Storing Brown Sugar – How to Keep it Soft

It’s happened to every cook—novice or pro. You’ve gathered all your ingredients for your favorite cookie recipe, only to find the brown sugar hard as a rock. Frustrating, right? You might curse, then try chiseling it with a butter knife. If that fails, you may seal it in a plastic bag and pound it with a meat tenderizer. Still no luck? Some even resort to dropping it on the floor or stomping on the bag with work boots.

Seriously, though, hard brown sugar is a common issue, especially when not stored properly.

Understanding Brown Sugar Hardening

Brown sugar contains molasses syrup, which gives it its distinctive color and flavor. Dark brown sugar has more molasses than light brown sugar. Unlike white sugar, brown sugar’s higher moisture content—thanks to molasses—makes it prone to hardening when that moisture evaporates, often due to improper storage of an opened box, turning it into a solid brick.

Unopened brown sugar rarely hardens unless the container isn’t airtight. For instance, a hole in the inner liner or bag can lead to hardening inside the box.

Preventing Hardening

Whether your brown sugar stays soft depends largely on how you store opened containers. Experts suggest various methods, most of which are effective.

One of the best ways is to store brown sugar in an airtight container, like Tupperware® or similar products, and place it in the refrigerator or freezer. Frozen sugar feels hard but thaws to its powdery form in about an hour. Refrigerated sugar needs about 15 minutes to return to room temperature. You can also keep it in its original plastic bag, tightly sealed, or in a glass jar or canister with a gasket-sealed lid.

Another popular method is storing a piece of bread with the brown sugar. Alternatively, some use half an apple or an orange slice to maintain the sugar’s ideal consistency.

Kitchen specialty stores sell small clay disks (or other shapes) that you soak in cold water and place in the sugar bag, covering the disk with sugar. This allows storage at room temperature.

Softening Hardened Brown Sugar

If your brown sugar has hardened due to improper storage and you can’t grab a new box, there are ways to restore its moisture.

Your first option is the microwave. Place about ½ pound of hardened sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with two damp (not dripping) paper towels, then tightly wrap the bowl with plastic wrap. Microwave for 2 to 2½ minutes, depending on your microwave’s wattage. Break up the warmed sugar with a fork, stir, and use immediately. (Caution: the sugar will be very hot!)

Alternatively, place the open sugar bag in the microwave with a cup of water beside it. Microwave on high for 2–3 minutes, turning the bag each minute.

If time allows, place the sugar in a bowl, cover it directly with foil or plastic wrap, and add a crumpled, damp paper towel on top. The sugar will absorb the moisture as the towel dries out.

Always use re-softened brown sugar immediately and avoid re-storing it.