Salvaging Brown Sugar

Dear Lynne,
Is there a way to salvage brown sugar that's turned to stone?

Melinda in Minneapolis

Dear Melinda,
Brown sugar turns to stone if not sealed airtight because the film of moist molasses around the sugar crystals dries up, hardening like cement.
There are two solutions. The overnight fix is to put the sugar in a heavy plastic bag, cover it with a small piece of plastic wrap, add several apple slices or a moistened paper towel and seal. Once the sugar is moist, discard the apple and paper towel and keep it sealed.
For an instant solution, you can microwave sugar on high for a few minutes, but be sure to use it quickly because it hardens up again in almost a flash.