• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fearless Dining
  • New? Start Here
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • GF Resources
    • Pantry
  • The Gluten Free Resource Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Gluten Free Living
  • Reader Testimonials
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Resources
    • My Pantry
  • Testimonials
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Resources
    • My Pantry
  • Testimonials
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
×
Home Baking Ingredients

Is Brown Sugar Gluten Free? What To Look For!

Published: May 12, 2022 · Modified: Oct 3, 2022 by Sandi Gaertner · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links

  • Facebook
  • Yummly
  • Flipboard
a pinterest image of brown sugar.

There are so many different sweeteners that it can be hard to know which fits a gluten free diet. This post will focus on one of the more common types of sweeteners - brown sugar. 

Brown sugar is popular for its caramel flavors and is used in many baking recipes and shopping lists. But is brown sugar truly gluten free? 

a spoon of brown sugar.
Jump to:
  • What Is Brown Sugar?
  • Answer: Is Brown Sugar Gluten Free?
  • What Brands Of Brown Sugar Are Gluten Free?
  • In Summary:
  • Gluten Free Recipes With Brown Sugar:
  • 💬 Comments

What Is Brown Sugar?

Brown sugar is a sugar made from mixing granulated sugar and molasses. The molasses give the sugar its beautiful golden color and deep flavor. When added to baked goods, brown sugar gives them a maple syrup-like taste that makes them absolutely delicious! 

Molasses is a syrup made from sugar beets or sugar cane. It’s dark, thick, and sticky. You can get light brown or dark brown sugar depending on how much molasses is added to the granulated sugar. You can read more about whether molasses is gluten free for more details.

Answer: Is Brown Sugar Gluten Free?

Yes! Brown sugar is gluten free because it is simply white sugar mixed with molasses. Both of those ingredients are naturally free from gluten. Most bags of brown sugar are not labeled “gluten free” because there are only two ingredients. The manufacturers generally don’t have issues with cross-contamination. 

There are two issues to look out for when purchasing brown sugar at your local grocery store.

First, most companies that sell brown sugar use pure cane sugar. Still, some take the cheaper route and cut the sugar with artificial sweeteners. These additives sometimes include gluten-based ingredients, so it is best to double-check the ingredients list before purchasing. Look for brown sugar that has no additives, flavorings, etc. 

The other issue is cross-contamination. Unfortunately, there are a few brands that have cross-contamination with gluten. The list below provides a list of popular brands of brown sugar that are entirely safe to eat. 

Still worried? You can easily make homemade brown sugar by mixing white cane sugar with molasses in a food processor until well combined. That’s it! You can add as much molasses as possible to make your own light or dark brown sugar. 

I have researched a lot of ingredients to see what is gluten free. Check out the gluten free baking ingredients.

What Brands Of Brown Sugar Are Gluten Free?

The brown sugar brands below are gluten free and free from gluten contamination. As things change with time, take a closer look at the ingredients list and packaging to ensure. 

Look for a “certified” gluten free label for the most effortless time shopping. 

  • Big Tree Farms Brown Coconut Sugar
  • Domino Brown Sugar
  • Natural Earth Light Brown Sugar
  • Wholesome Dark Brown Sugar
  • Great Value Brown Sugar
  • Imperial Sugar Dark Brown Sugar
A hand packing brown sugar into a measuring scoop.

Check out Is Powdered Sugar Gluten Free to see which brands are safe for those who can't have gluten.

In Summary:

Brown sugar is gluten free, but make sure to buy a brand made from only pure cane sugar and molasses. For those with extreme gluten sensitivity, buy a brand that is labeled gluten free to avoid issues with cross-contamination. 

Gluten Free Recipes With Brown Sugar:

  • Cinnamon Brown Sugar Carrots
  • Easy Gluten Free Butterscotch Brownies
  • Light and Fluffy Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls
Disclaimer image
the cover image of my lemon e-cookbook.

If you love the recipes you find on my blog, I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter (and get my free gluten free lemon dessert e-cookbook!)

More Baking Ingredients

  • A glass bowl filled with my gluten free flour blend.
    Easy Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend
  • a mixing bowl with flour.
    The Best Gluten Free Flour Blends (And Where to Use Them)
  • a bowl of coconut sugar on a table.
    Is Coconut Sugar Gluten Free? (Safe Brand List!)
  • a wooden spoon full of cornstarch.
    Is Cornstarch Gluten Free? (GF Brand List)
  • Facebook
  • Yummly
  • Flipboard

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

  • Amazon
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
A picture of my face standing in front of landscape bushes

Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you are here. If you have Celiac Disease, are gluten intolerant, or have a wheat allergy, you've come to the right place. With years of extensive experience in recipe development, I am dedicated to assisting you on your gluten free journey. As a seasoned gluten free cookbook author and recipe developer, I specialize in creating easy, family-friendly recipes that rival their gluten-filled counterparts. Rest assured, my recipes undergo rigorous testing and refinement, ensuring foolproof results every time.

More about me →

Back To School Recipes:

  • Two bowls of Gluten Free Hamburger Helper on a wooden table.
    Gluten-Free Hamburger Helper: One-Pot Comfort Food
  • a plate with orange chicken over rice.
    Quick and Easy Gluten Free Orange Chicken
  • a photo of the skillet lasagna in a large pan.
    Gluten Free Skillet Lasagna
  • chopsticks holding up beef and noodles
    Gluten Free Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

More Meal Recipes!

A glass bowl filled with my gluten free flour blend.

Try My DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend Recipe! It is also gum-free!

Trending Gluten Free Recipes:

  • two slices of gluten free bread on a plate
    Bake the Best Gluten Free Bread with Your Bread Machine
  • A baked pie crust in a pan.
    How to Make a Homemade Gluten Free Pie Crust
  • two bowls of chicken soup with a garlic press and garlic cloves next to the bowls
    Grandma's Chicken Soup From Scratch
  • a biscuit cut in half on a plate with butter
    The Best Flaky Gluten Free Biscuits

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up!

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Web Stories

Copyright © 2013-2023 Fearless Dining, LLC.