Sugar Substitution: Brown vs. White and Volume vs. Weight

Volume vs. Weight

Sugar density varies wildly. A cup of packed brown sugar weighs significantly more than a cup of granulated white sugar.

• 1 cup White Sugar: ~200g
• 1 cup Packed Brown Sugar: ~213g
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar: ~120g

Can I Swap Them?

• Brown for White: Adds moisture and a caramel flavor.
• White for Brown: Makes cookies crispier but less chewy.
• Honey/Maple for Sugar: Use 3/4 cup liquid for every 1 cup sugar and reduce other liquids.

Key Takeaways

• Always use a scale for the best results
• "Packed" means pressed firmly into the measuring cup
• Sift powdered sugar to remove lumps