If you’re looking for substitutes for demerara sugar, we’ve got you covered. We list down every substitute you can use instead of demerara sugar in our article today.
Looking for something to use instead of demerara sugar? You’re in the right place. Today, we’re covering some of the best substitutes for demerara sugar – from muscovado to regular brown sugar. Let’s dive in!
What is Demerara Sugar?
Demerara sugar is under brown sugar. It’s made from sugar cane, and is characterized by its coarse grain and crunchy texture. As a large-grain sugar, demerara sugar is best for adding the crunch you need for baked goods! It’s also used as a topping and sweetener for beverages.
It has a rich flavor profile, with a caramel or toffee flavor. It also originates from the British colony of Demerara, which is now known as Guyana. If you need to know more about this sugar, we have some information right here for you.
However, you may be needing a demerara sugar substitute. Luckily, we have a list for you!
Substitutes for Demerara Sugar
01 Raw Sugar or Turbinado Sugar
Turbinado sugar is partially granulated sugar that is coarse in texture. It’s actually quite close to demerara sugar’s crunchy texture, so this sugar is a pretty good subtitute!
It retains some natural molasses, so the flavor profile is also caramel-like with a subtle molasses flavor. If you’re looking for turbinado sugar, you might know it as raw sugar! However, don’t be fooled – true raw sugars isn’t quite healthy for consumption, so turbinado sugar has to undergo some more processing.
This demerara sugar substitute is great for toppings, mixing in with pastries, and as a sweetener for coffee and tea.
02 Light Brown Sugar
This type of brown sugar has a lower amount of molasses content. Light brown sugar has a golden brown color with a milder taste.
Light brown sugar an all-around substitute for many recipes, and it usually results in moist, delicious pastries. Light brown sugar is also great as a crunchy topping! All in all, if you’re looking for a quick substitute for demerara sugar, light brown sugar is the way to go.
03 White Sugar or Granulated Sugar
Made from refined sugar cane or sugar beets, this popular white sugar is the one you usually find in grocery stores. If you’re curious, granulated sugar is also known as table sugar or refined white sugar! Granulated sugar is typically used as a sweetener for baked goods, savory dishes, and different beverages.
White sugar typically comes in four types: granulated sugar, caster sugar, powdered sugar, and sugar cubes. These are all good demerara sugar substitutes!
Granulated sugar doesn’t have the molasses flavor we know and love. In fact, all the molasses has been processed out of granulated sugar. Granulated sugar or white sugar is great for drinks and sprinkling into food.
Caster sugar is a more refined sugar with smaller crystal sizes. Like granulated sugar or white sugar, caster sugar best for sweetening cold drinks and incorporating sweetness into desserts like meringues.
Powdered sugar, or confectioner’s sugar, is a specialty sugar typically used in baking. Unlike regular sugar or white sugar, it’s ground to a powder and mixed with cornstarch to prevent caking!
Sugar cubes, meanwhile, is just white sugar pressed into cubes, used to sweeten hot drinks.
04 Sanding Sugar or Sand Sugar
Sanding sugar is a type of large-grain sugar and is similar to decorating sugar. It’s used as a sweetener and topping for most baked goods! Sanding sugar is also typically made from dried sugar syrup or turbinado sugar. You can combine gel food coloring and turbinado sugar before going through the refining process to make sand sugar.
After, you can put it in an airtight container. Like all demerara sugar substitutes, you should store it properly in a cool, dry place!
05 Muscovado Sugar
Muscovado sugar is a type of unrefined sugar that retains all the molasses possible! It’s minimally processed, has large crystals and typically comes in a golden brown color that is slightly darker than most sugars. Like demerara sugar, the sugar crystals are large-grain and it also has a toffee-like flavor.
While it has the same nutritional content as white sugar, this natural sweetener comes with more minerals, like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and iron. It also comes with antioxidants!
It has more health benefits, but don’t be fooled – it’s still sugar, and sugar intake is best taken in moderation.
06 Raw Cane Sugar
If you’re looking for the most natural, unrefined sugar there is, you can look for raw cane sugar. It comes in a variety colors, which can be dark brown or colorless. It’s sweet, with a subtle molasses flavor. The milder flavor from molasses is great as a sweetener for most beverages!
Demerara sugar is under raw cane sugar, but there are other sugars in this type that can be used as a demerara sugar substitute. Turbinado and evaporated cane sugar are part of it!
07 Dark Brown Sugar
This type of sugar comes in a darker golden brown color! Dark brown sugar has a rich flavor and nearly double the amount of molasses in comparison to other sugars. Dark brown sugar also has the toffee flavor we all know and love about demerara sugar, making it a good substitute.
08 Maple Sugar
Maple sugar is commonly found in Canada, but you can also make it yourself at home! It’s. form of natural sweetener that is made from maple syrup. You can add maple syrup to a saucepan over medium-high heat until it reaches 260 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches the desired temperature, you can remove the pan from the heat.
Stir until the maple syrup transforms into sugar crystals. It will have a delicate texture. You can use a food processor to get the clumps to form crystals and turn it into a more granulated sugar.
09 Coconut Sugar or Coconut Palm Sugar
Looking for vegan sugar? Coconut sugar may be the one for you! It comes from the sap of a coconut palm tree, not the coconuts themselves. Aside from being plant-based, it’s also minimally processed, and has a lot of health benefits!
Coconut sugar can help prevent low blood sugar, hypoglycemia, and blood sugar spikes. It has a coconut flavor that you’ll love!
Where to Use Demerara Sugar
Demerara sugar can be added to your favorite beverages, like tea and coffee. Like other types of sugar, it’s also a great addition to many pastries and savory dishes.
Health Benefits of Demerara Sugar
01 Has Vitamins and Minerals
Demerara sugar has molasses, which doesn’t just contribute to the molasses flavor – it’s also packed with vitamins and minerals, too! Calcium, iron, and vitamins B and B5 are only some examples. As a result, you won’t have to suffer from vitamin B depletion, and you get to benefit from certain nutrients, too!
02 Has Little Processing
Unlike other types of sugar, demerara sugar is a healthier alternative and undergoes minimal processing. Raw sugar, among all types of sugar, retains nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. With the minimally processed demerara sugar, you get to enjoy health benefits!
03 Helps in Nourishing the Skin
Aside from being a good ingredient in most recipes, demerara sugar is also great for your skin! It can remove dead skin, for one thing, without causing tears. It also contains glycolic acid, which can help in skin regeneration.
Yes, you can use it as an exfoliant, but you can also use demerara sugar as a skin moisturizer. It can keep your skin properly moisturized and hydrated.
04 Promotes Better Immunity
Unlike white sugar or granulated sugar, demerara sugar doesn’t affect the metabolization of calcium. Plus, aside from it boosting your immunity, it can keep you healthy and not result in any side effects.
05 Reduces Inflammation in the Body
As an all-natural substance and unlike other types of sugar, demerara sugar doesn’t trigger any bacterial infection in the body. It’s a good substitute for anti-histamines!
How to Store Demerara Sugar
You can store sugar in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry place in your pantry, and make sure moisture doesn’t get in! Any kind of moisture with granulated sugar can make it clumpy.
Demerara Sugar Recipe
Looking for some demerara sugar recipes? We’ve got you. You can substitute other sugars for this recipe – either substitute granulated sugar or use popular sugar alternatives like raw sugar, brown sugar or coconut sugar.
Chocolate Chip Muffins
What You Will Need:
This recipe calls for demerara sugar or brown sugar, among other alternatives, flour, baking powder, butter, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Step 1:
Start the recipe by preheating the oven. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Step 2:
Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips together in a mixing bowl.
Step 3:
In another bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract together. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
Step 4:
Pour the batter into 12-muffin cups and bake for around twenty minutes. Let cool and serve warm.
FAQs:
Is demerara sugar good or bad for health?
Demerara sugar is good for your health as long as it’s taken in moderation. You can find demerara sugar to be beneficial as long as you control your portions!
What is the difference between white sugar and demerara sugar?
White sugar and demerara sugar actually have the same caloric content! However, white sugar is more refined, and demerara sugar has more trace minerals in it, which leads to many health benefits.
Can demerara sugar be used for cooking?
Yes, demerara sugar can be used for cooking! It can also be used for baking and as a general sweetener for beverages and food.