacon syrup into a cup of any zero-calorie sweetener BLEND. Mix for a couple of minutes, and voila! You have a brown sugar replacement.
What is a recipe for brown sugar substitute? ›
Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses to mimic a cup of light brown sugar. Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons of molasses to mimic a cup of dark brown sugar. If you don't have molasses on hand, you can combine white sugar with another liquid sweetener, like maple syrup or honey.
How to make brown sugar without molasses or maple syrup? ›
Add a tablespoon of buckwheat honey to a cup of white granulated sugar. This honey is darker than orange blossom or wildflower honey and has a strong flavor much like molasses that will come through in the resulting sugar.
What is the healthiest brown sugar substitute? ›
Date Sugar
If you're avoiding refined sugars, date sugar may be a perfect brown sugar replacement. It's created from dehydrated dates and has a similarly sweet, more caramel-like flavor to brown sugar. Try ⅔ cup of date sugar for every cup of brown sugar for a healthy brown sugar substitute.
Can I use monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar? ›
TASTES JUST LIKE BROWN SUGAR: Contains zero net carbs and zero calories. Perfect for any recipe that calls for brown sugar. 1:1 BROWN SUGAR REPLACEMENT: Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener matches the sweetness of brown sugar, helping you fill your kitchen with a healthy cup-for-cup alternative to ordinary baking ingredients.
What is a healthy substitute for brown sugar in baking? ›
For 1 cup brown sugar, substitute 1 cup organic brown sugar, coconut sugar, or date sugar, or substitute up to half of the brown sugar with agave nectar in baking.
What can I substitute for 2 cups of brown sugar? ›
For every cup of brown sugar called for in your recipe, substitute 1 cup (198g) white granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons (14g) molasses for light brown sugar; or 1 cup (198g) white granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon (21g) molasses for dark brown sugar.
What is a keto substitute for brown sugar? ›
Unlike traditional brown sugar, which is high in carbohydrates, keto brown sugar substitutes like erythritol, stevia, and monk fruit contain minimal to zero net carbs.
Do they make artificial brown sugar? ›
Splenda® Brown Sugar Blend, 1 lb Pouch
Cut your calories in half with Splenda Brown Sugar Blend Sweetener! This mix of Splenda Sweetener and brown sugar bakes and tastes just as good as brown sugar with half the calories. The Splenda brand has always been committed to bringing you great taste with less calories.
Can you use stevia instead of brown sugar? ›
There are a variety of natural sugar substitutes — like stevia, monk fruit and coconut sugar — that you can use instead of white or brown sugar.
Even if you're out of molasses, you can still make your own brown sugar using a combination of white sugar and liquid sweetener. Try maple syrup, agave nectar, or honey, and follow the same ratio as above.
Can brown sugar be made without molasses? ›
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. Note, however, that none of these substitutes will achieve the same depth of flavor as molasses.
Can a diabetic have 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.
Can I replace brown sugar with stevia? ›
There are a variety of natural sugar substitutes — like stevia, monk fruit and coconut sugar — that you can use instead of white or brown sugar.
Does Truvia brown sugar taste like brown sugar? ›
Here's a sweet idea for the kitchen — Truvia Brown Sugar Blend, a delicious combination of Truvia Original Sweetener and brown sugar. It has the texture, moisture and taste you love about brown sugar, but with 75% fewer calories.
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.
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
