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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-MT.001.0301.001

Veal Scallopini

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-DS.001.0587.001

Vegan Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake

Vegan Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.002.0302.001

Vegan Corn Dogs

Vegan Corn Dogs Vegan corn dogs is a vegetarian food that can be served with mustard.

RCI-SP.003.0712.001

Vege Chili

I served over brown rice and provided bowls of hot sauce, fat-free sour cream, chopped jalapeno peppers, and chopped onions. I also had a loaf of wheat bread and several people ate their chili with that instead of the rice. Yum yum.

RCI-VG.004.1492.001

Vegetable Sauté Haitian-style

Vegetable Sauté Haitian-style from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0544.001

Vegetarian Cake

Vegetarian Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.001.0128.001

Veggie Cincinnati Chili with Beans, Spaghetti and Cheese

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group * Makes 8 servin

RCI-VG.001.0639.001

Veggie Salad

Contributed by Indiancuisineandculture Y-Gro

RCI-SW.002.0120.001

Veggie Sloppy Joes

Veggie Sloppy Joes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0588.001

Velvet Rice Pudding with Strawberry Sauce

Makes 8 servings.

RCI-BV.002.0090.001

Venom

Venom from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0651.001

Vera's Buttermilk Cookies

Vera's Buttermilk Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0427.001

Verwurrelt Gedanken

Verwurrelt Gedanken from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0652.001

Very Simple Cookies

Here are very simple and very delicious cookies!

RCI-RC.004.0320.001

Victory Rice Salad

Makes 8 servings

RCI-SC.003.0207.001

Vidalia Onion Dip

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-MT.005.0332.001

Vietnamese Beef Balls

Thit Bo Vien are Vietnamese Beef balls. They can be added to any noodle soup.

RCI-MT.001.0303.001

Vietnamese Bo Luc Lac Salad

Bo Luc Lac Salad is a Vietnamese salad, which can be served cool.

RCI-MT.005.0334.001

Vietnamese Meatballs

The egg rolls are tasty and also healthy and served with a good sauce, they are just great.

RCI-ND.005.0177.001

Vietnamese Noodle Salad

Vietnamese Noodle Salad can be served as a main meal, hot, or as a salad.

RCI-SC.003.0209.001

Vinaigrette Recipe

Vinaigrette Recipe from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0654.001

Vinarterta

Vinarterta Image:Vinarterta.gif

RCI-BR.004.0548.001

Wacky Buttermilk Cake

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.004.0549.001

Wacky cake

Wacky cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0550.001

Wacky Cupcakes

Wacky Cupcakes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.001.0202.001

Wagner Estate Grand Margarita

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Wagner Estate in Greenville, Texas in 1984.

RCI-SP.004.0327.001

Waldorf Astoria Stew in the Crock Pot

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Cunningham Estate in Seven Points, Texas in 1999.

RCI-VG.001.0645.001

Waldorf Salad

created by Oscar Tschirky in 1890 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, New York, in the United States of America.

RCI-SC.007.0343.001

Walnut Cranberry Relish

Makes 2¼ cups.

RCI-BR.004.0551.001

Walnut Orange Passover Sponge Cake

Walnut Orange Passover Sponge Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0729.001

Warm Beer Soup

A nourishing soup!

RCI-VG.001.0647.001

Warm Chicken Salad with Red Onions and Rice

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-SC.005.0188.001

Warm Double Strawberry Sauce

.

RCI-BV.009.0090.001

Watermelon Berry Sparkler Drink (Non-Alcoholic or Alcoholic)

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 16 glasses o

RCI-SN.003.0298.001

Watermelon Citrus Cooler

Watermelon Citrus Cooler from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.002.0202.001

Watermelon Lime Freeze

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 8 servings

RCI-VG.005.0283.001

Watermelon Rind Pickles

Fruit & Vegetable Recipes II by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-SC.005.0190.001

Watermelon Salsa

Watermelon Salsa a summer special with lots of colour and flavour.

RCI-DS.002.0204.001

Watermelon Sherbet

Fruit & Vegetable Recipes II by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-DS.002.0205.001

Weathers Family Vanilla Custard Peach Ice Cream

Weathers Family Vanilla Custard Peach Ice Cream from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0656.001

Weeping Salad

Great addition to your family gathering.

RCI-DS.004.0307.001

Weight Watchers Apple Cider Crisp

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * WW points: 4 * Ser

Welsh Cakes
RCI-BR.008.0225.001

Welsh Cakes

"Pice ar y maen" are slightly different from all other girdle (or griddle) cakes and scones because they are a little firmer, these are always known as 'Welsh cakes' whether they are served in Wales or anywhere else.

RCI-BR.008.0229.001

Wheat-free Rice Flour and Yogurt Pancakes

Recipe makes seven to eight pancakes, four to five inches in diameter.

RCI-BR.003.0430.001

Wheat Germ Cornmeal Muffins

Wheat Germ Cornmeal Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0595.001

Whipped Cream with Crumbed Toasts

nathanjohnson14:29, April 20, 2011 (UTC)216.48.248.230

RCI-EG.004.0071.001

Whiskey Rum Eggnog

Be sure to do things gently and slowly to preserve the eggnog's fluffiness.

RCI-BR.001.0281.001

White Bread

White bread is a staple in North American homes.

RCI-BR.004.0554.001

White Cake

White Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0556.001

White Chocolate Rapberry Swirl Cheesecake

White Chocolate Rapberry Swirl Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection