If you're like most people, you've probably reached in the cabinet and found your rarely used brown sugar in one big block. Not to worry, you don't have to throw it away. Here are a few ways to loosen brown sugar so you can still use it in your recipes.
Instructions
1. Prevent brown sugar from hardening in the first place. Place an apple into a sealed bag or container with the brown sugar. Leave the apple for a few days, and then change it out for a new one. This also works after the sugar has hardened, although sliced apple works better in this case and you need to leave the slices in for a few hours to overnight.
2. Grate brown sugar with a hand grater, preferably one which makes small granules. This works well if you only need a small amount of brown sugar for your recipe.
3. Place brown sugar into a covered microwave-safe container. Measure out 1 cup at a time so you do not melt the sugar. Place it in the microwave, cover and heat for about 30 seconds.
4. Repeat 1 cup at a time until all of the sugar you need has been softened. When you need less than a full cup, follow Step 3 with no less than half a cup for 15 to 20 seconds until softened.
Tags: brown sugar, brown sugar, less than
