brown sugar is white sugar mixed with molasses, so it will be sweeter and stickier. i wouldn't sub. brown for white. the recipe won't be the same.
Some people have the misconception that brown sugar is healthier than white sugar. Not true! They are equally unhealthy (healthy?) 
I assume this thinking comes from the whole wheat flour is healthier than white flour, brown rice is healthier than white rice comparision. It doesn't carry over to sugar.
As far as substitution goes, it depends on the recipe. I think it would be most successful in a cookie or brownie recipe. Cakes rely so much on the density and proportions of the ingredients to be successful, that it might be tricky to substitute.
You could experiment!
Thanks for all the replies.
To be more specific, I have an order for a cake without white sugar or soda bicarbonate. I'm thinking of doing a carrot cake using brown sugar. Will that compromise the taste?
Carrot cake is pretty forgiving. You could try it. What is the reason they don't want white sugar?
Here's more info on sugar from Allrecipes.com:
http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/sugar/Detail.aspx
Thanks for all the replies.
To be more specific, I have an order for a cake without white sugar or soda bicarbonate. I'm thinking of doing a carrot cake using brown sugar. Will that compromise the taste?
Do they mean they want a sugar substitute?
I did a yahoo search on brown sugar vs white sugar, and it depends on the refining method used. It is either cane sugar with the syrup (molasses) still there(not quite as refined as white sugar), or sometimes it is white sugar mixed with molasses for the taste.--Anyways, that's my pitiful summary.
does this help?
Brown Sugar Carrot Cake
2 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup oil
4 eggs
3 cups grated carrots
1 cups chopped pecans or walnuts
Mix together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, bakin soda, cinnamon and salt. Add oil and mix thoroughly. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each one. Blend in carrots and nuts. Pour into greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350* F for 45 minutes.
good luck
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%
