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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-DS.001.0442.001

Queijadinha

right|Queijadinha

RCI-BR.008.0173.001

Quesadilla Salvadorena

Quesadilla Salvadorena from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0279.001

Quetscheflued

Plum tart

RCI-SP.002.0175.001

Quibebe

Winter Squash Soup

RCI-BR.006.0280.001

Quick and Easy Chocolate Cheesecake Pie

Quick and Easy Chocolate Cheesecake Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0341.001

Quick and Easy Gluten-free Muffins

right|350px|Quick and easy muffins Quite awhile ago, someone was looking for gluten-free recipes.

RCI-DS.001.0443.001

Quick and Easy Rice Pudding

Makes 6 servings

RCI-SN.001.0306.001

Quick and Healthy Chocolate Dip

Quick and Healthy Chocolate Dip from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0281.001

Quick and Snappy Pineapple-Cheese Pie

One more recipe for a cool dessert using graham cracker pie crust. "Refrigerator pies" are so nice to make in the summer when it's too hot to cook and too hot to eat anything hot!

RCI-DS.004.0223.001

Quick Apple Dessert

Quick Apple Dessert from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.003.0263.001

Quick Fudge Icing or Candy

Betty Crocker's Cook Book for Boys and girls, out of copyright

RCI-VG.005.0178.001

Quick Kimchee

This quick, spicy, tangy cabbage side dish stands in for the traditional salty Korean staple. Unlike fermented kimchi, this quick variation is best eaten shortly after preparing and does not keep its crunchy texture when stored.

RCI-BR.006.0282.001

Quick Peach Cobber

Quick Peach Cobber from the Recidemia collection

Quindão de Yayá
RCI-DS.001.0447.001

Quindão de Yayá

right|Quindão de Yayá

RCI-DS.001.0448.001

Quindins de Iaiá

right|Quindins de Iaiá

RCI-SP.003.0548.001

Rabarbaragrautur

Stewed rhubarb. Rhubarb grows in almost every vegetable garden in Iceland, right alongside the potatoes. In the summer, it is mostly used for soup and "grautur" (thick stew).

RCI-BR.008.0175.001

Raised Pancakes

Raised Pancakes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0215.001

Raised Potato Doughnuts

Raised Potato Doughnuts from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0346.001

Raisin bran muffins

Raisin bran muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0216.001

Raisin Bread

Raisin Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0519.001

Raisin breakfast bars

Raisin breakfast bars from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0475.001

Raisin Cheese Slaw

Fruit and Vegetable Recipes I by the south Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Yields about 4 cups.

RCI-BR.006.0284.001

Raisin Crumb Pie

Raisin Crumb Pie - makes two pies.

Raisin Oatmeal Muffins
RCI-BR.003.0347.001

Raisin Oatmeal Muffins

|after flipping These muffins make a good breakfast for a family. They go well with milk.

RCI-BR.006.0286.001

Raisin Rice Cereal

Makes 8 servings

RCI-BR.007.0106.001

Raisin Rolled Strudel

Raisin Rolled Strudel from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0287.001

Raisin Tart with Sour-Cream Sauce

Raisin Tart with Sour-Cream Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.1098.001

Rajma Sundal

Rajma Sundal

RCI-SC.003.0160.001

Ranch Dressing

Makes 3 1/2 cups, takes 15 minutes to prepare. This is a great dressing to use for, just not salads, but for sandwiches and as a dip with crudités.

RCI-SC.003.0163.001

Ranch-style Dressing and Dip Mix

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-VG.001.0476.001

Rasmussen Cucumber Salad

Rasmussen Cucumber Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0436.001

Raspberry Angel Food Cake

Raspberry Angel Food Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0255.001

Raspberry Butter

Raspberry Butter from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0451.001

Raspberry Curd

Raspberry curd will keep up to 10 days in the refrigerator. Makes about 1 pint. Sweet and Tasty.

RCI-BR.005.0521.001

Raspberry Filled Almond Shortbread with Almond Glaze

"Originally in Taste of Home". These cookies are very delicious. They are great with a cup of tea. I hope you will try and enjoy them as we do.

RCI-DS.001.0452.001

Raspberry Pudding with Cream

Yield: serves 4 to 6

RCI-BR.004.0437.001

Raspberry Ribbon Cheesecake

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-DS.001.0454.001

Raspberry Rice De-lite

Makes 4 servings

RCI-DS.001.0456.001

Raspberry Rice Pudding

Makes 4 servings

RCI-DS.001.0457.001

Raspberry Rice Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Makes 4 servings

RCI-BR.004.0438.001

Ravanija

Ravanija from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0439.001

Ravishing Rhubarb Cake

Ravishing Rhubarb Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0440.001

Raw Rhubarb Cake

Raw Rhubarb Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.004.0229.001

Real Cajun Jambalaya

Real Cajun Jambalaya from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.002.0153.001

Real Mango Ice Cream

Real Mango Ice Cream from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0258.001

Real Red Velvet Cake Frosting

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-SC.007.0259.001

Recipe for Sweet Syrup

Recipe for Sweet Syrup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.002.0021.001

Red-Berry Breakfast Risotto

Makes 6 servings

RCI-VG.001.0477.001

Red Cabbage and Baby Spinach Salad

Original recipe Makes 4 servings

RCI-VG.001.0478.001

Red cabbage salad

This is a delicious, traditional Dutch Side Dish