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Try this sugar free brown sugar recipe that comes together in minutes! This low carb brown sugar alternative is perfect for low carb baking, THM treats, and even keto goodies.
If you’ve gone from eating your favorite, regular comfort foods to a low carb lifestyle, chances are you’ve missed brown sugar and the flavor and texture it adds to your baked goods. After all, nothing flavors chocolate chip cookies (or pecan pie or even traditional BBQ) quite like it!
Brown sugar gets its flavor from the molasses that is still a part of it. Unlike white sugar, it’s not been completely refined and that small percentage of molasses leaves a richer, smokier flavor than plain sugar. Sadly, though, it’s still sure to spike your blood sugar and add up to major carbs in a recipe.
What’s a trim healthy, low carb loving lady to do?
Is There A Brown Sugar Substitute?
The good news is that there is a sugar free brown sugar substitute available…and you can make it at home in minutes!
By using the sugar free sugar alternatives you already have on hand and some blackstrap molasses, you can have a brown sugar substitute perfect for low carb baking, THM sauces, or any other recipe you’ve been wanting to make.
How To Make Low Carb Sugar Free Brown Sugar
You’re not going to believe how simple this is, either. To make your low carb, sugar free brown sugar alternative all you do is combine your sugar free sweeteners and some blackstrap molasses.
While there are several low carb brown sugar substitutes available these days, this low carb brown sugar recipe alternative is my favorite for baking because it uses a blend of low carb sweeteners for the most authentic flavor.
All you do is combine xylitol, erythritol, and pure stevia extract together in a large bowl and mix them together well. Next, use a fork to mix in the blackstrap molasses. Make sure you mix it thoroughly so there’s no clumping and it’s a lovely golden brown color.
Voila! You’ve got yourself some deliciously sweet sugar free brown sugar to use without the carbs.
Are there carbs in this brown sugar alternative recipe?
Yes, but it’s a negligible amount. Like barely there.
1 teaspoon of blackstrap molasses has 13 grams of carbohydrates in it. However, spread over the entire recipe, that is only 1/2 carb per 2 TB serving of your sugar free brown sugar substitute.
As you can see, this is a low carb, keto friendly option that will give you brown sugar flavor and texture without the high glycemic impact of traditional store-bought brown sugar.
There are only .15 grams of sugar per serving as well, so it is still a great option!
What are the best ingredients for low carb brown sugar?
As stated, to make this low carb sugar free brown sugar recipe at home, you need xylitol, erythritol, stevia, and blackstrap molasses. However, there are lots of options for those ingredients and some are better than others.
The best prices on both xylitol and erythritol can be found on Amazon. (See the recipe card below for links to the products I use.) They have a great flavor and a fabulous price point, so going with them is a win/win.
When it comes to pure stevia extract, the choices may seem overwhelming…but not all choices are created equal.
The best flavor I’ve found yet is the Trim Healthy Mama pure stevia extract powder. It has zero aftertaste. None. While there are other options, this is the one I strongly recommend because it gives the best flavor.
Using Your Brown Sugar Alternative In Recipes
You can make this up as needed, or make a batch in advance and keep it in a mason jar in your cabinet. It’s so easy to make up that there’s no need to make up a ton and have it at the ready, but it’s nice to have on hand for a quick recipe if you need it.
It’s also delicious stirred into a cup of coffee as an occasional treat (you’re welcome!).
But my all time favorite way to use this sugar free brown sugar? Chocolate Chip Cookies. The brown sugar substitute gives such a great flavor and texture to them that traditional sugar substitutes fall short of.
And pssst…in case you didn’t realize it, you can use this in place of Sukrin Gold, Lakanto Golden, or other store-bought brown sugar recipe alternatives, too!
Converting Regular Recipes To Low Carb With Brown Sugar
If you have a regular recipe and you just want to switch out the regular brown sugar for your homemade sugar free brown sugar, you’re not going to do it equally. I repeat, do not just swap them out, cup for cup.
It’s best to start with just a little more than half of what the recipe calls for, taste test it, and tweak from there. This homemade brown sugar alternative is a bit sweeter and you may not need as much.
Recipes With Brown Sugar Alternative
Now that you have a low carb brown sugar on hand, you’re probably eager to get using it! Here are some fabulous recipes to try:
- Low Carb Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Sugar Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Creamy Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal (oh my word, this brown sugar is awesome on oatmeal if you’re a THM!)
- Coconut Flour Porridge
- Homemade BBQ Sauce
- THM Baked Beans
- Chipotle Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Sugar Free Brown Sugar
Try this sugar free brown sugar recipe that comes together in minutes! This low carb brown sugar alternative is perfect for low carb baking, THM treats, and even keto goodies.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix Xylitol, Erythritol, and Stevia together in a large bowl.
- Add Molasses and stir well, using a fork to blend the molasses into the granulated sweetener until there are no lumps. (This should turn the granulated sweetener a lovely golden brown color.)
Notes
There are 13 carbs in the 1 teaspoon of Blackstrap Molasses. Spread out over the entire recipe, that adds only 0.5 gram of carbs to each serving (2 Tablespoons). This is a very negligible amount.
I do realize that technically this recipe is not completely "sugar free." The 1 teaspoon of unusulphered blackstrap molasses adds 0.15 grams of sugar per 2 Tablespoons.
PLEASE NOTE: Xylitol is extremely dangerous to dogs, so please use caution.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
24Serving Size
2 TablespoonsAmount Per Serving Calories 23Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 0mgCarbohydrates 16 - 16 grams of sugar alcohols = 0 net carbsgFiber 0gSugar 0.15gProtein 0g
I can’t use xylitol.It just tears up my stomach! Could I use Pyure, or THM gentle sweet instead?
I think you could use straight erythritol (3 cups).
Hi Sarah et al – As you probably know, xylitol and its metabolites are cleared from the body through the intestines while erythritol is primarily cleared through the kidneys. That’s why some folks have problems with xylitol and turn to erythritol, even though it’s quite a bit less sweet. I’m wondering if you added stevia to this recipe to compensate for the erythritol’s relative lack of sweetness…or is there some other reason? As a long-time user of xylitol, I no longer have digestive problems with it, so I would be inclined to just add the molasses to straight xylitol. Any comments? Thanks again.
I just like the balanced sweetness of the three together – but you can certainly use all xylitol if you wish.
Thank you so much Sarah, I gave up oatmeal because the only way I like it is with brown sugar. And now I don’t have to, all I need is the molasses. Ya.
Just a friendly FYI, Walmart. com has some good buys on Birch Xylitol. Although the price has gone up since my last order. I buy 10 lbs of Health Garden Birch Xylitol, it last quite a while.
Thanks for all your hard work and keep the great recipes coming, it’s greatly appreciated.
Thank you for the tip, Mary Ann! I hope you will enjoy it on your oatmeal! I sure have been!
Can I use sorghum instead 9f molasses? That’s what I have on hand.
Yes!
Thanks Sarah! I just made it! I MISS brown sugar so thank you for the recipe! (A tip…I used a wooden mini-tart shaper from Pampered Chef to get the molasses to blend in easier. It worked great!) Thank you again for ALL your recipes you share!
My last batch turned into a puddle in the bottom of the mason jar and hardened there! I only use it maybe once a year.
I keep mine in a sealed Ziplock bag and it has lasted for quite some time. I use it several times a week for oatmeal, and I also use it for cookies and baking.
What would the measurements if I used the Gentle Sweet only?
Unfortunately, Gentle Sweet will not work in this recipe since it is powdered. You need a granulated sweetener. You could use 1 cup of Super Sweet, and just add 1/4 teaspoon of molasses. 🙂
I make my own Gentle Sweet so before I blend it, it’s still granular. Could I use that?
Yes, absolutely!
I think I messed up! I accidentally ordered confectioner’s erithritol. Now that I’m reading the comments, I think that’s why mine isn’t blending so well!
I discovered this recipe of yours a few years ago snd always have some in my pantry, esoecially during cold weather months; I really like it in my oatmeal!
Thank you!
Hi Pat, this is a brand new recipe on my site, so perhaps you are thinking of a different recipe? Regardless, I am so glad that you enjoy it. It is AMAZING on oatmeal!
Sarah could you use Swerve sweetener?
Yes, if you use the granulated kind. The powdered variety would not work. Also, you would need to make some adjustments with the amounts. I would start with 1 Cup granulated Swerve to 1/4 teaspoon of blackstrap molasses.
This is great! I usually buy low carb brown sugar but now I can easily make my own!
I had never even thought of making my own brown sugar substitute so this really is a brilliant recipe for me and I love the fact that it is a healthier alternative to traditional sugar.
I used this recipe to make sugar for my morning porridge, it works perfectly to sweeten up the oats! Thank you for a great recipe.
It works perfectly in oatmeal! So glad you enjoyed it!
Can I use regular molasses?
Sure – blackstrap molasses have a little more “nutrition.”
My father in law is diabetic but I want to make pecan pie will he be able to eat it.
Yes, this should be suitable.
My bag of brown sukrin dried up because I didn’t close it all the way, so this will be my Plan B for a recipe that calls for a cup of brown sugar.
Although, I could just do xylitol instead of xylitol and erythritol, right? Xylitol and I get along a bit better, so I typically stick to xylitol as my granular/powdered sugar sub.
Yes, you can do that!
I use monk fruit sweetener. Would I use the combined amounts of the xylitol and erythritol for my monk fruit amount and add the same amount of molasses?
Yes, I think that would work!
I like to use granulated allulose w/the blackstrap~ just keep in mind it’s about 70% as sweet as sugar, so you may want to add additional to your blends. We’ve been low carb for so long, our tastebuds have become more sensitive. This blend is my absolute favorite for anything caramel, as well as for cookies & shortbread~ especially w/the addition of browned butter~ SO darn good!
Pretty sure molasses has 13 grams of sugar in 1 TABLESPOON, not teaspoon.
Yes, this is correct.