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-VG.005.0085.001

Jordan's Beet Cake

Jordan's Beet Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-PF.004.0009.001

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.

RCI-MT.002.0163.001

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.

RCI-BR.007.0071.001

Joulutortut

Joulutortut Christmas tarts

RCI-BV.007.0073.001

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.

RCI-SN.005.0034.001

Juicy Steamed Dumplings

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is

RCI-BR.005.0367.001

Jumbles

Jumbles from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0368.001

Jumbo Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Cookie

Jumbo Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Cookie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.004.0019.001

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".

RCI-BR.004.0295.001

Juz al-Hind Cake

Juz al-Hind Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0370.001

Kaak Leebi Hilw

Kaak Leebi Hilw from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0175.001

Kabab Sauce

This can be used as a marinade with any meat or fish dish

Kadhi
RCI-SP.005.0126.001

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.

RCI-BR.004.0296.001

Kage med Smørcrème

Kage med Smørcrème Butter cream cake Makes 1

RCI-BR.008.0103.001

Kaiser Schmarren

Kaiser Schmarren from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0104.002

Kaiserschmarrn

Austrian Cuisine

RCI-BR.008.0104.001

Kaiserschmarrn

Austrian Cuisine

RCI-BR.005.0372.001

Kalacha

Kalacha from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0136.001

Kalacs

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is

RCI-SP.001.0068.001

Kalbi Tang

300px| Kalbi Tang Rib soup. Preparation time: 40 minutes. This recipe is for 8 servings.

RCI-VG.001.0333.001

Kålsalat

Coleslaw - Serves 6 Coleslaw - Kålsalat

RCI-DS.003.0182.001

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.

RCI-VG.004.0733.001

Kanchkolar Dom

Kanchkolar Dom from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0137.001

Kanelbullar

Kanelbullar

RCI-VG.001.0334.001

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.

RCI-DS.003.0183.001

Kanya

Kanya

RCI-SN.005.0035.001

Kao Thom

Sweet sticky rice

RCI-VG.004.0735.001

Kapros Zoldbabfozelek

Green beans with dill

RCI-SP.003.0358.001

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.

RCI-SP.004.0186.001

Kapusta I

Hot cabbage soup From "Catsrecipes Y-Group" Source: my old recipes Serves 8

RCI-BR.001.0138.001

Kardemommeboller

Kardemommeboller Cardamon buns

RCI-VG.002.0070.001

Kartoffelsalat

Makes about 12 servings Kartoffelsalat

RCI-VG.002.0071.001

Kartoffelsalat I

German potato salad From "Catsrecipes Y-Group" Source: Biergarten, Germany, Epcot Center Makes 3 cups

RCI-VG.001.0337.001

Kartoffelsalat II

Serves 6 Kartoffelsalat II

RCI-SP.002.0121.001

Kasakeitto

Kasakeitto Vegetable Soup 6 Servings

RCI-DS.003.0186.001

Kashata na Nazi

Kashata na Nazi from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0104.001

Kashmiri Pulao

Ethnicity - Kashmiri, North Indian Type of meal - Party, Lunch, Dinner

RCI-ND.005.0065.001

Katsudon

Katsudon

RCI-SC.007.0178.001

Kenyan Tamarind Chutney

Kenyan Tamarind Chutney from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0139.001

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
RCI-VG.005.0090.001

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.

RCI-BR.004.0297.001

Kirsebærkage

Cherry cake Makes 1 Kirsebærkage

RCI-SN.005.0038.001

Knedle sa Sljivama

Potato dumplings with plums (Knedle sa sljivama) Potato dumplings with plums

RCI-BR.001.0140.001

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.

RCI-BR.007.0074.001

Koeksisters

Koeksisters from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.006.0018.001

Kombu Dipping Sauce

Kombu Dipping Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.001.0145.001

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.

RCI-MT.005.0149.001

Korean Hamburgers

This recipe is for 4 servings. Preparation: 17 minutes.

RCI-SC.003.0110.001

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.

RCI-BR.001.0141.001

Korvapuustit

Korvapuustit Finnish cinnamon rolls