Brown sugar is created by combining white sugar with molasses, and is typically soft and slightly crumbly. It is available in light and dark varieties, and is most commonly used for baking. Brown sugar should be kept in an airtight container to prevent hardening. While brown sugar is usually used in cooking, it does have some skin care and home uses.

Brown sugar tastes sweet and slightly tangy due to the molasses content which makes it a popular sweetener in baked items such as cookies, breads, muffins, coffee cake, pies and pastries.

Brown sugar is a common sweetener in cooking when a slight spice and sweetness is desired. Cooked items with brown sugar include barbecue baked beans, glazed ham, syrup, sweet potatoes and Swiss steak.

The crumbly nature of brown sugar makes it a popular topping for food items such as oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit. It can also be melted with butter and blended to create a sweet glaze for turkey, ham or vegetables.

The grainy texture of brown sugar acts as an exfoliate for the skin. To create a homemade skin scrub, combine 1 1/3 cups lightly-packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup almond oil, 1 tbsp. vitamin E oil and 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice mix until a thick paste is formed. Spread onto damp skin and massage in a circular motion. Rinse with warm water. The mixture can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. This scrub is not meant for facial use.

Brown sugar can also be used for some home items, including homemade fly paper. Mix together 1 tbsp. brown sugar, 1 tbsp. white sugar and 1 cup maple syrup. Brush onto a brown paper bag. Place the bag sticky-side up on a windowsill.