What Can I Use For The Emergency Brownies If I Don't Have Light Brown Sugar? | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

Our answer

Nigella's recipe for Emergency Brownies (from AT MY TABLE) gives a scaled-down treat for 2-4 people. The recipe uses light brown sugar as this helps to keep the brownies moist and squidgy. If you don't have light brown sugar then dark brown sugar is the next best alternative.

Coconut sugar and jaggery are both unrefined sugars, but they are drier and less moist than light or dark brown sugar. If the crystals of these sugars are fairly fine and dissolve easily then you may be able to use them in the brownies. Otherwise, we would suggest using caster (superfine) sugar as an alternative to the light brown sugar. If you don't have honey or golden syrup then maple syrup, agave syrup, corn syrup or rice syrup would all be good alternatives. Molasses could be used but it has a slight bitterness that could be noticable and may not be liked by everyone. Unfortunately if you omit both the syrup and brown sugar then the brownies may not be quite as squidgy. If this is the case, make sure that you don't over bake the brownies, just bake until the top of the brownie mixture is dry around the edges and the brownies are coming away slightly from the sides of the pan.