Simplified Grocery Shopping: Sugar Three Ways

Simplified Grocery Shopping Series:

Sugar Three Ways

Have you ever had a craving for a particular treat or meal but couldn’t make it because you didn’t have one or two of the necessary ingredients? It can be frustrating when you are missing just one thing and grocery runs aren’t always easy. Learning to make your own pantry staples is not only cost-effective, it’s also very freeing. Specifically for me, making things from scratch has streamlined my shopping and gives me much more flexibility and control in the kitchen. My grocery list doesn’t vary all that much so shopping requires less thought and time. It gives me more control over the ingredients in our food. And, let’s not forget that those cravings can be more easily fulfilled. In this series, I will be sharing ways to make multiple kitchen staples from one base ingredient.

My learning to make brown sugar was compelled by a serious craving for chocolate chip cookies. Sometimes you just need a warm, melt-in-your-mouth cookie studded with chocolate chips and pecans. (Most everyone can relate to this, but I would venture to say that moms of little children can especially relate. I never craved chocolate like I have since I became a mother!) So there I was, in need of a pick-me-up of the chocolate variety, but without any brown sugar. A little molasses, a heap of granulated sugar, and five minutes later I was back on track to get my fix.

Powdered sugar was a similar experience, except this time I needed icing as a topping for some baked good or another. Also incredibly quick and easy.

I now only need to purchase one big bag of granulated sugar from Costco. At home I am able to leave a portion as it is, turn a portion into brown sugar, and a portion into powdered sugar.

 

Sugar Three Ways

Brown Sugar

One cups of granulated sugar + 2-3 teaspoons molasses* = brown sugar

*You can adjust the amount of molasses you use according to how light/dark you like your brown sugar.

1.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, pour in 1 cup granulated sugar.
2. Turn the mixer on low while you add the molasses.
3. Mix on medium speed until the molasses is well incorporated.
4. Scrape the molasses off the sides of the mixing bowl.
5. Mix again on medium speed until there are no more clumps of molasses and the sugar looks uniform.
6. Store in a sealed container at room temperature.

 

 

 

Powdered Sugar

To make powdered sugar, simply blend granulated sugar in a blender on high for 1-2 minutes.

Store in a sealed container at room temperature.

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What are some ways you keep your shopping simple? Please share your ideas below!