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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.004.0163.001

Chocolatetown Special Cake

Chocolatetown Special Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0165.001

Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake

Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0049.001

Chocolate Waffles with Toasted Almonds

.

RCI-BR.005.0171.001

Chocolate Walnut Cookies

Makes about 12 cookies

RCI-BR.006.0084.001

Choco-Nutty Pie

American cuisine | Vegetarian Cuisine | Holiday Recipes

RCI-SF.001.0090.001

Cholly's Tuna Salad

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-BR.001.0052.001

Choreg Armenian Sweet Pastry

From my Grandmother's collection. Date on card says this is a family favorite and one made for bridal showers. Dated 1924.

RCI-BR.007.0035.001

Choux à la Crème

In Romanian: Choux a la creme

RCI-PF.001.0011.001

Chow Chow I

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.005.0173.001

Christmas Biscuits

Christmas Biscuits from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0190.001

Christmas Borscht

Makes 8 servings.

RCI-BR.001.0053.001

Christmas Bread

Christmas Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0151.001

Christmas Bread Pudding

Christmas Bread Pudding from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.002.0093.001

Christmas Bunuelos

Christmas Bunuelos from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0174.001

Christmas Butter Cookies

Christmas Butter Cookies from Recipes Wiki—original source of recipe, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License

RCI-BR.005.0175.001

Christmas Butter Cookies I

Makes 4 – 5 dozen

RCI-DS.003.0086.001

Christmas Candy Canes

Any self-respecting Christmas tree has a right to complain if it isn't decked out with a candy cane.

RCI-VG.004.0307.001

Christmas Cappuccino

Christmas Cappuccino from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0172.001

Christmas Cheesecake

Christmas Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.001.0059.001

Christmas Cocktail

Christmas Cocktail from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0178.001

Christmas Cookies I

Makes 6 dozen cookies

RCI-BR.005.0179.001

Christmas Cookie Slices

Christmas Cookie Slices from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0136.001

Christmas Day Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

RCI-DS.002.0045.001

Christmas Day Parfaits

Christmas Day Parfaits from the Recidemia collection

RCI-EG.004.0016.001

Christmas Eggnog

* Source: Recipes Wiki—original recipe, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.

RCI-VG.001.0155.001

Christmas Eve Mexican Salad

Yield: about 8 servings.

RCI-DS.003.0089.001

Christmas Fudge I

Makes about 80 pieces.

RCI-BR.005.0186.001

Christmas Hazelnut Balls

Yield: about 20 balls.

RCI-DS.005.0009.001

Christmas Jelly

Christmas Jelly from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0188.001

Christmas Jewels

Christmas Jewels from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0190.001

Christmas Ornament Cookies

Christmas Ornament Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0174.001

Christmas Peppermint Candy Cheesecake

Christmas Peppermint Candy Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0152.001

Christmas Plum Pudding

Christmas Plum Pudding from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.005.0028.001

Christmas Sauce

Original recipe site

RCI-DS.001.0155.001

Christmas Vegetable Salad Mold

Christmas Vegetable Salad Mold from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0055.001

Christopsomo tis Kirias Zinis

Christopsomo tis Kirias Zinis from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.007.0037.001

Chruscik

Polish "bows" – cookies Chruscik Makes 8 dozen.

RCI-SC.007.0074.001

Chunky Taco Sauce for Canning

Contributed by Delma at World Recipes Y-Group * Yield

RCI-DS.001.0156.001

Church Potluck White Chocolate Bread Pudding

I obtained this recipe from my pastor's wife in 1981.

RCI-SF.001.0091.001

Chuu Chee Fish

is whole fish in kaeng chuu chee curry sauce with lime leaves. This very tasty distinctly Thai fish dish is great as one of the main courses of a Thai banquet. It is also good on its own with rice.

RCI-SN.002.0095.001

Cider Doughnuts

Cider Doughnuts from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.003.0047.001

Cilantro Dressing for Salads

This dressing is great on a fresh veggie salad, chicken salad, crisp green salad, taco salads or any tossed salad.

RCI-SN.004.0040.001

Cinnamon croutons

are a sweet variation on the classic salad croûton, which can be used to enhance a fruit salad. Alternately, these croûtons make a good addition to pumpkin, sweet potato or carrot soups.

RCI-BR.003.0137.001

Cinnamon Nut Muffins

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2sam and Tiny at World Re

RCI-DS.001.0158.001

Cinnamon Rice Flan

Makes 8 servings.

RCI-BR.006.0085.002

Classic American Apple Pie

I don't have a problem with international food, but people are forgetting where we're from! Time to come back to America!

RCI-BR.006.0085.001

Classic American Apple Pie

I don't have a problem with international food, but people are forgetting where we're from! Time to come back to America!

RCI-EG.004.0018.001

Classic Cooked Eggnog

Yield - makes ½ quarts or 12 (½ cup) servings.

RCI-BR.004.0177.001

Classic Strawberry Shortcake w/ Fresh Strawberry Sauce

Classic Strawberry Shortcake w/ Fresh Strawberry Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0092.001

Cocada Amarela

Yellow coconut pudding that originated in Mozambique and serves eight (8). Again, the influence of the coconut farms of Mozambique are in evidence here.