Brown Sugar

Brown sugar is a sucrose sugar product whose brown color comes from the presence of molasses, either unrefined or partially refined sugar carrying residual molasses or, more commonly today, refined white sugar with molasses added back in; it is about 98 percent carbohydrate, almost entirely sucrose, with no fiber or fat and negligible protein and micronutrients. The shade depends on the amount of molasses used, ranging from light brown at about 3.5 percent molasses to dark brown at about 6.5 percent, and because it caramelizes more readily than refined sugar it works well in glazes and gravies, while its hygroscopic quality keeps baked goods moist and chewy, a property bakers rely on for products such as chocolate chip cookies. Per 100 grams it provides about 380 calories.