To prevent bugs during travel, I stored my brown sugar in the original package in the fridge for a long time. Now it’s rock-hard and unusable. I tried microwaving it with a damp cloth and breaking it up, but it’s not working well. Are there any easier ways to soften the brown sugar so I can finally use it?
For the speediest outcome, take a hardened sugar lump and put it in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat the sugar in the microwave on high for 20-second intervals, using a fork to break up any big clumps as needed.
Place a sliced apple in your sugar and the moisture from the apple will soften the sugar
To soften hardened sugar quickly, put it in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat it on high for 20-second intervals, using a fork to break apart any big chunks between heating.
To soften brown sugar fast, put it in a bowl safe for microwave use, cover with a wet paper towel, and microwave for roughly 20 seconds.
Ugh, I feel your pain! Microwaving brown sugar can be tricky. Here are a couple of easier ways to soften that rock-hard sugar:
- **Ziploc nuke:Add water to brown sugar in a ziplock bag, microwave on low power in short bursts, squishing the bag in between. Don’t melt it!
- **Terracotta trick: Soak a small, unglazed terracotta piece, then store brown sugar with it in an airtight container. The terracotta will soften the sugar gently.