How to Make Brown Sugar Soft Fast

Brown sugar can be used to make cookies, cakes and pies, and can even be found in main courses. Unfortunately, brown sugar can harden over time, making it difficult to measure for recipes. For future reference, store brown sugar in an airtight container with a clay disc. This will keep the sugar soft for months. A clay disc--also known as a brown sugar softener--can be purchased at department and cooking stores nationwide. To use it, you just soak it in water for 20 minutes, pat it dry with a towel, and place it inside the bag or container with the brown sugar. But if you are stuck with only hard brown sugar on hand, there are a few tricks that will soften it fast.

Things You'll Need

Microwave-safe bowl
Microwave
Spoon
Oven
Baking dish

Bowl
Aluminum foil or plastic wrap
Damp paper towels
Airtight container

Microwave Method

Fill a microwave safe bowl with 1 cup of water.
Put the bowl inside the microwave.
Set the open bag of brown sugar beside the bowl in the microwave.
Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring the brown sugar with a spoon every 30 seconds. When the sugar has softened, remove it from the microwave.

Oven Method

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pour the brown sugar into an oven-proof baking dish.
Put the dish into the oven.
Stir the brown sugar every 5 minutes. When it's soft, remove it from the oven.

Overnight Method

Put the brown sugar in a bowl.
Cover the brown sugar with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Place a damp--not soggy--paper towel on top of the foil or plastic wrap.
Put the covered brown sugar and paper towel into an airtight container and seal.
Allow it to sit overnight.

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