Dark Brown Sugar

Dark brown sugar is a type of sucrose sugar product with a distinctive dark color and rich flavor. It is made by either adding molasses back to refined white sugar or by not removing all the molasses during the refining process of sugarcane. The higher molasses content gives it a moist texture and deeper caramel notes compared to light brown sugar.

Manufacturers add dark brown sugar primarily as a sweetener and for its unique flavor profile. It also helps retain moisture in baked goods and contributes to browning. It is commonly found in a variety of products, including baked goods, sauces, glazes, marinades, and some beverages.

Dark brown sugar is a source of added sugars in the diet. The FDA considers sugar a common food ingredient, generally recognized as safe. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no specific amount of added sugars, advising that intake should be limited to at most 10 grams per meal. JECFA (the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has evaluated sugars as food ingredients but does not set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for them in the same way as food additives. Excessive intake of added sugars is associated with various health concerns, but dark brown sugar itself is not considered uniquely harmful compared to other forms of sugar.