How can hard brown sugar be softened?

Here are several suggestions:

• · Place a piece of foil or plastic wrap directly on the sugar and set a piece of dampened paper towel on the foil. Cover the container tightly. The sugar will absorb the moisture and become soft. Remove the foil and paper when the paper is dry.
• Place a slice of fresh bread in the container with the brown sugar. Cover tightly and leave for 1-2 days. When the bread is dried out, remove it.
• To soften brown sugar quickly, heat it in a slow (250 to 300 degrees F.) oven for a few minutes. Measure it as soon as the sugar becomes soft as it will harden again when it cools.

Barbara Willenberg, Nutritional Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia.