WHAT IS BROWN SUGAR REPLACEMENT?
Brown sugar replacements are sweeteners designed to mimic the taste, aroma, and texture of traditional brown sugar. They have that soft, moist feel—similar to light brown sugar, which contains less molasses than its dark counterpart. [If you want to dive deeper into all the different types of traditional brown sugar, check out my popular blog post: Complete Guide to Brown Sugars.]
Brown sugar replacements fall into two distinct categories you need to know so you can choose the right one for your needs:
-
Zero-calories & Sugar-free
Made entirely from sugar-free sweeteners, these substitutes work as a 1:1 replacements for brown sugar, meaning you can swap them cup for cup in any recipe.
-
Reduced-calories & Less-sugar
A blend of regular sugar with other sweeteners, these alternatives aren’t calorie-free. They are 2:1 replacements for brown sugar, so half a cup replaces one cup of brown sugar.
Where can I use brown sugar replacements?
A brown sugar replacement won't produce the exact same result in your recipes as the regular one, but it comes close. They have a moist, sticky texture. Cookies will turn out chewier, but less crisp, whenever you remove a dryer sweetener and substitute it with brown sugar replacements. Cakes will be moist.
Beyond baking, brown sugar replacements work just like the real thing—sprinkle over cereals, fruits, waffles, French toast, or pancakes. For an extra flavor boost, try mixing it with cinnamon before sprinkling.
When shopping, it can be confusing, so check the label carefully as there is a product labeled as golden monk fruit that looks like a brown sugar replacement. However, it has coarse, dry, free-flowing crystals that resemble demerara or raw sugar.
These raw sugar replacements stand out with attractive sparkly crystals, and because they're coarse they tend to hold their shape when heated, so you can use them as a finishing sugar to add a crunchy topping to cookies and muffins.
PICK YOUR BROWN SUGAR REPLACEMENT
Brands and Products
There is A LOT to explore here. Scroll down to see it all, or if you're short on time, jump straight to what you need by clicking a category below:
Click the TRY IT button of each sweetener to be linked to Amazon
where you can read reviews, labels, Q&As, and prices.
Affiliate links help keep this content free (Full disclosure)
ZERO-CALORIES & SUGAR-FREE
Here, you'll find 1:1 brown sugar replacements and raw sugar substitutes. They offer zero calories, zero sugar, zero net carbs, and a zero glycemic index—meaning they won’t impact blood sugar levels.
I'm often asked, What's the best keto brown sugar substitute? If you’re following a low-carb or keto diet, these brown sugar alternatives are your best options.
If you're tracking your carb intake, and look at the "total carbohydrates" on the nutrition facts label of these sweeteners, you'll see that it's not zero. However, because these carbs are not digested or converted into glucose, the sweetener has zero net carbs. In other words, they won’t impact your carb count.
What are net carbs? Net carbs are the carbohydrates your body can digest and use for energy—those that break down into glucose and raise blood sugar levels. So, it's a great choice for low-carb and keto diets.
How do I use brown sugar replacements in everyday recipes?
Brown sugar replacements replicate the aroma, sweetness, and texture of regular brown sugar.
They have a tiny amount of glycerin, molasses, or malt extract to help give the overall resemblance to regular brown sugars — that sticky look —providing moisture and allowing them to pack.
You can measure them like brown sugar on a one-to-one ratio—by volume, not weight—offering the convenience of a direct swap. If a recipe calls for a cup of brown sugar, you simply use a cup of these sweeteners. Used to one teaspoon of brown sugar over your oatmeal? Swap it for one teaspoon of a brown sugar replacement.
Raw Sugar Replacement
The sweeteners below are designed to replace raw sugar, not regular brown sugar. It has coarse, dry, free-flowing crystals that resemble demerara sugar. In contrast, the brown sugar replacements listed above contain glycerin or a touch of molasses to create a sticky texture and overall look similar to regular brown sugar. They're labeled as golden monk fruit and contain erythritol blended with monk fruit extract.
REDUCED-CALORIES & LESS-SUGAR
The sweeteners below aren't sugar-free or calorie-free — they're known as Sugar Blends. If you’re looking for a balance between reducing sugar and keeping some of its benefits, these blends offer a great option. (I also have a Buying Guide for them — check it out HERE.)
What are Brown Sugar Blends?
Brown Sugar Blends let you cut sugar and calories while still getting the familiar taste, texture, and browning properties of regular brown sugar. Depending on the brand, they contain 50–75% fewer calories than traditional brown sugar.
If you want to lighten up your recipes without going fully sugar-free, these blends come in handy. Their general formula includes:
-
regular sugar (for taste, texture, and browning properties)
-
a high-intensity sweetener (stevia, monk fruit or sucralose)
-
molasses or glycerin (to maintain texture and stickiness)
How to Use Brown Sugar Blends
These sweeteners are twice as sweet as regular brown sugar, meaning you’ll need to cut the amount in half when substituting. Check out the conversion chart below:
Too Many Choices? Let Me Help.
Ready to Skip the Sweetener Guesswork?
You don't have to go through trial and error with different sweeteners, wasting time, pricey ingredients, and not to mention ruined recipes.
That's why I created the Sugar Swap Starter Kit — your shortcut to choosing and using sugar alternatives with confidence. It is designed for home cooks who want to understand how different options stack up, find the best ones, and get practical tips to use them. This kit offers a quick way to get all your questions answered — all in one easy-to-follow resource!
WhatSugar is reader-supported.
When you buy through Amazon links, this site may earn an affiliate commission.
A one-woman business relying on Amazon affiliate commission to avoid ads.
The list above is not intended to endorse, advertise or recommend products.
We present this listing simply as a service to our readers.
