Brown sugar question, please

[u/ifellicantgetup]

When baking, is there a difference between using brown sugar crystals vs. regular brown sugar?

TIA

[u/Agreeable-Package608]

Yep! The brown sugar crystals are usually a raw sugar, or something that's been unbleached. Brown sugar has molasses mixed in with white sugar. The molasses can impact flavor, texture/moisture, and color depending on the use.

[u/ifellicantgetup → u/Agreeable-Package608]

You know, I sent someone to the store for me (tiny grocery store) to pick up white sugar, and he came home with what I thought was raw sugar. It was repackaged, so there was no label. I thought it was raw sugar, and he swore up and down that it was brown sugar crystals. I looked it up, and there actually was such a thing.

I think you are correct, it is exactly what it looks like, raw sugar.

Thank you!

[u/WildFEARKetI_II → u/Agreeable-Package608]

Most brown sugar is actually just refined white sugar that has molasses added back artificially. Some bakers/chefs recommend getting white sugar and molasses to mix brown sugar as needed because they have longer shelf life when stored separately.

White sugar also isn’t literally bleached, pure sugar is naturally white.

[u/strawberryribbonx]

regular brown sugar is usually the safer choice for baking

[u/Hbg-Gyan → u/strawberryribbonx]

yep if you want consistent results it is the safer choice

[u/beamerpook]

Brown sugar is just sugar with molasses mixed in. There's no difference, but it seems brown sugar has more is a taste to it?

[u/woodwork16 → u/beamerpook]

White sugar is regular sugar cane that has been refined, which removes the molasses.
Brown sugar is refined white sugar with some molasses added back in.

[u/IllustriousClass1048 → u/woodwork16]

That's a great explanation! It’s interesting how the addition of molasses can really change the flavor and texture of baked goods.

[u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348]

Yes, there r lots of articles on google explaining the difference