Skip to content

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.004.0232.001

Fruit Pecan Cake

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Howell Estate in Canton, Texas in 1981.

RCI-DS.004.0128.001

Fruit Salad II

Fruit Salad II from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0246.001

Fruit Salad with Belgian Endive

Fruit, fruit, fruit ! What can I say more about this fresh and healthy fruit salad a la belgian style ! Enjoy !

RCI-DS.001.0247.001

Fruit Smoothie No Bake Cheesecake

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 16 servings

RCI-BR.006.0136.001

Fruit Tart

Fruit Tart from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0137.001

Fruit Tarts

Fruit Tarts from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0248.001

Fruit Whip

Fruit Whip from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0153.001

Fudge à la Louise

Fudge à la Louise from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0297.001

Fudgey brownies

These are the fudgiest, most heart-stoppingly bad for you brownies that you will ever taste. And the best thing about them is that they're really basic and easily modifiable. You can add nuts, chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, frosting...

RCI-BR.006.0138.001

Fudgey Peanut Butter Chip Brownie Pie

Fudgey Peanut Butter Chip Brownie Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.004.0065.001

Ful-Sudani

Peanut macaroons. Dessert with white egg and vanilla flavour. You can prepare it in few minutes.

RCI-SN.002.0164.001

Funnel Cakes

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group * Makes about a

RCI-SN.003.0119.001

Gado-gado

Gado-gado is a vegetable salad with a peanut sauce dressing.

RCI-DS.001.0250.001

Gajar Ka Halwa

Gajar Ka Halwa

RCI-MT.001.0113.001

Galbi Gui

Galbi gui Grilled beef short rib

RCI-BR.004.0233.001

Gamatte Nido

Gamatte Nido from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.005.0026.001

Gan Shao Ming Yu Xia

Seafood in Tomato Chilli Sauce. Seafood dishes are best when prepared from fresh ingredients. Chinese restaurants often display live fish and other seafood in tanks outside, their shop fronts, so that diners can select the seafood for their meal.

RCI-SC.003.0077.001

Garlic and Dijon Salad Dressing

This is a fantastic-tasting and healthy salad dressing.

RCI-SC.003.0078.001

Garlic and Green Olive Salad Dressing

Skip the iceberg lettuce -- good on stronger-flavored greens.

RCI-SC.003.0080.001

Garlic and Tarragon Dressing

A simple salad dressing.

RCI-VG.004.0545.001

Garlic Eggplant

Garlic Eggplant from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0104.001

Garlic-Herb Pretzels

Garlic-Herb Pretzels from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0204.001

Garlic-onion dinner muffins

These are easy and tasty. I serve these muffins with my Vaca Frita #59433.

RCI-BR.004.0234.001

Gateaux jos louis (joe louis cakes)

Gateaux jos louis (joe louis cakes) from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0253.001

Gazpacho Salad Dressing

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * This recipe yields

RCI-DS.003.0155.001

Gemini Peanut Butter Cups

Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.

RCI-MT.004.0411.001

General Tsao's Chicken

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.005.0300.001

Genetta Cookies

Lemon cookies. Pretty, easy and very tasty. I have made them with adding lemon peel shredded very fine and the were also wonderful.

RCI-BR.008.0075.001

George Washington's Rice Waffles

Makes 8 servings.

RCI-BR.001.0106.001

Georgian Challah

Georgian Challah from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0107.001

Georgian Cheese Bread

Makes 12 to 16 servings.

RCI-BR.005.0301.001

German Chocolate Brownies

This recipe came from The Printey Estate sale. It was obtained it as part of the Family Collection from The Printey Estate in Forney, Texas in 2001.

RCI-BR.004.0236.001

German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake swept the country and is now considered a classic.

RCI-BR.004.0237.001

German Hazelnut Cake

German Hazelnut Cake from the Recidemia collection

German potato salad
RCI-VG.001.0258.001

German potato salad

German Potato Salad is usually served warm and is more sour than other potato salads.

RCI-BR.005.0306.001

Giant Oatmeal Cookies

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 15 cookies

RCI-BR.004.0242.001

Gilmindi

Pancakes from the province of Jizzax (Jizzakh)

RCI-DS.001.0254.001

Ginataang Mais

corn and sweet rice cooked with coconut milk.

RCI-BV.006.0013.001

Ginger Ale Punch

Purchased from the Reinhart Estate in Ida, Oklahoma in 1992. Date and source unknown. This is tried and true and very good. I serve it at bridal and baby showers.

RCI-BR.007.0059.001

Ginger and Cinnamon Roll-ups

Ginger and Cinnamon Roll-ups from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.001.0116.001

Ginger Beef

Ginger Beef from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0064.001

Ginger Beer

Ginger Beer is a traditional fermented drink that can be made as either a soft drink or an alcoholic drink. Make it in a carboy with more sugar or malt extract, and with longer fermentation time, for alcoholic ginger beer.

Gingerbread
RCI-BR.004.0243.002

Gingerbread

This recipe produces , not gingerbread cookies. Gingerbread is a type of spice cake. , a variation listed at the bottom, is partially oat-based.

RCI-BR.005.0307.001

Gingerbread Boys

Gingerbread Boys from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0207.001

Ginger Bread I

Ginger Bread I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0255.001

Ginger Dressing

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * This recipe yields

RCI-DS.004.0135.001

Gingered Rhubarb Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream

Gingered Rhubarb Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream from the Recidemia collection

Gingered Sugar Cookies
RCI-BR.005.0314.001

Gingered Sugar Cookies

Makes about 24 cookies This recipe and the others from my week o' cookies (Thick & Chewy Double-Chocolate Cookies, Chewy Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies, and Peanut Butter Cookies) are all from Baking Illustrated.

RCI-MT.001.0118.001

Ginger Garlic Beef

Ginger Garlic Beef from the Public Health Cookbook by the Seattle & King County Department of Public Health—original source of recipe, public domain government resource Serves: 4

RCI-MT.004.0421.001

Ginger Mint Chicken

mint is seldom used in cooking but more as a medicine for cold.