topic Re: Brown sugar hint in Kitchen

Brown sugar hint

SharkE — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 04:29:32 GMT

I read in People magazine

To quickly soften lumpy brown sugar, place it in a microwave safe bowl

and cover tightly with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30 seconds and fluff with a fork.

Re: Brown sugar hint

froggy — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 04:49:00 GMT

@SharkE I would have thought you knew that one!

Re: Brown sugar hint

SharkE — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 04:53:52 GMT

I've just been keeping a piece of regular sandwich bread in the OXO container. LOL

don't understand why they can't figure that out when they make brown sugar. Got to be some kind of additive that would keep it from lumping up over time.

Re: Brown sugar hint

sunshine45 — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 05:06:39 GMT

i have used the microwave before to soften, but the BEST little gadget ever is a lock n lock container and a brown sugar keeper from the pampered chef. highly recommend these discs.

Re: Brown sugar hint

ID2 — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 11:12:59 GMT

I buy my baking supplies from our local Amish now. I never, ever have any problems with anything becoming stale anymore. And my baked goods are phenomenal!

Re: Brown sugar hint

millieshops — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 11:31:56 GMT

@SharkE maybe there is a chemical for that but we’re better off to solve the problem another way?

Re: Brown sugar hint

Harpa — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 12:49:43 GMT

I have one of those brown sugar keepers shaped into a little chick. Works great! You've got to keep it moist, though. I just sit it in a saucer of water for a while, then back inside my brown sugar jar.

Re: Brown sugar hint

SharkE — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:27:05 GMT

I bought one of those 'bears' from Bed & Bath never had any luck with them.

Piece of bread works pretty well. I'll try that damp paper towel trick as my next experiment (LOL) and see if that is a good tip.

Re: Brown sugar hint

Yahooey — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:43:21 GMT

I always squeeze all the air out of the plastic bag and put into airtihgt container - always soft

my gripe is why can't they make bags that can open easily for flour

it always sticks a bit and doesn't open easily and neatly for me

yes, - i do pour it into another container but not until there is flour on me

sometimes more, sometimes less but never scott free

Re: Brown sugar hint

Sunshine Kate — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:48:14 GMT

I buy brown sugar in a plastic bag and put a certain amount in a canister and the rest I freeze.

I've done this for years.

Re: Brown sugar hint

LindaSal — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:58:39 GMT

@sunshine45 That's genius!! I never saw those containers. Thank you for posting as I think I will try that. I've been doing what @SharkE stated, using a small piece of bread.

That works pretty well but I like the idea of the Pampered Chef item.

Re: Brown sugar hint

SharkE — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 15:02:16 GMT

I put a whole slice in LOL Next time you use brown sugar toss it and put in a fresh slice.

we never use even a half loaf of bread, so, at least the bread has a purpose hhahahahhha

we throw away more food then a restaurnat. Just 2 of us and when your older you don't eat as much any more.

Re: Brown sugar hint

SXMGirl — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 15:04:33 GMT

@sunshine45 I have something very similar that I got from Amazon for $6.99. Works great.

Re: Brown sugar hint

chickenbutt — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 16:11:34 GMT

I've always used the brown sugar bears with great success but now I want a little chick!

Seriously, keeping it in a L&L with the little bear keeps it for ages. Of course, you want to re-soak the bear from time to time. I don't do it that often because I don't think of it that often and it still works great. I definitely think that part of the equation is keeping it in an airtight container.

Re: Brown sugar hint

J Town Girl — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 18:55:35 GMT

I have two Tupperware containers that I bought years ago specifically for brown sugar. I keep my light in one and my dark in another. I also have two of the little bears. I try to remember to take them and soak them in a saucer of water for 30 minutes every couple of weeks.

If I do that faithfully my brown sugars stay nice and soft.

Re: Brown sugar hint

ECBG — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 20:58:17 GMT

I only use brown sugar at Christmas and New Years for candied yams.

Hard brown sugar can also be grated.

Re: Brown sugar hint

Harpa — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 22:53:48 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
I've always used the brown sugar bears with great success but now I want a little chick!

Seriously, keeping it in a L&L with the little bear keeps it for ages. Of course, you want to re-soak the bear from time to time. I don't do it that often because I don't think of it that often and it still works great. I definitely think that part of the equation is keeping it in an airtight container.

I got the chick at an historical home gift shop. But I really can't remember where. Must have been an important home like Penn's Landing or some place. I've kind of made the circuit. Somewhere where they had a gift shop.

Re: Brown sugar hint

deeva — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 04:47:21 GMT

I seal my brown sugar in a food saver bag.
Using a piece of bread works too.
And I always buy my brown sugar at Winco. I can buy very small quantities from their self serve bins. No waste.

Re: Brown sugar hint

Northern Belle 2 — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 09:12:56 GMT

I have one of those terra cotta teddy bears and it has always worked well for me. After I soak it for 15 minutes, I place it in the bag of brown sugar and by the next day the sugar is soft enough to use. It's not instantaneous, but gradually softens over time. Sometimes it has to be soaked a second time for the sugar to get completely soft, but most of the time I can start to use the sugar after soaking it just once.