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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.005.0454.001

Oatmeal Cookies I

Oatmeal Cookies I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0455.001

Oatmeal Cookies II

Oatmeal Cookies II from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0457.001

Oatmeal-Lace Cookies

Oatmeal-Lace Cookies

RCI-BR.005.0458.001

Oatmeal Macaroons

The recipe makes about eighteen small cakes.

RCI-BR.005.0459.001

Oatmeal Pan Squares

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 30

RCI-BR.005.0463.001

Oatmeal-Rhubarb Bars

Oatmeal-Rhubarb Bars from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.005.0061.001

O Bee Muay / Black Rice Porridge

A most easy to make dessert enjoyed by most in the Far East from China to Indonesia.

RCI-BR.004.0377.001

Oblong Cake with Sour Cherries

In Romanian: Chec cu visine

RCI-BR.001.0178.001

Ocvirkovka

Crackling bread

RCI-VG.001.0419.001

Oh Ee Mu Chim

Cucumber salad Oh ee mu chim

RCI-DS.004.0195.001

Oh My Mango Cobbler

Oh My Mango Cobbler from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0136.001

Oisobagi Kimchi

Stuffed cucumber kimchi is one of those hot/cold dishes so welcomed on a sunny summer day. Countries with hot climates use chiles in abundance, and Korea is no exception.

RCI-SP.003.0465.001

Old Belarusian Kapusnik

Cabbage soup

RCI-DS.001.0378.001

Old-fashioned Baked Rice Pudding

Makes 6 servings

RCI-DS.001.0379.001

Old-fashioned Baked Rice Pudding I

Makes 6 servings

RCI-SP.004.0234.001

Old-fashioned Beef Stew I

A stew you will serve in soup bowls: dark-brown beef and vegetables in lots of rich gravy.

RCI-DS.001.0380.001

Old-fashioned Bread Pudding

Adapted from the 1956 Betty Crocker cookbook Serves 6.

RCI-BR.005.0465.001

Old-fashioned Butter Cookies

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

RCI-BR.005.0466.001

Old Fashioned Lemon Sugar Cookies

.

RCI-BR.006.0228.001

Old-fashioned Pecan Pie

Old-fashioned Pecan Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0381.001

Old Fashioned Rice Custard

Makes 4 servings

RCI-BR.005.0467.001

Old Fashion Tea Cakes

Old Fashion Tea Cakes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.002.0076.001

Olive and Rosemary Flat Bread

Makes two 8-inch diameter, 11-ounce loaves.

RCI-SP.001.0095.001

Ølsuppe

Beer Soup Serves 12 Ølsuppe

RCI-BR.004.0381.001

One-Step Pound cake

One-Step Pound cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0382.001

One-Step Pound Cake

This recipe taken from www.Portuguese-recipes.com

RCI-BR.002.0077.001

Onion-Fennel Flatbread

Fast-rising makes these moist, fragrant breads quick to prepare. Serve them warm, accompanied with butter or with olive oil for dipping. Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at World Recipes Y-Group Makes 4.

RCI-SC.005.0121.001

Onion Mango Chutney

Onion Mango Chutney from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.001.0042.001

Onion Sauce

Onion Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0426.001

Orange And Cabbage Salad

Orange And Cabbage Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0383.001

Orange and Rice Cream Mold

Makes 8 servings

RCI-MT.001.0180.001

Orange Beef

Orange Beef from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0138.001

Orange Cardamom Pancakes

American cuisine Breakfast Recipes Vegetarian Cuisine Bread

RCI-BR.004.0384.001

Orange-Chocolate Cheesecake

Submitted by GodsMullet I made this for dessert along with the golubki ( however, I figured that there would be a bunch of people who may enjoy this dessert that might get scared off by cabbage, so I'm putting this in its own thread.

RCI-BR.003.0302.001

Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins

Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0385.001

Orange Cloud Cake

Orange Cloud Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0468.001

Orange Cookies

Orange Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0384.001

Orange Cream

Makes 10 servings

RCI-DS.001.0385.001

Orange Custard

Orange Custard from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0139.001

Orange French Toast

puts a twist on cinnamon bread.

RCI-SN.004.0113.001

Orange-glazed Pecans

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Appetizers

RCI-DS.001.0386.001

Orange Jelly

Orange Jelly from Dainty Desserts for Dainty People by Knox Gelatine—original source of recipe, out of copyright

RCI-BV.007.0100.001

Orange Juice Smoothies

Orange Juice Smoothies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.007.0101.001

Orange Julius

Source: August 1979 issue of Weight Watchers Magazine

RCI-BR.004.0387.001

Orange Layer Cake

Orange Layer Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0387.001

Orange Mascarpone Bruleé

Mascarpone cheese is soft and semi-sweet, tasting like the fields of flowers and grass that the cow whose milk it came from ate.

RCI-MT.001.0183.001

ORANGE SESAME BEEF STIR FRY

ORANGE SESAME BEEF STIR FRY from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.004.0196.001

Oranges in Grand Marnier

Oranges in Grand Marnier from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.009.0057.001

Organic Lemonade

Organic Lemonade from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.005.0091.001

Oriental Beef Supper

Makes 6 servings