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.
Recipes Using sugar (2,656)
Date and Banana Mix
Date and Banana Mix from the Recidemia collection
Date and Banana Squares
This is a Chadian dessert. Many of the desserts in the cuisine of Chad are made from fresh fruits, dry fruits like peanuts, raisins, dates, pistachios etc.
Date bars
Date bars from the Recidemia collection
Date Chewsticks
I got this recipe from a lady who is now in her 90s and still going strong.
Date-filled Cookies
Date-filled Cookies from the Recidemia collection
Date-Nut Balls
My favorite Christmas Cookie. My aunt used to make them for me at Christmas.
Date Nut Bread Pressure Cooker-style
Contributed by [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PressureCookerRecipes/ PressureCookerRecipes Y-Group]
Date Nut Muffins
Purchased from the Van Sickle Estate in Mabank, Texas in 1990. Dated 1949.
Daube de Banane
Daube de Banane from the Recidemia collection
Dawet
Ddeokbokee
Rice cake in hot sauce Ddeokbokee (Rice cake in hot sauce)
Ddeok Gook (Korean New Year Rice Cake Soup)
This is a traditional Lunar New Year dish in Korea. I have seen many different recipes - the only really standard ingredient seems to be the rice cakes -- but I really liked the savoriness of this one.
Decadent Fat-free Chocolate Cake
Makes 16 servings
Deep Chocolate Vegan Cake
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Deep Fried Tofu
This is a crunchie, healthy, no meat appetizer. You can serve with the sauces I have posted or your favorite store bought!
Delicious Sweet Potato Pie
A yummy way to get vitamin A!
Delizia all'avocado
Crème brulée
Devil Curry
Devil Curry from the Recidemia collection
Dhokla
Dhokla is a Gujarati snack that is made with black gram. It is not to be confused with Khaman, a variant made from Besan (Chickpea flour). It is eaten as a side dish with the main meal and is usually tangy and slightly sweet in taste.
Diabetic-friendly Whipped Topping
Contributed by [http://Groups.Yahoo.Com/Group/World_Recipes/ World Recipes Y-Group]
Dill Cucumber Salad
Salads
Dilly Bread
From my Aunt Maggie’s Collection. This was marked as a family favorite. Dated 1944.
Dilly of a Rice Salad
Makes 6 servings.
Dolly Parton's Christmas Sugar Cookies
Makes 2 dozen cookies, depending on size.
Dolsot Bibim Bap
Rice in stone pot with assorted mixtures Dolsot Bibim Bap
Donna's Beer Muffins
Makes 9 large muffins
Double-berry Smoothie
Contributed by [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/catsrecipes/ Catsrecipes Y-Group] * Makes 2½ cups
Double-berry Yogurt Sherbet
Contributed by [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/catsrecipes/ Catsrecipes Y-Group] * Makes 12 servings
Double Chocolate Brownies
Double Chocolate Brownies This is a long awaited favorite from my good friend Charlene.
Double-chocolate Kiss Cookies
Makes about 3 dozen cookies
Double-chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Contributed by [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/catsrecipes/ Catsrecipes Y-Group] * Yield: 8 servings
Double-fudge Brownies
a real chocolate lover's dream. This is a versatile recipe - feel free to switch out the chocolate chips for flavored baking bits, such as Andes Candies pieces, or other flavored chocolate chips.
Double-quick Dinner Rolls
Double-quick Dinner Rolls from the Recidemia collection
Doubles
Cuisine | Caribbean cuisines | Cuisine of Trinidad and Tobago Serves 8
Doukissa
Chocolate flavoured biscuit cake
Dried Shrimp Chili Sauce
Dried Shrimp Chili Sauce from the Recidemia collection
Drop Fruit Cookies
Drop Fruit Cookies from the Recidemia collection
Dry Jerk Rub
Dry Jerk Rub
Dulce de Leche Soufflé
Dulce de Leche Soufflé from the Recidemia collection
Durian icecream
From Charmaine Solomon's Encyclopedia of Asian Food, Periplus Editions,1998 I'm always on the lookout for durian recipes and this is a good one.
Dutch Almond Bread
There are many Dutch pastries and desserts made with almond paste. It's popular and delicious. This is a wonderful sweet bread recipe. The prep time includes soaking the cereal. Makes one very large loaf, or two loaves.
Dutch Bloemen Sprits
Chocolate and cinnamon flowers Makes about 60 cookies
Dutch Bosbessen Brood
Dutch blueberry bread. A delicious way to use those summer Berries.
Dutch Rhubarb Pie
Dutch Rhubarb Pie from the Recidemia collection
Dyna-Mango Bread
EXPLOSIVE
Early American Graham Cracker Cake
Thanks to Dr. Sylvester Graham, you can bake this crunchy cake from crackers named after him. Graham, who lived in the early 1800s insisted that whole wheat flour was far more healthy then white flour. In those days, it was.
Easter Special Cake
Contributed by [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/world_recipes/ World Recipes Y-Group]
Easy Banana Cake
Easy Banana Cake from the Recidemia collection
Easy Batter Bread
This bread takes about three hours to make and about 1/2 hour of hands-on work. View in original format.
Easy No-knead Raisin Bread
This bread takes about three hours to make and about ½ hour of hands-on work.