What is packed brown sugar?

Question

I don't understand the difference between this and normal brown sugar?

Answer 1

It's the way the Americans have to use it in their "cup" measurements which, with brown sugar can vary depending on how much it is pushed into the cup, expelling air spaces. Either way, the results can cause a variation in the weight and that's why I think 'cup' measurements mean very little against using REAL scales.

Answer 2

When baking or cooking with brown sugar you need to "pack" it into the measuring vessel (cup or spoon). The act of packing means to put the loose brown sugar into the cup and press down firmly and then add additional sugar until the cup is filled, packing down after each addition. This gives a correct measurement. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 C of brown sugar (it doesn't always say packed by the way) you would spoon the sugar into your cup measure and push down with the back of the spoon to comprress the sugar, then add additonal sugar and repeat the compression. When you are done you should be able to turn the cup over and the sugar should retain the shape of the cup as you put it into the bowl you are using for mixing.



In other words, there is no difference in "normal" and "packed" brown sugar, it is a measuring technique

Answer 3

If a recipe calls for a cup of packed brown sugar...you just pack regular brown sugar into the measuring cup. If you press the sugar into the cup...you can fit more into it....hence-packed brown sugar!

Answer 4

Packed brown sugar, unlike light or dark brown sugar, is not a type of brown sugar, but a reference to how you measure it. It means that rather than lightly spooning the brown sugar into a measuring cup and leaving lots of air pockets, you pack it into the measuring cup and squish it down until you can't fit any more in.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

What is packed brown sugar?

I don't understand the difference between this and normal brown sugar?

Answer 6

Don't just put it in the measuring cup, press on it to pack it and fill the measuring cup. Unpacked brown sugar has air in it which gives you less sugar. Some recipes call for unpacked but most need it packed.

Answer 7

When you measure it you pat it down so when you turn it out again it holds the shape of the cup it was just in. So when you measure out a cup of brown sugar for example, press it into the cup firmly.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

I only know of two types of brown sugar

Light and Dark.

Answer 9

one is packed into a solidish block and one is loose i think????