
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)
Jordan's Beet Cake
Jordan's Beet Cake from the Recidemia collection
Joulukalja
Joulukalja Christmas Brew. This brew is similar to the Scandinavian glög, but is without alcohol (at least originally . . . ) This variation is called pikakalja, "quick brew" for our busy days.
Joulukinkku
Joulukinkku Christmas ham. Joulukinkku is the star of the Finnish Christmas meal. Its preparation is time consuming, but the results are well worth the trouble.
Joulutortut
Joulutortut Christmas tarts
Juice Alpokat
Indonesian avocado drink. I discovered this drink/dessert while traveling through Indonesia in 1998. It's more like a dessert, but is absolutely delicious in spite of how strange it sounds.
Juicy Steamed Dumplings
Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is
Jumbles
Jumbles from the Recidemia collection
Jumbo Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Cookie
Jumbo Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Cookie from the Recidemia collection
Jus de Bissap
Made from the dried red flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa, a kind of hibiscus plant, Jus de Bissap (Beesap) seems to be more of a tea than a "juice". It is often called the "national drink of Senegal".
Juz al-Hind Cake
Juz al-Hind Cake from the Recidemia collection
Kaak Leebi Hilw
Kaak Leebi Hilw from the Recidemia collection
Kabab Sauce
This can be used as a marinade with any meat or fish dish

Kadhi
also known as Karhi or Gujarati Kadhi is a sweet yogurt curry, normally eaten with unleavened flat bread called Roti and Sabzi in India.
Kage med Smørcrème
Kage med Smørcrème Butter cream cake Makes 1
Kaiser Schmarren
Kaiser Schmarren from the Recidemia collection
Kaiserschmarrn
Austrian Cuisine
Kaiserschmarrn
Austrian Cuisine
Kalacha
Kalacha from the Recidemia collection
Kalacs
Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is
Kalbi Tang
300px| Kalbi Tang Rib soup. Preparation time: 40 minutes. This recipe is for 8 servings.
Kålsalat
Coleslaw - Serves 6 Coleslaw - Kålsalat
Kamakäkid
No, these are not Greek meatballs waiting to be shallow-fried again, but sweet tidbits made with mascarpone and the ubiquous Estonian ingredient kama.
Kanchkolar Dom
Kanchkolar Dom from the Recidemia collection
Kanelbullar
Kanelbullar
Kangkong Salad
kangkong (Tagalog) is called in English, sometimes as swamp cabbage or water spinach although it's not really cabbage or spinach. It's sort of ubiquituous in the Philippines, it grows everywhere, in ditches, in ponds, on dry land, or in cultivation.
Kanya
Kanya
Kao Thom
Sweet sticky rice
Kapros Zoldbabfozelek
Green beans with dill
Kapunata
A Maltese version of Ratatouille made from tomatoes, capers, aubergines and green peppers which goes well with grilled fish. This is a summer dish and can be eaten hot or cold.
Kapusta I
Hot cabbage soup From "Catsrecipes Y-Group" Source: my old recipes Serves 8
Kardemommeboller
Kardemommeboller Cardamon buns
Kartoffelsalat
Makes about 12 servings Kartoffelsalat
Kartoffelsalat I
German potato salad From "Catsrecipes Y-Group" Source: Biergarten, Germany, Epcot Center Makes 3 cups
Kartoffelsalat II
Serves 6 Kartoffelsalat II
Kasakeitto
Kasakeitto Vegetable Soup 6 Servings
Kashata na Nazi
Kashata na Nazi from the Recidemia collection
Kashmiri Pulao
Ethnicity - Kashmiri, North Indian Type of meal - Party, Lunch, Dinner
Katsudon
Katsudon
Kenyan Tamarind Chutney
Kenyan Tamarind Chutney from the Recidemia collection
Kesra — Moroccan Bread
This are the instructions for using a mixer and dough hook to knead the dough. But you can adapt this easily to using a bread machine to do your kneading. I know — I used to use a bread machine to do most of my kneading. You can also hand knead.

Kimchi
(김치), also spelled or , is a Korean dish of pickled vegetables, usually napa cabbage Korean radish, and commonly served as a side dish. It is usually fermented in a brine of anchovy sauce, ginger, garlic, green onion and chilli pepper.
Kirsebærkage
Cherry cake Makes 1 Kirsebærkage
Knedle sa Sljivama
Potato dumplings with plums (Knedle sa sljivama) Potato dumplings with plums
Knot Shape Rolls
This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Cunningham Estate in Seven Points, Texas in 1999.
Koeksisters
Koeksisters from the Recidemia collection
Kombu Dipping Sauce
Kombu Dipping Sauce from the Recidemia collection
Korean Beef Kabobs
Using a good cut of meat is key, so it will be very tender. Use Beef tenderloin or sirloin (choice at the minimum). The longer you marinate the Beef the better the flavor (over night at a minimum). Cooking time does not include time to marinate.
Korean Hamburgers
This recipe is for 4 servings. Preparation: 17 minutes.
Korean-style Salad Dressing
Korean-style Salad Dressing Soy sauce, sesame oil and rice vinegar make the most wonderful salad dressing with a distinctly Asian flair. ), or any salad period. Particularly tasty on cooked asparagus and spinach too.
Korvapuustit
Korvapuustit Finnish cinnamon rolls