
sugar
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)
Chocolatetown Special Cake
Chocolatetown Special Cake from the Recidemia collection
Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake
Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection
Chocolate Waffles with Toasted Almonds
.
Chocolate Walnut Cookies
Makes about 12 cookies
Choco-Nutty Pie
American cuisine | Vegetarian Cuisine | Holiday Recipes
Cholly's Tuna Salad
Makes 6 servings.
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.
Choux à la Crème
In Romanian: Choux a la creme
Chow Chow I
Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group
Christmas Biscuits
Christmas Biscuits from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Borscht
Makes 8 servings.
Christmas Bread
Christmas Bread from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Bread Pudding
Christmas Bread Pudding from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Bunuelos
Christmas Bunuelos from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Butter Cookies
Christmas Butter Cookies from Recipes Wiki—original source of recipe, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License
Christmas Butter Cookies I
Makes 4 – 5 dozen
Christmas Candy Canes
Any self-respecting Christmas tree has a right to complain if it isn't decked out with a candy cane.
Christmas Cappuccino
Christmas Cappuccino from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Cheesecake
Christmas Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Cocktail
Christmas Cocktail from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Cookies I
Makes 6 dozen cookies
Christmas Cookie Slices
Christmas Cookie Slices from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Day Muffins
Makes 12 muffins
Christmas Day Parfaits
Christmas Day Parfaits from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Eggnog
* Source: Recipes Wiki—original recipe, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Christmas Eve Mexican Salad
Yield: about 8 servings.
Christmas Fudge I
Makes about 80 pieces.
Christmas Hazelnut Balls
Yield: about 20 balls.
Christmas Jelly
Christmas Jelly from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Jewels
Christmas Jewels from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Ornament Cookies
Christmas Ornament Cookies from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Peppermint Candy Cheesecake
Christmas Peppermint Candy Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Plum Pudding
Christmas Plum Pudding from the Recidemia collection
Christmas Sauce
Original recipe site
Christmas Vegetable Salad Mold
Christmas Vegetable Salad Mold from the Recidemia collection
Christopsomo tis Kirias Zinis
Christopsomo tis Kirias Zinis from the Recidemia collection
Chruscik
Polish "bows" – cookies Chruscik Makes 8 dozen.
Chunky Taco Sauce for Canning
Contributed by Delma at World Recipes Y-Group * Yield
Church Potluck White Chocolate Bread Pudding
I obtained this recipe from my pastor's wife in 1981.
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.
Cider Doughnuts
Cider Doughnuts from the Recidemia collection
Cilantro Dressing for Salads
This dressing is great on a fresh veggie salad, chicken salad, crisp green salad, taco salads or any tossed salad.
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.
Cinnamon Nut Muffins
Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2sam and Tiny at World Re
Cinnamon Rice Flan
Makes 8 servings.
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!
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!
Classic Cooked Eggnog
Yield - makes ½ quarts or 12 (½ cup) servings.
Classic Strawberry Shortcake w/ Fresh Strawberry Sauce
Classic Strawberry Shortcake w/ Fresh Strawberry Sauce from the Recidemia collection
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.