RECIPE: How to Make Refined Sugar Free Brown Sugar! (2024)

Feb 2, 2017

Did you know that brown sugar iseven moreprocessed than regular ole’ granulated white sugar? Yet another reason to avoid both brown sugarandwhite sugar. And that’s a pretty easy thing to do when this Healthy Homemade Brown Sugaris around!

If you love the taste of brown sugar but don’t want all the calories, carbs, and sugar, or the sugar rush and sugar crash, you gotta make this Healthy Homemade Brown Sugar! It doesn’t taste refined sugar free and low caloriein the slightest.

Compared to storebought brown sugar, this:

• has ⅐th the calories and carbohydrates
• is low glycemic (safe for diabetics)
• is just as sweet and just as tasty!

Super soft, super fluffy, and full of flavor! It even “packs” like real brown sugar,which is a big plus to me. Not to mention, youcan use it in any recipe to take place of brown sugar (yes, that meanscoookieeessss!!!). So add this to your tea, sprinkle it over your dessert-for-breakfast, and use it inyour desserts!

That’s right. An entire CUP of this Healthy Homemade Brown Sugar has just 110 calories. That means that 1 tablespoon has 7 calories.

As a reference, 1 cup of storebought brown sugar has 770 calories… where 1 tablespoon has 48 calories. DANG. I like these kinds of “savings” 😉

Enjoy!

.

With love and good eats,

30 comments on “Healthy Homemade Brown Sugar (Refined Sugar Free and Low Calorie!)”

1. Anonymous — April 22, 2012 at 6:14 pm

   i didn’t know it was that easy to make brown sugar! i feel so silly for buying it this whole time…..

   Reply

2. Tina Bk — April 22, 2012 at 7:02 pm

   This was an informative post and I will have to say I saw a comment that said “buy brown sugar because it is not processed”-how wrong was that statement?
   I will pass this along to a diabetic friend I have. I also see that yours has calcium and iron-unlike the other. Glad I popped in to see this, thanks for sharing. I hope you are enjoying the weekend!

   Reply

   • Jessica | Desserts With Benefits — April 22, 2012 at 7:29 pm

     Sadly, brown sugar is definitely processed. You may have heard about sucanat, which is a minimally processed, healthier sweetener that tastes like brown sugar, just doesn’t have that “moist” quality like brown sugar. Hope you’re enjoying the weekend too!

     Reply

3. The Wimpy Vegetarian — April 22, 2012 at 7:32 pm

   I make my own brown sugar all the time, but have been using granulated sugar. I want to try erythritol! I’ve never even heard of it. I’m so glad I found you through Foodbuzz!

   Reply

   • Jessica | Desserts With Benefits — April 22, 2012 at 7:46 pm

     Foodbuzz seems like such a great site! I’m so glad I joined. I hope you like the erythritol version 🙂

     Reply

4. Rachel @ Bakerita — April 23, 2012 at 7:10 am

   That’s awesome! Definitely ordering erythritol so I can try this out. My sister can only have very limited amounts of sugar, as well as gluten and dairy and while I can make her things that are gluten and dairy free pretty easily, sugar free always trips me up a bit because most artificial sweeteners taste weird in baked goods! I’ll definitely be trying this for her, seems perfect.

   Reply

   • Shanna — April 23, 2012 at 3:00 pm

     If I did my math correctly, given the $34.50 price for 3 lbs (1360g), a cup of this sugar is $4.87.

     Reply

     See Also

     Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe (Instant Pot directions too!)

   • Jessica | Desserts With Benefits — April 23, 2012 at 12:50 pm

     That sounds tough to live with, you should try stevia and erythritol because they are sugar/calorie-free and don’t affect blood sugar levels.
     I’m glad you found this then! I hope you like it 🙂

     PS: this is where I buy my stevia (Comes in 2 large bottles and lasts forever! Only a few drops can sweeten an unsweetened beverage!):
     http://www.amazon.com/SweetLeaf-SteviaClear-Liquid-4-Ounce-Bottles/dp/B001E5E3JY/ref=pd_ybh_3

     Reply

   • Jessica | Desserts With Benefits — April 23, 2012 at 5:02 pm

     Shanna-
     I never calculated the cost for this because, to me, health is wealth 🙂 If I can indulge in an unhealthy-tasting snack without the guilt, I’m definitely willing to pay a couple more dollars. With this DIY version, I’m just providing a healthier alternative to people who many need it. You don’t have to make it, but of course I’d encourage you to! 🙂
     -Jess

     Reply

5. Jason — April 23, 2012 at 2:59 pm

   I don’t really understand how Erythritol ((2R,3S)-butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol) mixed with molasses is less processed that brown sugar. I think I will stick with sugar that comes from a plant

   Reply

   • Jessica | Desserts With Benefits — April 23, 2012 at 5:08 pm

     Jason-
     White sugar is extremely processed with no nutritional value (1 tsp = 16 empty calories). Both white and brown sugar are detrimental to overall health (cause blood sugar spikes, sugar crashes, obesity, diabetes, depression, etc). Sugar may come from a plant, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you (kind of like butter). Personally, I have a vendetta against sugar because of my previous “addiction” to it (you can read about the About Me page if you like 🙂 ).
     Erythritol is actually natural occurring in fruits and other plants and has been proven safe for human consumption. Erythritol is also a much better/safer/healthier alternative to white sugar, Splenda, Sweet n’ Low, etc.
     It’s your choice to consume white sugar, I’m just providing a healthier alternative to those who are looking for one.
     -Jess

     Reply

     • Penny Norman — October 31, 2019 at 11:07 am

       I am Type 2 (T2) and Erythritol spikes my glucose almost as much as sugar itself. It is SUGAR-alcohol. Sugar is a 60 on the glycemic index (GI) and sugar-alcohols are 54. Combine that with molasses which is from cane sugar and it really isn’t a substitute for a diabetic. I have been learning a lot from being T2 and I am finding that abstinence is best! The best tasting substitute I have personally found is Pyre. It is Organic and Non-gmo both Stevia and Erythritol and the blend has zero aftertaste (or I have lost my taste buds…lol) But with it at least I am only getting half of the sugar-alcohol! This is a long hard journey that not even 3 months of Keto has fixed (And I mean hard core under 20 carbs about 95% of the time) I have lost 20 lbs but do not think I have gotten under my plateau as I still have a morning fasting glucose of between 130-170 even without eating after 7pm. Praying that permanent damage to my liver and pancreas from HIGH sugar consumption (read your labels…its in everything, especially low fat items) hasn’t occurred. Sorry I got so long winded, but this is becoming my passion….so much we have been taught that is diabetic friendly….just isn’t so….it will only keep you going to the dr….keep them prescribing medications….and never cure it at all. If anyone has any excellent alternative health info that isn’t paid for by big pharm to share….please pass it along….thanks and have a great day!

     • Jessica | Desserts with Benefits — November 1, 2019 at 5:21 pm

       Erythritol should not raise your blood sugar at all… what are you eating it with? Possibly those ingredients are raising your blood sugar.
       Molasses is a form of sugar, yes, however it is low glycemic and there is a very small amount used over a large quantity. No one should be eating the entire recipe in a single sitting. But I’m glad you found that “sugar abstinence” is what works for you! I need to eat sweets on a daily basis or I’ll go crazy 😉

6. Sarah — April 24, 2012 at 2:49 am

   I agree with Shanna, great idea, and wish I could do it, but that stuff is crazy expensive! Health may be wealth, but unfortunatly we are on a budget. It’s a bummer though because it is brilliant! I just looked it up though and you can make it the same way with regular cane sugar and molases

   Reply

   • Jessica | Desserts With Benefits — April 24, 2012 at 3:02 am

     Sarah-
     Yeah, brown sugar is pretty easy to make at home, only regular sugar isn’t very nutritious for how many calories you get… I guess I am just more inclined to pay more for healthy food as I don’t shop for clothes/makeup/accessories/other expensive stuff that normal girls get. Plus, I look for coupons like it’s my job 😛
     You could definitely try making brown sugar at home with regular sugar though! It’s actually kind of fun to make, hehe 😉

     Reply

7. Melissa — November 20, 2012 at 3:02 pm

   Would it be ok to substitute the granulate erythritol with xylitol? I’m assuming it would produce the same results since both are granulated? Xylitol is easier to find where I am vs granulated erythriotl 🙁

   Reply

   • Jessica | Desserts with Benefits — November 20, 2012 at 9:31 pm

     Yup, xylitol should work just fine! 🙂

     Reply

   • Melissa — November 21, 2012 at 1:58 pm

     Awesome! I was thinking of using homemade brown sugar using Xylitol for a pumpkin pie recipe for Thanksgiving! Can’t wait to try it :)thanks!

     Reply

8. Pingback: Desserts With Benefits

9. Pingback: Desserts With Benefits

10. Pingback: Desserts With Benefits

11. Janelle — October 9, 2014 at 11:02 am

    I had no clue it would be so easy to make!! Can I make a big batch and store it? Are there any specifics with that? How long is it good for?

    Reply

    • dessertswithbenefits — October 9, 2014 at 2:04 pm

      Janelle-
      I’m sure that will work just fine! I don’t usually make large batches of this but I’m sure it’ll keep just like regular brown sugar. Just make sure to keep it tightly sealed 🙂
      Hope you like the recipe!
      -Jess

      Reply

12. Madison — November 19, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    How is there 110 calories if there are only 60 calories in one tbs of molasses and zsweet is calorie free??

    Reply

    • Jessica | Desserts with Benefits — November 19, 2014 at 4:25 pm

      Madison-
      Erythritol does actually contain some calories — 48 calories per cup, to be exact. So 1 cup of this DIY Brown Sugar will have 108 calories 🙂
      -Jess

      Reply

      • Madison — November 19, 2014 at 4:45 pm

        Oh okie! Do you know how the body responds or stores the calories from erythritol??

      • Jessica | Desserts with Benefits — November 20, 2014 at 3:42 pm

        Madison-
        The body converts food into glucose for usable energy throughout the body. The body stores glucose if food is consumed in excess quantities. This is gross to write on a food blog, but the body just “pees out” erythritol, haha!
        If you’re interested in the science behind erythritol digestion, try researching some scientific journals and researches 🙂
        -Jess

      • Madison — November 20, 2014 at 5:54 pm

        Ah cool!! Thanks for your responses!!! 😀 I love your site!

13. Pingback: Healthy Homemade Butterscotch Chips | All Natural, Gluten Free, Vegan

14. Pingback: Healthy Homemade Pistachio Butter Recipe | Desserts with Benefits