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sugar

SweetenersYear-round. Refined sugar is a shelf-stable commodity product available continuously; however, specialty sugars such as fresh cane juice and maple syrup have distinct seasonal availability tied to harvest periods.

Sugar is primarily composed of carbohydrates providing approximately 4 calories per gram, with negligible protein, fat, or micronutrients in refined white sugar. Specialty sugars such as muscovado and coconut sugar contain trace minerals including potassium and iron, though in nutritionally insignificant quantities.

About

Sugar is a simple carbohydrate (monosaccharide or disaccharide) that serves as a fundamental sweetening agent in culinary applications worldwide. The most common culinary sugar is sucrose, a disaccharide derived from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) or sugar beets (Beta vulgaris), which is extracted, refined, and crystallized into granulated form. Sucrose comprises glucose and fructose units bonded together and represents approximately 99.9% purity in refined white sugar.\n\nSugar exists in multiple forms beyond granulated white sugar, including brown sugar (sucrose with molasses), muscovado (moist, mineral-rich), demerara, and turbinado (large-crystal varieties), as well as other sweetening sources such as honey, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. Each variety possesses distinct moisture content, crystal size, and residual mineral profiles that influence flavor and culinary properties. Chemically, sugar is highly soluble in water and undergoes transformation when heated—caramelizing at elevated temperatures and undergoing the Maillard reaction when combined with proteins.

Culinary Uses

Sugar functions as a fundamental ingredient across all culinary traditions, serving roles that extend far beyond simple sweetening. In baking, it modifies texture (providing moisture and tenderness), promotes browning through caramelization and the Maillard reaction, and contributes to structure through its hygroscopic properties. In confectionery, precise heating and crystallization techniques transform sugar into syrups, caramels, fondant, and pulled sugar sculptures. Sugar also functions as a preservative in jams and pickles, balances acidity in sauces, and enhances the perception of other flavors. It appears in savory applications including barbecue rubs, glazes, and Asian cooking, where balance between sweet and savory is essential.

Used In

Recipes Using sugar (2,800)

RCI-BR.004.0088.001

Campers Orange-Coconut Cake

Campers Orange-Coconut Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0104.001

Candied Walnut Butter Salad

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Serves 4

RCI-DS.003.0033.001

Candy Apples

Candy Apples are North American treats for the holidays, especially prominent for Halloween.

RCI-DS.003.0035.001

Candy Easter Eggs

These are good and they will disappear quickly. Makes 13 small eggs or 2 (1 pound) eggs or 3 small.

RCI-RC.005.0022.001

Canjica

Canjica from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0105.001

Cantaloupe Panna Cotta with Blueberries and Ginger

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 8 servings

RCI-MT.004.0113.001

Cantonese Chicken with Rice

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-ND.005.0021.002

Cao lầu

Cuisine of Vietnam is a Vietnamese regional noodle dish found only in Hội An, in the Quang Nam Province of central Vietnam. This serves 3-4 people.

RCI-ND.005.0021.001

Cao lầu

Cuisine of Vietnam is a Vietnamese regional noodle dish found only in Hội An, in the Quang Nam Province of central Vietnam. This serves 3-4 people.

RCI-SN.004.0021.001

Caponata

Caponata from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0089.001

Cappuccino-kissed Cheesecake

Makes 16 servings

RCI-DS.001.0106.001

Cappucino Mousse

Cappucino Mousse from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0090.001

Caramel Coffee Cake

Cake Serves 12.

RCI-DS.001.0107.001

Caramel Custard

A sweet sauce.

RCI-DS.004.0057.001

Caramelized Figs

Part of Hopper's entry in Iron Chef SA 028:Balsamic Battle image:balsfigs1.jpg

RCI-VG.004.0196.001

Caramelized Plantains

One of the best Moroccan desserts around - full of sweetness, the plantains give you energy and are really easy to make.

RCI-VG.004.0197.001

Caramelized Ripe Plantains

Caramelized Ripe Plantains from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0109.001

Caramelized Sugar Cream

In Romanian: crema de zahar ars

RCI-DS.003.0041.001

Caramelized Sweet and Sour Onion Marmalade

Caramelized Sweet and Sour Onion Marmalade

RCI-SC.007.0055.002

Caramel Sauce

Caramel Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0108.001

Caraway Cookies

Caraway Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0031.001

Caraway Sauerkraut

Caraway Sauerkraut from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0057.001

Carbonnade I

Belgian beer stew

RCI-BR.004.0091.001

Cardamom Coffee Cakes

Yield: 2 coffee cakes

RCI-BR.005.0109.001

Cardamom Shortbread Cookies

.

RCI-BR.003.0116.001

Caribbean Christmas Ring

Caribbean Christmas Ring from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0057.001

Carolina BBQ Rub

Don't just settle for a few of these! Get your hands on every award winning barbecue sauce ever made and it it to your recipe collection. Here's my Favorite from a seasoned pro and in my opinion a BBQ sauce genius!

RCI-VG.005.0032.001

Carot Chua

Pickled carrots From "Catsrecipes Y-Group"

RCI-BR.005.0111.001

Carquinyoli

Carquinyoli from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0045.001

Carrot Barfi

Carrot Barfi

RCI-BR.005.0112.001

Carrot Bars

Carrot Bars from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0093.002

Carrot Cake

=Variation One=

Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting
RCI-BR.004.0094.001

Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting Try this moist and flavorful carrot cake recipe!

RCI-BR.004.0097.001

Carrot Cake Trinidad

Carrot Cake Trinidad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0098.001

Carrot Cake Upside Your Head

Submitted by criscodisco Uploaded by Schpyder I work with a crazy old lady, and today is her ten millionth birthday. She loves carrot cake, so I decided to make several to take into work tonight.

RCI-BR.003.0120.001

Carrot Cream Bread

.

RCI-BR.004.0099.001

Carrot Fluff

Carrot Fluff from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0100.001

Carrot Fruit Cake

Carrot Fruit Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0056.001

Carrot Ice Cream Pie

.

RCI-BR.005.0113.001

Carrot Macaroons

Carrot Macaroons from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.009.0012.001

Carrot Orange Juice

Carrot Orange Juice from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0120.001

Carrot Slaw

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 6 cups

RCI-BR.004.0101.001

Casata

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is

RCI-DS.003.0048.001

Cashew Macadamia Crunch

About -1/2 pounds candy.

RCI-BR.003.0124.001

Cassava Pone Guyanese-style

Cassava Pone Guyanese-style from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0230.001

Casserole of Stewed Cabbage

Casserole of Stewed Cabbage from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0102.001

Castagnaccio (chestnut cake)

* 4-6 servings

RCI-SC.003.0039.001

Catalina Dressing

Catalina Dressing from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0074.001

Catfish Sate

A Catfish recipe.

RCI-DS.001.0114.001

Cathy's Banana Pudding

From my Aunt Maggie's Collection. Dated 1919.