How to Freshen Up Brown Sugar
Rock hard brown sugar does not have to ruin your baking plans. Remedy this problem and prevent it from occurring in the future with some readily available items in your kitchen. Brown sugar hardens and clumps into the texture of brick when the moisture from the sugar's molasses dries out. This molasses, removed during the refining of white sugar, gives brown sugar its distinctive flavor and texture. When the sugar becomes hard and stale, you can bring it back to its original freshness. According to brown sugar maker CH Sugar, properly kept in a sealed container, brown sugar will last indefinitely on your shelf. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Brown sugar
- Microwave
- Microwaveable plate
- Paper towel
- Glass measuring cup
- Resealable storage bag
- Foil or plastic wrap
- Resealable jar
Instructions
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1
Transfer a small amount of the brown sugar to a microwave safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Alternatively, place the entire package in the microwave opened with a glass measuring cup full of water next to it.
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2
Heat the sugar in to the microwave for 30 seconds to soften and freshen brown sugar on a plate. Increase the heating time to two to three minutes to freshen an entire bag of brown sugar.
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3
Freshen brown sugar without a microwave. Move hardened brown sugar from its original container into a resealable storage bag. Lay a piece of plastic wrap or foil on the surface of the sugar.
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4
Set a damp paper towel on top of the foil.
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5
Seal the bag and place it into a resealable jar with the lid tightly closed overnight to maintain the sugar's freshness and to slowly soften it over several hours.
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Tips & Warnings
Use microwaved brown sugar immediately after heating to prevent it from clumping and hardening again.
Store a newly opened bag of brown sugar in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent clumping.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit brown sugar image by Bube from Fotolia.com
