Dark Brown Sugar — Cups to Grams Conversion
One cup of dark brown sugar, packed, weighs 213g.
Dark Brown Sugar Cups to Grams Chart
| Cups | Grams |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 53g |
| ⅓ cup | 71g |
| ½ cup | 107g |
| ¾ cup | 160g |
| 1 cup | 213g |
| 1½ cups | 320g |
| 2 cups | 426g |
| 3 cups | 639g |
Source: King Arthur Baking ingredient weight chart · Measurement method: Packed (firmly)
Tablespoon & Teaspoon Weights
| Measure | Grams | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tbsp (US/UK — 15ml) | 13.3g | Standard in US, UK, Canada |
| 1 tbsp (Australian — 20ml) | 17.8g | One-third larger than US/UK |
| 1 tsp (5ml — universal) | 4.4g | Same worldwide |
About Dark Brown Sugar
Contains about 6.5% molasses — roughly double light brown sugar — for a deeper, more intense caramel/toffee flavour, ideal for gingerbread, dark fruit cake, and sticky toffee pudding.
Why the Weight Per Cup Varies
Measured packed like light brown sugar, giving the same 213g per cup — the higher molasses content affects flavour and stickiness, not the conventional packed weight.
Names in Different Countries
Consistently called dark brown sugar; UK sometimes "dark soft brown sugar." Distinct from muscovado (unrefined, even stronger flavour).
Common Recipe Uses
Gingerbread, dark fruit cake, sticky toffee pudding, treacle tart.
Substitutions
Light brown sugar substitutes 1:1 with a milder flavour. White sugar + 2 tbsp molasses per cup also works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 1:1, with a milder, less complex flavour.
No — dark brown is refined sugar with molasses added back; muscovado is unrefined cane sugar with its natural molasses retained, giving a stronger, stickier result.
Its higher molasses content (~6.5%) is more hygroscopic, attracting more moisture from the air.
213g, packed firmly.
Recommended for accurate baking
A digital kitchen scale accurate to 1g removes all measurement guesswork. Affiliate links will appear here once approved for Amazon Associates.
This section may contain affiliate links. We only recommend products directly relevant to accurate measurement.