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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.008.0051.001

Columbian Pancakes

Columbian Pancakes

RCI-SP.004.0111.001

Comlek

Rabbit casserole with onions and wine vinegar. The same recipe can be used for hare, with excellent results, by increasing quantities of other ingredients, since hare is much heavier than rabbit. , being soaked in vinegar.

RCI-RC.004.0092.001

Confetti Rice Salad

Confetti Rice Salad

RCI-DS.004.0080.001

Congo Fool

Fool is old-fashioned custard and fruit dessert native to England, but popular in English-speaking Africa. In the original English Fool, gooseberries are traditionally used.

RCI-DS.004.0081.001

Congo Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad

RCI-BR.003.0148.001

Conkies

Conkies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0333.001

Cooked Sweet Corn

Cooked Sweet Corn from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0150.001

Corn Bread

Corn Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0053.001

Corn Pancakes

American cuisine Breakfast Cuisine Vegetarian Cuisine

RCI-BR.008.0054.001

Corn Skillet Cakes

Corn Skillet Cakes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-EG.003.0043.001

Corny Soufflé

American cuisine Vegetarian Cuisine

RCI-SF.001.0098.001

Costa Rican Tilapia

Costa Rican Tilapia from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.002.0103.001

Cottage Cheese Sticks

Cottage Cheese Sticks from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0172.001

Country Cheese with Raspberries

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: old newspa

RCI-VG.004.0341.001

Country-style Green Beans

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: The Illust

RCI-VG.004.0345.001

Cowboy Beans

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-BR.005.0218.001

Cowboy Cookie Mix

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Yield: About 3½ do

RCI-BR.003.0159.001

Cranberry Walnut Bread

Created by Lauren HaguPie, submitted by Cyrai. I love to bake breads, and this is one of my favorites to make. It's especially great around this time of year when fresh cranberries are in abundance.

RCI-DS.003.0113.001

Cranberry Walnut White Fudge

A visit to several Oregon cranberry farms inspired my unusual fruit-flavored white fudge. I make it for family and friends at holidays and for special occasions. I was thrilled when the recipe earned first place at our county fair.

RCI-DS.003.0114.001

Cream Cheese Barfi

Cream Cheese Barfi

RCI-BR.001.0069.001

Cream Cheese Bread

Bread machine recipe. This recipe is excellent for additions like nuts, raisins, etc.

RCI-BR.006.0092.001

Cream Cheese Brownie Pie

Dessert Recipes by South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-BR.005.0222.001

Cream Cheese Brownies

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.005.0223.001

Cream Cheese Cookies

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Legmen Estate in Jacksonville, Texas in 1991.

RCI-BR.007.0041.001

Cream Cheese Pineapple Danish

Spray rectangular baking pay with nonstick cooking spray. Spread one can of crescent rolls on the bottom pinching edges together. Mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until creamy then spread over crescent roll bottom.

RCI-BR.006.0093.001

Cream Cheese Rhubarb Pie

Cream Cheese Rhubarb Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0102.001

Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

Cream Cheese Roll-Ups from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0350.001

Creamed Green Peas

Good little side dish, especially if your kids (or even you) don't normally care for Peas, and want a way to eat them.

RCI-VG.004.0351.001

Creamed Peas and Carrots

Serves 6 Creamed Peas and Carrots

RCI-VG.004.0352.002

Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach makes a nutritious sauce that goes well with fish and meat dishes. In Swedish cuisine it has traditionally been used with boiled potatoes and fish or with chipolata, the Swedish "prince-sausage".

RCI-BR.007.0043.001

Cream Horns (Šaumrole)

2 dozens Cream Horns (Šaumrole)

RCI-DS.001.0177.001

Cream Pudding

Cream Pudding

RCI-DS.001.0178.001

Creamy Apricot Rice Mold

Makes 8 servings

RCI-VG.004.0354.001

Creamy Cheesy Turnips

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Hakes Estate in Dallas, Texas in 1988.

RCI-SC.003.0054.001

Creamy Lime Chile Dressing

Creamy Lime Chile Dressing from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0179.002

Creamy Mascarpone Dessert

In Italy they will just mix creamy light cheeses like mascarpone with just a bare bit of sugar, egg yolk custard, sweet spices, citrus zest, and chocolate. If you have ever tried one of these cheese desserts, you'll know that they're very good.

RCI-DS.001.0179.001

Creamy Mascarpone Dessert

In Italy they will just mix creamy light cheeses like mascarpone with just a bare bit of sugar, egg yolk custard, sweet spices, citrus zest, and chocolate. If you have ever tried one of these cheese desserts, you'll know that they're very good.

RCI-DS.003.0116.001

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0217.001

Creamy Peanut Soup

Creamy Peanut Soup This can be either be made as a pureed soup variety to be creamy or left with chunks of vegetables as a stew.

RCI-DS.001.0180.001

Creamy Rice Pudding Cups

Makes 8 servings

Crème Anglaise
RCI-DS.001.0183.001

Crème Anglaise

frequently referred to by the generic term in English, is the most common and versatile dessert sauce, being used as an accompaniment, or as a base for additional treatment, in numerous desserts in the cuisines of countries throughout the world.

Crème Brûlée
RCI-DS.001.0184.001

Crème Brûlée

Crème brûlée

RCI-BR.004.0187.001

Creme Brulee Cheesecake

American cuisine | Vegetarian Cuisine | Holiday Recipes

RCI-DS.001.0185.001

Crème caramel

Crème caramel from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0186.001

Creme Caramela

Sudanese Caramel Custard which Yields 1-quart mold.

RCI-DS.001.0187.001

Creme de abacate

right|Avocado

RCI-BR.004.0188.001

Crème de Cacao Torte

Makes 1 torte, about 2 cups of filling and about 1 cup of glaze.

RCI-BR.004.0189.001

Crème de Riz Torte

Makes 8 servings

RCI-DS.001.0188.001

Crème pâtissière

– Yield: About 1 pint

RCI-DS.002.0057.001

Cremesicle ice

Cremesicle ice from the Recidemia collection