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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.002.0208.001

White Chocolate Toasted Almond Semifreddo

This is a type of mousse. Serves 6 to 8.

RCI-BR.001.0282.001

Whole Wheat Batter Bread

This recipe was developed especially for the Rotation Diet by one of Nashville's outstanding bakers and teachers of baking, Ms. Joyce Weingartner.

RCI-BR.008.0230.001

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes

Makes 12 x 4-inch pancakes

RCI-BR.001.0286.001

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls from the Recidemia collection

RCI-EG.002.0080.001

Whole Wheat French Toast

Whole Wheat French Toast from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0234.002

Whole Wheat Waffles

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the

RCI-BR.008.0234.001

Whole Wheat Waffles

Breakfast Recipes | Bread

RCI-BR.004.0557.001

Why Not Fruit Cocktail Cake

Why Not Fruit Cocktail Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.005.0178.001

Wicked Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup

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

RCI-BR.006.0374.001

Wild Blueberry Pie

Wild Blueberry Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0439.001

Wild Rice Muffins

From "Healthy Recipes For Diabetic Friends Y-Group" 12 muffins (1 per serving) Note: Wild rice adds crunchy texture and a nutritional boost to these hearty muffins.

RCI-BR.001.0288.001

Wild Sage Bread

A River of Recipes: Native American Recipes Using Commodity Foods by the USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-VG.001.0658.001

Wilted Spinach and Rice Salad

Makes 4 servings.

RCI-BR.005.0659.001

Wine Biscotti

Purchased from Bowers Estate in Fort Worth, Texas in 1994. Dated 1957. I made this one thinking it would be really good. I wasn’t impressed but my sister and my bowling team loved it.

RCI-BR.007.0131.001

Wine Doughnuts

In Romanian: Gogosi de vin

RCI-BV.003.0091.001

Wine Fondue

Wine Fondue from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0660.001

Witch Fingers!

This recipe was generously provided by Ricardo magazine.

RCI-BR.004.0558.001

Wonder Cake

Because of conventional meal times in Israel (main meal between 12:00 and 2:00 pm; supper at 7:00 pm), many Israelis have coffee or tea with cake between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.

RCI-BR.005.0661.001

Woodstock Brownies

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

RCI-MT.004.0843.001

Worc-Chicken in Mango Sauce

Worc-Chicken in Mango Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.002.0307.001

World Recipe Banana Fritters

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

RCI-BR.004.0559.001

World Recipe Cake

World Recipe Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0560.001

World Recipe Coffee Cake Recipe

A pot of coffee a good show or a great book and man this is life.

RCI-BR.001.0289.001

World Recipe French Bread

World Recipe French Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0350.001

World Recipe Icing

World Recipe Icing from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0303.001

Wurstsalat

Wurstsalat

RCI-DS.001.0601.001

Xi Mi Bai Guo Tang Sui

Sweet sago and ginkgo nuts soup

RCI-SC.007.0351.001

Xtreme Mango-Habanero Sauce

.

Yakisoba
RCI-ND.005.0179.001

Yakisoba

Yakisoba

RCI-BR.001.0290.001

Yeast Bread

A River of Recipes: Native American Recipes Using Commodity Foods by the USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-BR.001.0292.001

Yeasted Fancy Cakes

In Romanian: Fursecuri cu drojdie de bere

RCI-DS.004.0310.001

Yellow Melon Muscadel I

Melon salad

Yema
RCI-DS.003.0322.001

Yema

A filipino custard candy made from egg yolk and milk.

RCI-EG.003.0159.002

Yerushalmi Kugel

Yerushalmi kugel is named after the city of Jerusalem. Legend has it that it originated in Jerusalem with the followers of the Vilna Gaon in the 18th century.

RCI-BR.004.0562.001

Yogurt coffee cake

Yogurt coffee cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0378.001

Yokahula Mango Kuchen

.

RCI-BR.006.0379.001

Yucca Pie

Yucca Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0743.001

Yukkai Jang

Hot Chili Beef and Onion Soup. This chili-red soup is exceptionally hot. It is said that the time to serve it is in the hottest months, when the perspiration it induces has a cooling effect on the diner.

RCI-DS.001.0602.001

Yummy Chocolate Pudding

Yummy Chocolate Pudding from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.005.0095.001

Zacirka with Milk

Tiny dumplings. Pieces of specially prepared dough are boiled in water and then poured over with milk or garnished with salted pork fat.

RCI-SN.002.0314.001

Zagareliai

The main ingredients in Zagareliai are flour, eggs and sour cream.

RCI-SN.002.0317.001

Zalabiya -- Yemenite Chanuka Doughnuts

Zalabiya -- Yemenite Chanuka Doughnuts from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.004.0312.001

Zespri Gold Dream

Recipe reprinted with permission from Zespri kiwifruit

RCI-SC.003.0220.001

Zesty Citrus Vinaigrette

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * This recipe yields

RCI-VG.001.0669.001

Zippy Bean and Rice Salad

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-BR.004.0564.001

Zippy Mango Cheesecake

Zippy Mango Cheesecake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0444.001

Zucchini-Carrot Bread

Zucchini-Carrot Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.1562.001

Zucchini Casserole

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Mrs. Ronal

RCI-BR.005.0664.001

Zucchini Cookies

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Pryor estate in Grapevine, Texas in 1996.

RCI-PF.001.0032.001

Zucchini Relish I

Zucchini Relish I from the Recidemia collection