How to Soften Brown Sugar Immediately

I got a great buy on organic brown sugar because it was hard as a rock. I'd heard you can throw in whole unpeeled apples or a slice of bread to soften it up, but I never got around to doing it and needed soft brown sugar right away. I couldn't wait a day or 2 to try these techniques. If you live in Idaho or Utah you become familiar with brown sugar that's hard-as-bricks--people in the humid south don't have this problem. A trick to try if your brown sugar is soft and you want to keep it that way--store it in the bottom vegetable bin inside the refrigerator. Your brown sugar will stay nice and soft. Courtesy of tipnut.com.

• Ready In: 2 mins
• Serves: 10-30

Ingredients

•  brown sugar
•  water

Directions

1. Place brown sugar into a bowl and place in microwave.
2. Fill another bowl with water and place in microwave with brown sugar.
3. Microwave for 1 minute and check brown sugar. If it is still hard, try it for 30 seconds longer.
4. I actually softened my entire bag of brown sugar at one time and continued this method until it was softened. It took several minutes, and I broke it apart with my hands toward the end.
5. If you are concerned about burning yourself with boiling water that explodes, throw a few toothpicks in your water to break the surface and allow the water to boil properly. (I did not try this method because I never think this way--that's why my nickname is Runs with Scissors). After I did this I read that water can be superheated and explode.