Healthy Homemade Brown Sugar (Refined Sugar Free and Low Calorie!)
Did you know that brown sugar is even more processed than regular ole’ granulated white sugar? Yet another reason to avoid both brown sugar and white sugar. And that’s a pretty easy thing to do when this Healthy Homemade Brown Sugar is 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 calorie in 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, you can use it in any recipe to take place of brown sugar (yes, that means coookieeessss!!!). So add this to your tea, sprinkle it over your dessert-for-breakfast, and use it in your desserts!
Healthy Homemade Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- 1 cup Granulated Erythritol
- 1 tbs Molasses
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the erythritol and the molasses on top. Stir with a fork until molasses is fully mixed in.
- Store in an airtight container, as you would with regular brown sugar.
Recipe Notes
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,
i didn’t know it was that easy to make brown sugar! i feel so silly for buying it this whole time…..
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!
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!
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!
Foodbuzz seems like such a great site! I’m so glad I joined. I hope you like the erythritol version
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.
If I did my math correctly, given the $34.50 price for 3 lbs (1360g), a cup of this sugar is $4.87.
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
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
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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
Yup, xylitol should work just fine!
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!
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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?
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
How is there 110 calories if there are only 60 calories in one tbs of molasses and zsweet is calorie free??
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
Oh okie! Do you know how the body responds or stores the calories from erythritol??
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
Ah cool!! Thanks for your responses!!! I love your site!
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