Light Brown Sugar — Cups to Grams Conversion
One cup of light brown sugar, packed, weighs 213g.
Light 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 Light Brown Sugar
White sugar with about 3.5% molasses added back in, giving a pale caramel colour, moist texture, and gentle toffee flavour, adding chewiness and moisture that white sugar alone cannot.
Why the Weight Per Cup Varies
Brown sugar is almost always measured packed — pressed firmly into the cup — giving 213g per cup. Loosely packed, it weighs only 150–160g, which is why recipes assume "packed" unless stated otherwise.
Names in Different Countries
Known consistently as light brown sugar; UK product sometimes labelled "light soft brown sugar."
Common Recipe Uses
Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, banana bread, crumbles.
Substitutions
White sugar substitutes 1:1 but loses moisture and flavour. Make your own: 1 cup white sugar + 1 tbsp molasses, mixed thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, almost always — press firmly until it holds its shape when tipped out; that's what the 213g figure reflects.
Yes, 1:1, but you'll lose moisture and caramel depth.
Store with a slice of bread or a damp paper towel in an airtight container for a few hours.
Dark brown has roughly double the molasses, giving a stronger flavour and slightly more moisture.
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.
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