How to Soften Brown Sugar

Brown sugar, with its rich, molasses-infused sweetness, is a common ingredient in many recipes. However, if you've found how to soften brown sugar has hardened into stubborn clumps, don't worry; there are easy ways to soften it:

1. Bread Slice Method: Place a slice of fresh bread into the container with the hardened brown sugar. Seal it tightly and leave it for a day or two. The moisture from the bread will soften the sugar.
2. Microwave Method: If you need to soften brown sugar quickly, place the sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Lay a damp paper towel on top and microwave it in short 10-15 second bursts, checking and stirring in between until it softens. Be cautious not to overheat and melt the sugar.
3. Terracotta Bear or Clay Disk: You can purchase clay discs or bear-shaped figures made to be soaked in water, dried, and then placed in your sugar container. They release moisture to prevent hardening.
4. Orange or Apple Peel: Adding a small piece of fresh orange or apple peel to your brown sugar and sealing it in an airtight container can help soften the sugar naturally.
5. Brown Sugar Saver: There are commercially available brown sugar savers, which are small, food-safe terra cotta pieces designed to prevent sugar clumping. Soak them in water, pat them dry, and place them in your sugar container.

Regularly storing your brown sugar in an airtight container can help prevent it from hardening in the first place. If your brown sugar remains stubbornly hard, these methods should help restore it to a usable, soft texture, so you can continue to enjoy its wonderful sweetness in your recipes.