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!
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…
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How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft
#1: Use a Slice of 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
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
Lisa said: “Make sure to seal your sugar super, super tight with no air, and it stays moist.”
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#6: Add a Cracker
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
#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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So how easy is that?!? No more worries about rock hard sugar! 😉
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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!
Christie says
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!
Heidi says
Aww… you’re so sweet, Christie ~ thank you!! ❤ So glad you found these tips helpful!
Danielle says
These are great tips! The struggle is real!!! I’ve tried the bread one, but not the rest!
Heidi says
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!
Janna says
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.
Heidi says
That’s a great tip, Janna… thanks so much for sharing!
Rebecca Dillon says
Brilliant hacks! I’d not heard of using a Terra Cotta Disc before, but that is super cute!
Heidi says
Isn’t it so cute? I have one sitting in my brown sugar right now! 🙂
Valerie says
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.
Brittany says
I’ve used marshmallows, too! Works very well!
Marty Dean says
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.
Barbara Lundin says
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!!)
Shari F says
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?
Vince says
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.
M FILLINGHAM says
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.
Audrey says
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.
Sherl says
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.
Virna Lassiter says
My mother taught me that a marshmallow on the top of your brown sugar will do the trick. It works!
Danyelle says
Yes I heard this too!
April says
…a slice of apple left in the brown sugar…
Nancy says
I’ve used the apple and later found it moldy and had to toss it all out.