Help! Any way to soften brown sugar quickly?

Any tips on how to soften brown sugar? I have all my ingredients ready to bake a batch of cookies and, to my disappointment, discovered that all my bags of brown sugar are dry and hard. I know there are long term tips for softening them over the next couple of days (like putting an apple in the sugar canister with the hard sugar), but I really need to use the sugar now, this morning. Any tried and true ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Moderator Joined: May 20 2007 Posts: 2329

Microwave for a few seconds in the plastic bag.
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Posted: Sun, Jun 12 2011, 9:29 am Post subject:

Stick it in a container and microwave for 30-60 seconds, along with some water in a separate container. Repeat until soft (but not melted).

Silver Member Joined: Oct 12 2004 Posts: 722

Put a slice of bread into the bag with the sugar. You only have to wait a short time and it'll be soft.

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 11 2010 Posts: 3170

I do the microwave. Did you get it soft yet?

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 08 2010 Posts: 2593

I put it in a glass bowl in the microwave with a damp paper towel covering the bowl and saran wrap on top.
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Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less - Timothy Keller

OP here. Thank you all for your tips. And, yes, the microwave idea worked....
I will try the slice of bread idea for one of the bags, though, to have it ready for when I bake next. Sounds like a great idea as well.
You know, when I found the 'hard as a rock' brown sugar this morning, I was so frustrated.
I don't know what made me think of posting a thread on imamother. But I realize now what a great group of women you are, always coming to the rescue to help others! Very Happy

Silver Member Joined: Aug 23 2010 Posts: 599

I know you solved this already, but for the future, I once read to put the brown sugar into a bowl, cover it with a wet paper towel, cover that with silver foil, and let it sit. It does take some time to soften, but it works.

Diamond Member Joined: Nov 30 2009 Posts: 4943

my bag of brown sugar gave instructions to soften it. put in a microwave container, cover with a damp paper towel and microwave till softer. redampen the paper towel as needed. It worked in under 2 minutes

Senior Member Joined: May 24 2011 Posts: 144

what about spices? does this tip (using bread) also work for spices eg bbq spice?

Senior Member Joined: May 24 2011 Posts: 144

what about spices? does this tip (using bread) also work for spices eg bbq spice?

Gold Member Joined: Oct 10 2010 Posts: 1611

Double bag your brown sugar and it won't turn hard.

Silver Member Joined: Oct 12 2004 Posts: 722