
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)
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.
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling from the Recidemia collection
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.
Homemade Cracker Jacks
* Yield: 40 oz
Homemade Instant Pudding Mixes
These are homemade replacements for the instant pudding mixes found in a number of North American recipes.
Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie
Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie from the Recidemia collection
Homemade Louisiana Kahlua
Homemade Louisiana Kahlua
Hominy Bread
Hominy Bread from the Recidemia collection
Honduran Baked Bananas
Honduran "Glory" Bananas
Honduran Buñuelos
Honduran Buñuelos from the Recidemia collection
Honduran Mango Chutney
Honduran Mango Chutney from the Recidemia collection
Honey Cake I
Calories per serving (½4 of recipe): 93 calories note: the honey cake has 1 tsp of Sugar per serving.
Honey Rhubarb Pie
Honey Rhubarb Pie from the Recidemia collection
Hops Bread
Hops Bread from the Recidemia collection
Horchata
– Mexican almond rice-water beverage
Horseradish and Sour Cream Sauce
In Romanian: Sos de hrean si smantana
Hot Bacon Dressing
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * This recipe yields
Hot Bacon Potato Salad
Hot Bacon Potato Salad from the Recidemia collection
Hot Cabbage Slaw
Contributed by Sylvia at World Recipes Y-Group * Sour
Hot Cocoa
Milk, Nonfat, Dry Non-Instant by the US Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 6
Hot Cranberry Punch
Source: "Cooking Light, Nov/Dec 1994, page 145" Copyright: "© Cooking Light" * Serving Size: 1 cup Y
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.
Hot Fudge
The sort of hot fudge appropriate for putting on ice cream sundaes.
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.
Hot 'n' Hurried Stir-fry
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Weight Watchers Sh
Hot 'n' Nutty Cookies
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 2 dozen cook
Hot Pepper Jelly
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Recipes an
Hot Pineapple Side Dish
Hot Pineapple Side Dish
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.
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.
How to Bake a Daffodil Cake
How to Bake a Daffodil Cake from the Recidemia collection
Hrstule
Hrstule Makes 1 batch
Hsuyn Gi
Smoked chicken
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.
Huiy Barhi Riha
Maldivian spicy eggplant
Hunan-style Orange "Beef" and Asparagus Stir-fry
Hunan-style Orange "Beef" and Asparagus Stir-fry from the Recidemia collection
Hungarian Caffe
Hungarian Caffe from the Recidemia collection
Hungarian-style Tomato Salad
Hungarian-style Tomato Salad from the Recidemia collection
Ice cream
Ice cream is a rich-tasting frozen dessert, with many flavorings. Jefferson brought thi
Iced Chocolate Cupcakes
Iced Chocolate Cupcakes from the Recidemia collection
Iced Coffee Polish-style
Iced Coffee Polish-style
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.
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.
Icelandic Snowflake Breads (laufabraud)
Icelandic Snowflake Breads (laufabraud) Laufabraud
Icy Strawberries and Melon
Yield: 8 serving
Imam Baildi
Imam Baildi is also known as stuffed eggplant.
Imam Baildi I
Baked eggplants with tomatoes, onions and garlic Imam Baildi
Imbuljuta
Serves 4.
Impossibly Easy Mocha Fudge Cheesecake
Impossibly Easy Mocha Fudge Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection

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.