As I was going through our food stuff, trying to pack everything in tighter, so we have more space for storage, I found numerous containers of brown sugar, and decided I would test some to see if it was still good. Put some on my dinner, and it was just fine. Problem is that the brown sugar was rock hard and difficult to get out of the container! How can you make the brown sugar soft again ....
Just a thought from memory of reading historic accounts. White granulated sugar as we know it, years ago was was shipped as a solid cone. People would use a knife to shave off slivers of sugar and use it then much like we do today. So with that idea floating around my brain with a ton of other useless data, I would say, "why not break off manageable pieces of this hard mass of brown sugar you have, and run it in a food processor"? I wouldn't do more than a 1lb box at a time, or even half that and then put it into a small plastic storage container for immediate and short term useage. I wouldn't try to process all you have. Why bother? It stores fine as is, and can be shaved or processed as needed. JMHO. . Have I actually done it this way? Nope! But, It certainly seems to me that it would work just fine.....
Add a couple slices of apple to the brown sugar and put in an airtight container for a day to two. The moisture from the apple will be drawn out to moisturize the sugar. Some people will add a few drops of water to an airtight bag of hardened sugar. Should soften in a few days. For a quick fix, put block of hard brown sugar in a microwave safe plate/bowl. Also put a damp paper towel in the microwave with the sugar. micro on very low to reintroduce moisture to the sugar.
Put the brown sugar an an airtight container and add a piece or two of bread. It's worked for me before. I'm sure RH's suggestions will work as well.
White sugar hardens as well and end up as a solid block. The molasses in brown sugar introduces more moisture so it will harden faster when exposed to air. The bread works just as well as the apple to rehydrate.
Where DOES one find a.......... Where DOES one find a damp paper town????? Another option is a mortar and pestle.....
Oh.....fair enough Oh....fair enough.....it was a cheap tongue in cheek shot....but I figured you'd be a good sport about it.
Tips for softening brown sugar: Brown sugar becomes hard when moisture in the sugar evaporates. Therefore, the various methods used for softening brown sugar are intended to return moisture to the sugar. To soften hard brown sugar, place an open bag of sugar in the microwave with a cup of water next to it. Microwave on high (100%) for 2-3 minutes. If your microwave doesn't have a carousel, turn the bag after each minute. NOTE: This works great, but isn't a permanent fix. Any unused sugar will dry up again. However, the process can be repeated each time you need sugar. Place about 1/2 lb. of hardened brown sugar in microwave safe bowl. Cover sugar with two pieces of wet paper towels. Tightly cover bowl with plastic wrap. Heat in microwave at HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Divide sugar with fork (sugar will be hot); stir. Use immediately. NOTE: Microwave ovens vary in power; cooking time may need adjustment. Place a piece of foil or plastic wrap directly on the sugar. Set a piece of crumpled, dampened paper towel on the foil. Cover container tightly. The sugar will absorb the moisture from the paper towel and become soft. Remove the paper towel when it has dried out. Place about 1/2 pound of hardened brown sugar in a bowl. Cover sugar with two pieces of wet paper towels. Cover bowl tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Let stand overnight at room temperature. Divide sugar with fork; stir and use immediately.
Dittos on the bread solution. Many times I've just placed a slice of regular white bread into the bag with the hard brown sugar and the next day, it's just like it was when it came home from the store. I leave the bread in, just in case and it stays nice and loose. Kajun
Don't know about microwave ,but Grandmom used to take a tea pot boil the water set the brown sugar and pot under her canning pot and in about 20 mins it was soft !! Just what I remember !!
My mother and her mother before her swear by the bread method. When we buy a 1 lb bag of brown sugar it is divided up into 3 (or maybe 4) 1 pint mason jars with lids that have not been sealed in the past(old rings are obviously fine). Fill the jars leaving enough room for a 1/4 slice of whole wheat bread. Store the extra jars in lower cooler cupboards or low in the back of a pantry. We pretty much just use it for baking and hot cereal so we don't go through it very fast. Each jar generally doesn't need more than one bread swap at about 1/2 way. Months later you can still use a plastic spoon to scoop the brown sugar out. Byte
