An alternative to white sugar is brown sugar. This sugar is much healthier since it’s partially unrefined. It gets its brown color due to the presence of molasses.
Most people will buy brown sugar that comes in a package. This will leave you with plenty of leftovers since you won’t probably use them all in at once. For that reason, you will need to store them. Would freezing brown sugar be an option?
Can you freeze brown sugar? Yes, you can freeze brown sugar. You’ll want to make sure it’s kept in a container that’s well-sealed and kept in a freezer with a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Properly stored, you can keep brown sugar in the freezer for up to 18 months.
Does Brown Sugar Freeze Well?
Brown sugar freezes extremely well if it’s properly stored.
The biggest factor when storing brown sugar in the freezer is air. If the storage container has a leak, even a small one, air will leak in and cause the sugar to go bad. The sugar will clump up into rock hard chunks.
When freezing brown sugar, ensure that the storage container you use is sealed tight. If so, the sugar can last indefinitely in the freezer.
How To Freeze Brown Sugar
When it comes to freezing brown sugar, it’s pretty much straightforward and doesn’t take a lot of time.
While it’s not hard to freeze brown sugar, it will need to be done carefully. It’s important that it’s stored properly to avoid any moisture or air leaking into the container. If it does, the brown sugar will no longer be of good quality.
Below are the steps to freezing brown sugar:
Step 1: Using The Proper Container
For brown sugar, you’ll need a container that’s freezer-safe. I recommend you use either an airtight container, airtight mason glass jar, or freezer bag.
It’s best to use a small container or jar. The bigger the containers, the higher the risk that it will have air that is trapped, which will ruin the sugar. If you’re using a freezer bag, it can be any size since you can squeeze the air out of it before sealing it.
Also, check the seal on the lid for any damages. There should not be any cuts, tears, or deterioration. If any of these are noticed, replace the seal. Just a small leak can damage the sugar.
Step 2: Transfer To Container
Avoid using the original package that the brown sugar came in. The material isn’t designed to withstand the freezing temperature. If you try to freeze in their original package, it will crack when it’s frozen.
Pour the brown sugar into the container of your choice. For mason jar and airtight container, secure the lid to the container tightly. For extra protection, especially if you’re going to store brown sugar longer than a year, wrap a layer of cling film over the opening before placing the lid on it.
For freezer bags, once the sugar is in the bag, gently squeeze the bag to remove any excess air and seal it tightly.
Step 3: Label and Freeze
With a marker, write the content and date of freezing on the freezer bag or container. It’s important you have the date so you’ll know how much time you have left.
Then place the brown sugar into the freezer for storage.
How Long Can You Freeze Brown Sugar?
Brown sugar can be frozen for up to 18 months. However, it can last indefinitely in the freezer if it’s kept at a constant temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and there is little change in temperature.
Since you’ll be storing the brown sugar with other food, the freezer will be opened and closed often. This will cause the temperature in the freezer to fluctuate. Therefore, for best quality, try to use brown sugar within 18 months.
How Do You Defrost Brown Sugar?
When it comes to defrosting brown sugar, it isn’t necessary. All you need to do is remove the sugar from the freezer and place it directly into your recipes.
Avoid trying to defrost them in the fridge. Doing so will cause condensation, which will cause the sugar to clump together.
Another option to thaw brown sugar is to leave them on the counter. Allow it to thaw for 2-3 hours. If you notice ice crystals are starting to form, stir it intermittently, so the moisture is removed and doesn’t ruin the sugar.
Can You Refreeze Brown Sugar?
It will depend on how much time it’s been out of the freezer. If you’ve just taken the sugar out of the freezer, and it hasn’t been more than 5 minutes, you can place it back into the freezer. There will be no change in texture.
On the other hand, if the brown sugar is thawed for more than 5 minutes, I would not recommend refreezing it. Doing so will cause the sugar to become moist and clump together. This will eventually cause the brown sugar to lose its flavors.
Other Questions about Brown Sugar
Why brown sugar becomes hard?
Brown sugar has moisture in them, even though it seems dry. When the moisture evaporates from the sugar, it causes the sugar to become rock solid. This is the reason why you should avoid refrigerating brown sugar.
To prevent brown sugar from becoming hard, it’s important to keep them sealed tightly in an airtight container. As long as air doesn’t get to the sugar, it won’t become hard.