Today I want to talk on all the types of sugar! Have you ever thought what’s the difference between light brown sugar and dark brown sugar? Or can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar in this recipe?
Let me help break down the different types of sugar so you know their uses in a recipe. Overall, you are gonna learn a lot of stuff all about sugar.
Table of contents
My parents divorced when I was younger so I knew learning to cook and bake was something I had to learn. I started to master cooking fork-tender pork chops for my dad and I, and then went on to attempt cookies, cakes and more.
As I spent time in the kitchen, using old-school cookbooks, I became more confident. I then researched all the types of sugars to learn the differences. It helped me a lot when it came to the recipes, knowing what kind of sugar I need for this specific recipe.
Types of Sugar You Need To Know
Granulated Sugar
Granulated sugar is one of the most used sugars in many baking recipes. It is a refined sugar that has many purposes.
If you see a recipe call for ‘sugar’ with no other words before or after, it generally means granulated.
If a recipe called for (caster sugar) superfine granulated sugar, instead of buying a whole bag for one recipe, put your sugar in a food processor or blender and pulse until it becomes a lot finer.
This will give you a smoother sugar that you won’t taste the grit when you bite in.
Recipes like cocktails, meringues, dinner rolls, quick pies, fudge, and more all need a fiber sugar or it won’t dissolve and you feel the sugar granules.
Organic Cane Sugar (3 lbs) by Anthony’s, Gluten-Free & Non-GMO
Cane Sugar
Cane sugar 
comes from you guessed it, sugar cane! You will find cane sugar is a slightly larger grain and is slightly darker in color. It is similar to granulated sugar but it does have a larger price tag on it.
You can use cane sugar like you would granulated sugar in recipes.
Demerara Sugar
A raw sugar cane sugar that is hardly refined. Demerara
is amber colored and larger granules that can be used to top baked goods for that sugar-crusted top, or even sweeten a cup of coffee or tea!
Some recipes use a larger granule sugar on top for that bakery style muffin look and this is a wonderful sugar to use and buy for that. It has a mild and subtle molasses flavor.
Confectioners Sugar
This light, soft sugar is a sugar that has been ground down into a really fine powder. Top your French toast, use in frosting recipes, toss in the recipe for sugar cookies and more.
Many recipes call for powdered sugar for its powder-like consistency. It adds that sweetness and makes the batter even creamier. I love it on puppy chow, one of my favorite desserts.
Light Brown Sugar
Light brown sugar
offers a wetter and almost sandy texture. It is a white sugar that has a little bit of molasses added in. It will give you that caramel flavor when you use it for baking cookies and other sweets.
Brown sugar is also great for cooking to add sweetness to a dish.
We make steaks and use a small amount of brown sugar in the rub and it gives the steaks the perfect crust as it cooks on the grill. This sugar is super versatile.
Dark Brown Sugar
Dark brown sugar is darker in color and has more molasses mixed in. Sometimes a recipe calls for a dark or light brown sugar. The difference is dark brown sugar is going to bring you a deeper caramel taste whereas light brown sugar offers a mild and softer flavor. So maybe you don’t want that to stand out in a recipe you go with light brown sugar.
Can you use light brown sugar in replace of dark brown sugar in a recipe? Absolutely, these two sugars and so similar you can use one or the other. It will slightly change the flavor but you won’t risk the texture!
Sugar – Dark Muscovado (Mauritius)
Muscovado Sugar
Similar sandy wet and dark appearance to a brown sugar this Muscovado sugar
is called for a lot in things like marinades, barbecue sauce and more. A very deep and rich flavor much stronger than a dark brown sugar.
Muscovado sugar (also known as Barbados sugar) is an unrefined cake sugar that hasn’t removed the molasses. Same as brown sugar you have the option of a light or dark blend.
NOW Foods Organic Turbinado Sugar, 2.5 lbs
Turbinado Sugar
You will find this sugar looks very similar to a brown sugar, but note it is not the same. Turbinado sugar
is used a lot for sweetening up drinks. Sometimes you might bake with this sugar but more often you reach for an actual brown or granulated sugar for the recipe.
Common Questions
Regular sugar is granulated sugar in most recipes. It can confuse people cause it doesn’t use the technical term of granulated and they say regular instead.
Yes. Now know it will change the flavor in your recipe as brown sugar has a molasses flavor. So you will get a more molasses/caramel flavor. Use 1 cup brown sugar per 1 cup of granulated. There is no need to adjust measurements to swap sugars.
Same if you want to substitute white sugar for brown sugar in a recipe.
There are many options for replacing white sugar in a recipe. Whether you want a sweetener or an all-natural sugar I got you covered.
To replace 1 Cup of Granulated Sugar here is conversions:
1 cup brown or dark brown sugar
1 cup cane sugar
⅔ or ½ cup honey and ¼ tsp baking soda for every cup honey (this varies)
1 tsp Stevia
¾ cup maple syrup
⅔ cup agave
Those will give you an idea of what you can use to replace and conversion ratios of what you need!
Therefore, the biggest difference between honey
and sugar is honey is a natural item. Sugar is man-made while honey is made when bees produce it.
I hope this helps you to learn the different types of sugars that are mostly used. Plus I wanted to answer some common sugar questions.
Of course, there are so many other types of sugars out there, but this is a great starter to really help you to see how each sugar works in recipes and general uses!
Can You Make Powdered Sugar
In a pinch, grab granulated sugar and a blender or food processor and let me share how to make powdered sugar!
Pour granulated sugar into your blender
or food processor
. Blend or pulse until you see the sugar is extra fine, becomes fluffy like powdered sugar.
If you want to give a smoother consistency add in a small amount of cornstarch to help give a silkier consistency.
Easy Desserts
Grab that bag of sugar and other ingredients and try out one or more of these easy dessert recipes. From using brown sugar to granulated sugar and all things in between.
No Churn Pistachio Ice Cream is an easy pistachio ice cream recipe you can make without an ice cream machine. 4 ingredients is all that is needed for this creamy and sweet pistachio dessert.
Peac hScones are a homemade scone that is studded with peach slices in each bite. Fluffy, light, and delicious flavor in the scones.
Lava Cakes are a must make. A rich chocolate cake that as you cut into it, a liquid chocolate oozes out. This molten chocolate lava cake is a must make dessert.
Nutella No Bake Cookies are a delicious no bake cookie made with hazelnut spread. This no bake cookie recipe is so easy, and a no flour cookie. Gluten free, easy, and no baking required.
Whip up this 4 ingredient Lemon Puppy Chow today. It is a sweet and crunchy muddy buddies recipe with a lemon twist. Fresh lemon flavor in each bite. This is my go-to no bake lemon dessert recipe.
Peach cobbler muffins are a delicious peach muffin with a sweet streusel on top. These are a tasty peach dessert you can make with fresh, frozen, or canned peaches.
Almond Crescent Cookies are an easy and delicious crescent cookie, or also known as a moon cookie. These are a flaky and fluffy almond flavored cookie that is dusted with powdered sugar.
Cactus Cupcakes are a fun and easy cactus shaped cupcake. These are a wonderful summer cupcake, great for birthday parties and more. Learn how to make cactus cupcakes with simple ingredients.
Christmas Shortbread Cookies is a classic shortbread cookie recipe dipped in white chocolate and decorated for Christmas. Give this holiday cookie recipe a try for the holidays.
Puppy Chow Balls or Puppy Chow Truffles are a puppy chow ball that is dipped in chocolate then rolled in powdered sugar. A new and fun way to eat your favorite puppy chow dessert. Give this easy no bake puppy chow recipe a try.
Banana bread with a crumb topping is a delicious and moist banana bread recipe. Whip up this easy and delicious banana bread recipe for breakfast or a dessert.
Pancake muffins - you will use pancake mix as the base of these muffins. I used blueberries to make these easy muffins. A simple and easy muffin recipe you will make over and over again.
Cheesecake dip is an easy and delicious no bake dessert. This cheesecake dip is made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and whipped cream. Add on sprinkles for a fun twist of color.
Molasses cookies are a delicious soft and chewy molasses cookie recipe. This cookie recipe is loaded with molasses, warm spices, and baked to perfection. I also share how to making icing for a frosted molasses cookie if you choose.
Gingersnap cookies are a warm and spice filled thin gingersnap cookie recipe that is homemade. A classic gingersnap that can be frosted, iced, or even dusted with sugar.
Buckeye candy is a peanut butter ball that is dipped in a dark chocolate. A delicious no bake peanut butter dessert that is great for entertaining and even as a Christmas candy. A simple and easy peanut butter buckeye ball recipe.
Cherry Crisp is a delicious and easy cherry dessert. This is loaded with red tart cherries in a thick and creamy base, and then topped with some hearty oats and brown sugar cinnamon topping. A quick and easy cherry crisp recipe that doesn't use pie filling.
Raspberry Cream Cheese Dip is a delicious dessert dip made with cream cheese, fresh raspberries and more. A simple and easy raspberry dip that is great to pair with fresh fruit, cookies, and even pretzels. A great make ahead dessert dip recipe.
Cherry Poke Cake is a white cake that is poked full of holes and topped with a cherry gelatin. Once chilled it is topped with a cheesecake topping and cherry pie filling. A delicious poke cake recipe perfect for this weeks dessert or potluck dish.
Here is a list of desserts that all start with a boxed cake mix. These cake mix recipes are delicious, easy, and so simple to throw together. Don't wait try one or more of these recipes today.
Overall you can see not all sugars are equal. I hope this helps you master sugar in the kitchen! What is your favorite go-to sugar for baking?
Comments & Reviews
Jim says
Holy smokes! I had no idea that there were so many types of sugar! Very informative article.