
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)
Queijadinha
right|Queijadinha
Quesadilla Salvadorena
Quesadilla Salvadorena from the Recidemia collection
Quetscheflued
Plum tart
Quibebe
Winter Squash Soup
Quick and Easy Chocolate Cheesecake Pie
Quick and Easy Chocolate Cheesecake Pie from the Recidemia collection
Quick and Easy Gluten-free Muffins
right|350px|Quick and easy muffins Quite awhile ago, someone was looking for gluten-free recipes.
Quick and Easy Rice Pudding
Makes 6 servings
Quick and Healthy Chocolate Dip
Quick and Healthy Chocolate Dip from the Recidemia collection
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!
Quick Apple Dessert
Quick Apple Dessert from the Recidemia collection
Quick Fudge Icing or Candy
Betty Crocker's Cook Book for Boys and girls, out of copyright
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.
Quick Peach Cobber
Quick Peach Cobber from the Recidemia collection

Quindão de Yayá
right|Quindão de Yayá
Quindins de Iaiá
right|Quindins de Iaiá
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).
Raised Pancakes
Raised Pancakes from the Recidemia collection
Raised Potato Doughnuts
Raised Potato Doughnuts from the Recidemia collection
Raisin bran muffins
Raisin bran muffins from the Recidemia collection
Raisin Bread
Raisin Bread from the Recidemia collection
Raisin breakfast bars
Raisin breakfast bars from the Recidemia collection
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.
Raisin Crumb Pie
Raisin Crumb Pie - makes two pies.

Raisin Oatmeal Muffins
|after flipping These muffins make a good breakfast for a family. They go well with milk.
Raisin Rice Cereal
Makes 8 servings
Raisin Rolled Strudel
Raisin Rolled Strudel from the Recidemia collection
Raisin Tart with Sour-Cream Sauce
Raisin Tart with Sour-Cream Sauce from the Recidemia collection
Rajma Sundal
Rajma Sundal
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.
Ranch-style Dressing and Dip Mix
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
Rasmussen Cucumber Salad
Rasmussen Cucumber Salad from the Recidemia collection
Raspberry Angel Food Cake
Raspberry Angel Food Cake from the Recidemia collection
Raspberry Butter
Raspberry Butter from the Recidemia collection
Raspberry Curd
Raspberry curd will keep up to 10 days in the refrigerator. Makes about 1 pint. Sweet and Tasty.
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.
Raspberry Pudding with Cream
Yield: serves 4 to 6
Raspberry Ribbon Cheesecake
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
Raspberry Rice De-lite
Makes 4 servings
Raspberry Rice Pudding
Makes 4 servings
Raspberry Rice Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
Makes 4 servings
Ravanija
Ravanija from the Recidemia collection
Ravishing Rhubarb Cake
Ravishing Rhubarb Cake from the Recidemia collection
Raw Rhubarb Cake
Raw Rhubarb Cake from the Recidemia collection
Real Cajun Jambalaya
Real Cajun Jambalaya from the Recidemia collection
Real Mango Ice Cream
Real Mango Ice Cream from the Recidemia collection
Real Red Velvet Cake Frosting
Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group
Recipe for Sweet Syrup
Recipe for Sweet Syrup from the Recidemia collection
Red-Berry Breakfast Risotto
Makes 6 servings
Red Cabbage and Baby Spinach Salad
Original recipe Makes 4 servings
Red cabbage salad
This is a delicious, traditional Dutch Side Dish