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How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft! {10 Easy Hacks}

May 15, 2012 By Heidi 21 Comments

I may get paid for ads or purchases made through links in this post.

Is your sugar clumping?  Make your brown sugar last longer when you learn how to keep brown sugar soft and fresh with these simple little tricks!

How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft

Would you like some simple little tricks for How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft?  Nobody likes clumpy sugar, and these easy tips for how to keep brown sugar from going hard work like a charm!

From clever little tricks straight from Grandma, to tried and true Genius Kitchen Tips shared by your frugal friends, now you’ll know just how to keep brown sugar from clumping up!  So don’t toss it yet!

If your sugar is as hard as a rock, here’s what you need to do…

Related:

  • 101 Genius Kitchen Tips and Tricks to Save Time and Effort!

How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft

#1: Use a Slice of Bread

How to Make Wheat Sandwich Bread

Shelly said: “My Grandmother taught me this trick… if you put a slice of bread in your bag/container of brown sugar, it will keep it moist and reduce the clumping.”

Cindy said: “While it is soft and fresh, keep a slice of bread in the container and it will keep it lump free.”

Anita said: “I always just put a piece of bread in with the brown sugar…when it’s all dried up (takes weeks) put a fresh piece of bread in it. You can use a slice of apple too. Both work like a charm and no more hard brown sugar!  It’s an old trick from my 96 year old mama.”

#2: Add a Terra Cotta Disc

Small little terra cotta discs also work great when added to your brown sugar container!  Simply soak them in a bowl of water, then add them to your air tight brown sugar container.  The sugar will draw moisture from them to remain soft.

Patti said: “I have the “brown sugar keeper” which is made of clay – you soak it for 10 minutes, dry it off and put it in your brown sugar. It’s been the best solution I’ve ever used for keeping brown sugar soft.”

Terra Cotta Sugar Saver Discs

#3: Consider a Wet Paper Towel

Marilyn said: “To keep your brown sugar from hardening…. store in plastic container and leave a slightly moistened paper towel on top of the brown sugar and place plastic lid over it. Always ready to use.”

Jen said: “Last night I put a damp paper towel on top of a piece of aluminum foil in my sugar jar.  This morning it was all nice and ready for a baking spree.  I knew it would work but didn’t realize how fast.  All the sugar was so packed I couldn’t even scrape nor stab it loose with a fork last night.”

#4: Use a Marshmallow

How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft Marshmallow

Suzanne said: “I keep marshmallow in mine.”

Jennifer writes: “I keep a couple large marshmallows in mine! Works like a charm!”

#5: Keep the Air Out

Pantry Organization Ideas

Lisa said: “Make sure to seal your sugar super, super tight with no air, and it stays moist.”

Related: Easy Pantry Organization Ideas!

#6: Add a Cracker

How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft and Fresh

Linda said: “I put a cracker in mine and it works”

#7: Use an Apple Slice

Ginger said: “A slice of apple works!”  Just like a damp paper towel, the sugar will draw moisture out of the apple and soften up.

#8: Add an Orange Peel

Suzanne writes: “Use the peel of an orange 🍊 just a piece works wonders and lasts for a long time”

#9: Make It Fresh As You Need It

Did you know you can make your own brown sugar at home with just 2 easy ingredients?  It’s so easy!!  Learn how to make yours with this easy Brown Sugar Substitute trick!

Laura said: “I just make it fresh when I need it.”

How to Make Brown Sugar

Brown Sugar Ingredients

#10: Just Microwave It!

Cindy said: “If your brown sugar is already hard put in the microwave for a few seconds.”

Kelly said: “If brown sugar becomes hardened just microwave for a few seconds. Microwaving it is short lived, but you can do it as many times as necessary in order to use it instead of tossing it.”

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Related: Easy Microwave Cleaning Hacks!

So how easy is that?!?  No more worries about rock hard sugar! 😉

Now, go put your Brown Sugar to use with these delicious recipes…

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This dreamy butter slathered on rolls is such a game-changer!  Seriously… you NEED this in your life!

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Are you ready to take your Saturday morning baking to the next level?  You’ve got to try this!!

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One of the best ways to eat healthier is by using Healthy Baking Substitutions for Oil!

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So are you wondering how to make buttermilk?  You’ll love using this EASY homemade Buttermilk Substitute in baking and cooking!

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Would you like cookies ready-to-bake any time the craving hits?  Learn how to Freeze Cake Mix Cookies with this easy tip!

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How To Keep Homemade Cookies Fresh Longer

Just like keeping your brown sugar fresh is so important, here are some tricks to keep your cookies fresh, too!

How to Avoid Ice Cream Freezer Burn

Save your beloved ice cream with this easy trick for how to avoid Ice Cream Freezer Burn!

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How to Soften Honey That Has Hardened

There’s no need to toss hardened honey once you know How to Soften Honey. Trust me… it’s so much easier than you think!

Easy Chocolate Frosting Recipe with Cocoa Powder

After you try this luscious homemade chocolate frosting, you’ll never go back to store bought frosting again!

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Would you like an easy way to save BIG at the grocery store?  Make your own seasoning blends at home!  Get started with these simple DIY seasoning mix recipes!

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Take your kitchen skills to the next level with these easy Bake From Scratch Recipes!

Clever Kitchen and Grocery Tips:

101 Genius Kitchen Tips and Tricks

Would you like to save more time and effort in the kitchen?  You’re going to love these easy shortcuts and time-cutting hacks!

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Want to know how to cut your grocery bill in half?  Keep more cash in your wallet with these easy money saving tricks!

So don’t miss out!  Follow along for more fun with The Frugal Girls here…

Frugal Girls Email Updates

The Frugal Girls on Pinterest | TheFrugalGirls.com

So have you tried any of these tricks yet for How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft?

Or do you have another fun kitchen tip or trick??

Leave a comment & share!

How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft Simple Tips
How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft - Tips from TheFrugalGirls.com

Filed Under: Dessert Recipes, DIY, Kitchen Tips

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Comments

  1. Christie says

    December 21, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    You really have the best hacks for EVERYTHING GIRL!!!! I always can’t seem to get my sugar to stay soft so thank you for this blog post!

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      December 21, 2020 at 5:03 pm

      Aww… you’re so sweet, Christie ~ thank you!! ❤ So glad you found these tips helpful!

      Reply
  2. Danielle says

    December 21, 2020 at 12:03 pm

    These are great tips! The struggle is real!!! I’ve tried the bread one, but not the rest!

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      December 21, 2020 at 5:04 pm

      It’s crazy how fast sugar can turn hard, but I just love all of these tricks. Right now I have a terra cotta disc sitting in my brown sugar, and the sugar is just SO soft!

      Reply
  3. Janna says

    January 5, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    Today, I just took the “brick” and put it in a large bowl. I took a couple of paper towels and dampened them (don’t squeeze dry or allow them to be sopping wet) and placed them flat on top of the brown sugar and put plastic wrap tightly on top of the bowl. In a few hours the brown sugar was starting to soften up nicely. I’ll leave it overnight to complete the job.
    What I plan to do is get a good sealing canister with clamps at the thrift store as well as a terracotta disc to store it from now on.

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      January 14, 2020 at 7:58 pm

      That’s a great tip, Janna… thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
  4. Rebecca Dillon says

    December 10, 2019 at 6:19 am

    Brilliant hacks! I’d not heard of using a Terra Cotta Disc before, but that is super cute!

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      December 10, 2019 at 11:53 am

      Isn’t it so cute? I have one sitting in my brown sugar right now! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Valerie says

    July 24, 2016 at 11:57 am

    My mother-in-law told me many years ago to put your brown sugar in a zipper bag and refrigerate and it works it may be a little stiff because it is cold. Fresh as the day you bought it.

    Reply
  6. Brittany says

    January 20, 2015 at 10:58 am

    I’ve used marshmallows, too! Works very well!

    Reply
  7. Marty Dean says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:52 am

    Grandmother’s advise: When you want to thicken sauces for soups,stews,potatoes, etc….don’t use flour. Just stir corn starch into melted butter, then add to the pot and stir well. It will never clump like flour. I have used it for years.Corn starch also aids gluten free issues. Use corn starch to fry your chicken.

    Reply
  8. Barbara Lundin says

    October 10, 2014 at 10:49 am

    They make clay animals that you soak until wet and then lay them in a plastic bag WITH the Brown sugar bag.. if the clay starts to dry, so does the Brown sugar, but a Little more moisture will make both the animal AND the sugar happy.. again and again*G* (well, if it lasts that long!!)

    Reply
  9. Shari F says

    March 20, 2014 at 11:24 am

    I placed a damp terracotta piece in the bottom of a large glass jar with a bag of soft brown sugar. After many months, I opened the jar to use the sugar, and although it was soft, it smelled strongly of yeast. I had to throw it away. What happened?

    Reply
    • Vince says

      November 17, 2020 at 10:34 pm

      Sounds like wild yeast spores that is around your kitchen from a lot of potential sources got in and thrived. I always microwave my piece of terra cotta to sterilize it. And use filtered water instead of tap water to soak terra cotta in. Seems to work. But – months it a long time to not know what’s going on if you don’t use it. Try to check it at least every month or so.

      Reply
  10. M FILLINGHAM says

    December 14, 2013 at 9:47 am

    I use a terra cotta disk, bought at craft fair years ago. Soak in water for 10 minutes, push into centre of sugar. Keeps soft for months.

    Reply
  11. Audrey says

    May 13, 2013 at 7:44 pm

    I received some OXO Good Grips POP Storage containers for a wedding gift in 2011, and used one of them for brown sugar. I’ve never had brown sugar stay soft so long without the help of a slice of bread or my terra cotta brown sugar disk (not even sure where that is now). In my book, that’s a seriously awesomely air-tight product.

    Reply
  12. Sherl says

    January 21, 2013 at 7:51 am

    Celery stalks will keep about a month if wrapped in aluminum foil. I used to throw out at least half of what I bought before I learned this trick.

    Reply
  13. Virna Lassiter says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    My mother taught me that a marshmallow on the top of your brown sugar will do the trick. It works!

    Reply
    • Danyelle says

      December 11, 2013 at 5:49 pm

      Yes I heard this too!

      Reply
  14. April says

    May 15, 2012 at 11:17 am

    …a slice of apple left in the brown sugar…

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      January 6, 2014 at 2:13 pm

      I’ve used the apple and later found it moldy and had to toss it all out.

      Reply

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Hey there... it's so nice to meet you! I'm Heidi: a Frugal Girl living in sunny Arizona! I love sharing Easy Recipes, DIY Decor, Style & Beauty Hacks, Gardening Tips, Travel Hacks, and Creative Ways to Live the Sweet Life on a Budget. I'm so glad you're here!
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