1. Use a microwave or conventional oven to soften hard brown sugar.
2. Use what you need immediately since the sugar will re-harden as it cools.
3. Try storing the sugar in a sealed container with a piece of bread or apple slices to restore its moisture.
4. Keep brown sugar in an airtight container in a cool, damp place to prevent hardening.

</note>

• by Denise Ryan

• Because brown sugar is made of sugar crystals bonded with a molasses syrup, prolonged exposure to air will cause it to lose moisture and harden.Sugar Alliance: What is Brown Sugar? If you find your brown sugar in this brick-hard state, there are several methods to recapture its original consistency. Pick one to suit your time frame, and you'll be cooking with brown sugar once again.

• Whether you want to use your brown sugar immediately or have a few days before it's needed, try one of the following methods to restore brown sugar to its fluffy state.

1. Put the bag of brown sugar in the microwave.Land O'Lakes: Softening Brown Sugar
2. Place a small bowl of water next to it.TipNut: 10 Ways to Soften Hard Brown Sugar
3. Microwave on high for two to three minutes.Land O'Lakes: Softening Brown Sugar
4. Rotate and check the bag in 30-second increments to ensure the sugar doesn't melt.StartCooking.com: How to Store Brown Sugar

1. Place the brown sugar in a baking dish.TipNut: 10 Ways to Soften Hard Brown Sugar
2. Sit in a 250-degree oven until soft.C&H: How Should I Soften Brown Sugar?
3. Use what you need immediately, since the brown sugar will re-harden when it cools.C&H: How Should I Soften Brown Sugar?
4. 

1. Place 1/2 pound of the brown sugar in a bowl.Domino Sugar: Sugar Questions and Answers
2. Cover the sugar with damp paper towels.Martha Stewart: Homemade Brown Sugar
3. Cover the bowl with aluminum foil or cling wrap.Domino Sugar: Sugar Questions and Answers
4. Let it sit overnight at room temperature.Martha Stewart: Homemade Brown Sugar
5. Fluff the sugar with a fork before using.Nibblous: How to Soften Brown Sugar

1. Place the brown sugar and a few drops of water in a sealed plastic bag.TipNut: 10 Ways to Soften Hard Brown Sugar
2. Stash the sugar with a piece of soft bread or two apple slices until it regains its moisture.Chow: Softening Up Brown Sugar

• If you're constantly battling with rock hard brown sugar, try switching to one of the following storage ideas to keep it soft and fresh.

1. Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, damp area.C&H: How Should Brown Sugar Be Stored?
2. Place a piece of citrus fruit (like an orange, lime or lemon) with the sugar in an airtight container.Robbie's Kitchen: Brown Sugar
3. Use a saturated Brown Sugar Bear to keep the product moist for three months.Sugar Bears: The Original Brown Sugar Bear
4. Store the brown sugar in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.Professor's House: How to Avoid Hardening Brown Sugar
   • -Let it sit for 15 minutes at room temperature before using to allow it to return to its soft form.Professor's House: How to Avoid Hardening Brown Sugar

• The next time you're stuck with an unusable box of brown sugar, avoid a trip to the store by using an easy method to make it light and fluffy again. Once done, you'll be able to measure and pack it to suit your recipe's specific instructions.