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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.004.0271.001

Homemade Cake Mix

This wonderful mix can be substituted for any purchased cake mix. Unlike other homemade cake mix recipes, this one has less fat, so it can be substituted for the purchased cake mix recipes, which often add oil or butter.

RCI-DS.005.0021.001

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling from the Recidemia collection

RCI-PF.001.0016.001

Homemade Corn Relish

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Barger Estate in Mckinney, Texas in 1997.

RCI-SN.004.0083.001

Homemade Cracker Jacks

* Yield: 40 oz

RCI-DS.001.0277.001

Homemade Instant Pudding Mixes

These are homemade replacements for the instant pudding mixes found in a number of North American recipes.

RCI-BR.006.0155.001

Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie

Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.002.0042.001

Homemade Louisiana Kahlua

Homemade Louisiana Kahlua

RCI-BR.003.0231.001

Hominy Bread

Hominy Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.004.0145.001

Honduran Baked Bananas

Honduran "Glory" Bananas

RCI-SN.002.0177.001

Honduran Buñuelos

Honduran Buñuelos from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0157.001

Honduran Mango Chutney

Honduran Mango Chutney from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0272.001

Honey Cake I

Calories per serving (½4 of recipe): 93 calories note: the honey cake has 1 tsp of Sugar per serving.

RCI-BR.006.0158.001

Honey Rhubarb Pie

Honey Rhubarb Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0126.001

Hops Bread

Hops Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.009.0039.001

Horchata

– Mexican almond rice-water beverage

RCI-SC.002.0021.001

Horseradish and Sour Cream Sauce

In Romanian: Sos de hrean si smantana

RCI-SC.003.0101.001

Hot Bacon Dressing

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * This recipe yields

RCI-VG.002.0061.001

Hot Bacon Potato Salad

Hot Bacon Potato Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0308.001

Hot Cabbage Slaw

Contributed by Sylvia at World Recipes Y-Group * Sour

RCI-BV.008.0039.001

Hot Cocoa

Milk, Nonfat, Dry Non-Instant by the US Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 6

RCI-BV.008.0040.001

Hot Cranberry Punch

Source: "Cooking Light, Nov/Dec 1994, page 145" Copyright: "© Cooking Light" * Serving Size: 1 cup Y

RCI-VG.002.0062.001

Hot Dutch Potato Salad

A potato salad that is eaten warm. You can add some meat like chicken, bacon or ham if you like a little more taste.

RCI-SC.007.0165.001

Hot Fudge

The sort of hot fudge appropriate for putting on ice cream sundaes.

RCI-BR.004.0274.001

Hot milk cake

Hot milk cake is a traditional two-layer cake, possibly from the Mid-Atlantic States. It can be frosted with mocha icing. Hot milk cake can be fabulous, but the recipe is not for the timid.

RCI-ND.005.0060.001

Hot 'n' Hurried Stir-fry

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Weight Watchers Sh

RCI-BR.005.0360.001

Hot 'n' Nutty Cookies

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 2 dozen cook

RCI-DS.005.0023.001

Hot Pepper Jelly

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Recipes an

RCI-VG.004.0674.001

Hot Pineapple Side Dish

Hot Pineapple Side Dish

RCI-SC.007.0169.001

Hot Spiced Blueberry Sauce

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the McLean Estate in Irving, Texas in 1982.

RCI-SC.003.0104.001

Houston's Buttermilk Garlic Dressing

Houston’s is known for their high quality, and service that is par to none. They serve a delicious salad, and here is one of our most requested recipes.

RCI-BR.004.0275.001

How to Bake a Daffodil Cake

How to Bake a Daffodil Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.007.0068.001

Hrstule

Hrstule Makes 1 batch

RCI-MT.004.0486.001

Hsuyn Gi

Smoked chicken

RCI-BR.004.0276.001

Huckleberry Coffeecake

Purchased from Tibbenham Estate in Anna, Texas in 1997. This one is marked as a family favorite. The notation on the ledger indicates this came from an old Metropolitan Cookbook in the 1940s.

RCI-SP.005.0116.001

Huiy Barhi Riha

Maldivian spicy eggplant

RCI-ND.005.0061.001

Hunan-style Orange "Beef" and Asparagus Stir-fry

Hunan-style Orange "Beef" and Asparagus Stir-fry from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.008.0042.001

Hungarian Caffe

Hungarian Caffe from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0309.001

Hungarian-style Tomato Salad

Hungarian-style Tomato Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.002.0104.001

Ice cream

Ice cream is a rich-tasting frozen dessert, with many flavorings. Jefferson brought thi

RCI-BR.004.0278.001

Iced Chocolate Cupcakes

Iced Chocolate Cupcakes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.002.0044.001

Iced Coffee Polish-style

Iced Coffee Polish-style

RCI-SP.006.0038.001

Iced Korean Cucumber Soup

This delectable dish is the perfect antidote for heatstroke. In Korea, the summer heat soars way above 100 degrees. Consequently, this tart, ice cold and uncooked soup became an extremely popular dish at my mother's parties.

RCI-BR.008.0093.001

Icelandic Crêpes

Some traditional Icelandic desserts can be difficult to make in America because they require ingredients not easily available. But here´s one recipe that is very popular and very traditional and very easy.

RCI-BR.002.0050.001

Icelandic Snowflake Breads (laufabraud)

Icelandic Snowflake Breads (laufabraud) Laufabraud

RCI-SC.002.0023.001

Icy Strawberries and Melon

Yield: 8 serving

RCI-VG.005.0078.001

Imam Baildi

Imam Baildi is also known as stuffed eggplant.

RCI-VG.005.0079.001

Imam Baildi I

Baked eggplants with tomatoes, onions and garlic Imam Baildi

RCI-BV.008.0043.001

Imbuljuta

Serves 4.

RCI-BR.004.0280.001

Impossibly Easy Mocha Fudge Cheesecake

Impossibly Easy Mocha Fudge Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection

Inarizushi
RCI-RC.003.0006.001

Inarizushi

Inari-zushi: rice stuffed in fried tofu (abura a-ge) All sushi has rice in it, but not all sushi uses nori as a wrapper.