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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)

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Thanhat

Thanhat (Burmese cucumber salad) can last for about a week when kept in a fridge. It’s a great side dish as well as a “snack” for vegetarians.

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Thanksgiving Butterscotch Pie

Thanksgiving Butterscotch Pie from the Recidemia collection

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Thanksgiving Pie

A rich pie with pumpkin and pecans — I've been cooking this recipe for a few years, and my people love it. It combines the best of the flavors of pumpkin and pecan.

RCI-BR.003.0417.001

The Best Banana Bread

This is great the second day and freezes great, too. If you have enough bananas make two and freeze one.

RCI-BR.005.0622.001

The “Fingers of Cyprus”

The “Fingers of Cyprus” from the Recidemia collection

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Thick & Chewy Double-Chocolate Cookies

Makes about 42 cookies This recipe and the others from my week o' cookies (Gingered Sugar Cookies, Chewy Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies, and Peanut Butter Cookies) are all from Baking Illustrated.

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Thimbleberry jam

Thimbleberry jam

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Thit Bo Cuon La Luop

Vietnamese beef in grape leaves. When you go out camping you can cook them and serve them.

RCI-DS.002.0189.001

Thomas Jefferson's Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

In the 1780's Thomas Jefferson went to France and was introduced to ice cream. He wrote down the recipe to take home and enjoy his own homemade ice cream. Thomas Jefferson's guests quite often enjoyed a cool dish of this delicious homemade ice cream.

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Thousand Island Dressing

Thousand Island Dressing is a salad dressing commonly used with green salads. It can also be used as a sandwich spread, or many other uses.

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Three-bean Baked Beans

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2sam and Tiny at World Re

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Three Bean Salad

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Marlboro C

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Three Fruit Punch

Three Fruit Punch from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.004.0291.001

Three-melon Melange

Three-melon Melange from the Recidemia collection

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Tiakri

This is an Cameroonian snack similar to rice pudding.

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Tien Soan Yu

Sweet and sour fish.

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Tiger Lilly Rice Pudding

Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.

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Tiramisu by Criscodisco

If you haven't had it, tiramisu is a dreamy Italian desert, and is pretty easy to make, with my recipe.

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Tiramisu by Jerkstore77

Tiramisu by Jerkstore77 from the Recidemia collection

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Tirk Kreoung Pahok

Tirk Kreoung Pahok from the Recidemia collection

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Tirk umpel

Tirk umpel from the Recidemia collection

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Toasted Coconut Bars

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

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Toasted Pecan Dressing

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

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Toasted Ravioli Sauce

This is a dip we made for our toasted ravioli one night, inspired by the great dip by chef Miller. Use as a dip with toasted ravioli, French bread, or as a pasta sauce.

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Toaster Oven Cinnamon Toast

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at World Re

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Toaster-oven Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Contributed by Delma at Catsrecipes Y-Group

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Tocino del Cielo

Bacon from heaven.

Tod Mun
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Tod Mun

(Thai fish cakes) can be found sold on the streets of Thailand and are a popular snack. At home they are perfect for an appetizer. There are many different recipes. The most common variant uses both fish and shrimp; this is the basic fish recipe.

RCI-SN.002.0291.001

Tod Mun

(Thai fish cakes) can be found sold on the streets of Thailand and are a popular snack. At home they are perfect for an appetizer. There are many different recipes. The most common variant uses both fish and shrimp; this is the basic fish recipe.

RCI-VG.004.1435.001

Tofu and Mushroom Delight

Recipe from United Soybean Board

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Tohu Char Kreoung

Soy gluten rolls are very popular with Khmer Krom vegetarian cooking. Slices soy gluten roll stir-fry with spicy lemon grass is delicious.

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Tomatensalat

Tomatensalat Another of my Grandmother's recipes. According to her, she said this has been in her family for generations!

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Tomato-Cucumber Stack

I had never heard of this dish before tasting it last summer at my fiancee's house. Then, everywhere I went it began to pop up. Its simple, down-to-earth charm depends upon the freshness of the ingredients - I can't wait for tomato season to return!

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Tomato Pie I

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: My old rec

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Tomato Sauce by Jerkstore77

Tomato Sauce by Jerkstore77 from the Recidemia collection

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Tomato Soup with Bean Sprout

Tomato Soup with Bean Sprout from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0281.001

Tomato, Watermelon, and Basil Skewers

Tomato, Watermelon, and Basil Skewers is a nice way to start a meal in the hot seasons and looks great.

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Tom kha kai

(or tom kha gai) is a Thai soup with the distinct, very Thai flavor of galangal, a rhizome somewhat similar to ginger. means "galangal" in Thai. This version of the soup is made with chicken (kai or gai).

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Tommorrow's Doughnut

Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.

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Tom Yum Gai

4 servings.

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Tonkatsu

300px

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Tonkotsu Ramen

is ramen noodles served in rich and fatty pork broth usually garnished with a variation of toppings (most of the time pork cutlets, green onions, and hard-boiled eggs split in two). There are many variations to this recipe.

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Torta de Banana

right|Banana bunch

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Torta de Jojoto

8 Servings

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Torticas de Moron

Torticas de Moron from the Recidemia collection

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Tortilla Shrimp Salad

Tortilla Shrimp Salad

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Traditional Lasagne

Traditional Lasagne from the Recidemia collection

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Trampers Slice

Trampers Slice from the Recidemia collection

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Trees and Snow

Trees and Snow from the Recidemia collection

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Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches cake is a popular Latin American dessert using 3 types of milk. This simple recipe was found in a recipe book unfortunately the author is now unknown.