
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)
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.
Thanksgiving Butterscotch Pie
Thanksgiving Butterscotch Pie from the Recidemia collection
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.
The Best Banana Bread
This is great the second day and freezes great, too. If you have enough bananas make two and freeze one.
The “Fingers of Cyprus”
The “Fingers of Cyprus” from the Recidemia collection
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.
Thimbleberry jam
Thimbleberry jam
Thit Bo Cuon La Luop
Vietnamese beef in grape leaves. When you go out camping you can cook them and serve them.
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.
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.
Three-bean Baked Beans
Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2sam and Tiny at World Re
Three Bean Salad
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Marlboro C
Three Fruit Punch
Three Fruit Punch from the Recidemia collection
Three-melon Melange
Three-melon Melange from the Recidemia collection
Tiakri
This is an Cameroonian snack similar to rice pudding.
Tien Soan Yu
Sweet and sour fish.
Tiger Lilly Rice Pudding
Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.
Tiramisu by Criscodisco
If you haven't had it, tiramisu is a dreamy Italian desert, and is pretty easy to make, with my recipe.
Tiramisu by Jerkstore77
Tiramisu by Jerkstore77 from the Recidemia collection
Tirk Kreoung Pahok
Tirk Kreoung Pahok from the Recidemia collection
Tirk umpel
Tirk umpel from the Recidemia collection
Toasted Coconut Bars
Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is
Toasted Pecan Dressing
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
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.
Toaster Oven Cinnamon Toast
Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at World Re
Toaster-oven Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Contributed by Delma at Catsrecipes Y-Group
Tocino del Cielo
Bacon from heaven.

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.
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.
Tofu and Mushroom Delight
Recipe from United Soybean Board
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.
Tomatensalat
Tomatensalat Another of my Grandmother's recipes. According to her, she said this has been in her family for generations!
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!
Tomato Pie I
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: My old rec
Tomato Sauce by Jerkstore77
Tomato Sauce by Jerkstore77 from the Recidemia collection
Tomato Soup with Bean Sprout
Tomato Soup with Bean Sprout from the Recidemia collection
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.
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).
Tommorrow's Doughnut
Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.
Tom Yum Gai
4 servings.
Tonkatsu
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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.
Torta de Banana
right|Banana bunch
Torta de Jojoto
8 Servings
Torticas de Moron
Torticas de Moron from the Recidemia collection
Tortilla Shrimp Salad
Tortilla Shrimp Salad
Traditional Lasagne
Traditional Lasagne from the Recidemia collection
Trampers Slice
Trampers Slice from the Recidemia collection
Trees and Snow
Trees and Snow from the Recidemia collection
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.