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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-BV.004.0033.001

Batidos

Batidos from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.002.0039.001

Batter-fried Shrimp

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: The Fannie

RCI-DS.001.0062.001

Bavarian Rice Cloud with Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce

Makes 10 servings.

RCI-MT.004.0068.001

BBQ Chicken with Cabbage and Pear Slaw

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 4 servings.

RCI-RC.004.0033.001

BBQ Pork fried rice

Cuisine of China

RCI-MT.002.0047.001

BBQ sam-chang-bak

BBQ sam-chang-bak is a very simple barbecue seasoning recipe for pork meat.

RCI-BR.008.0019.001

Bbrown49's French Toast

Cook Time: 5 Minutes Serves: One

RCI-SC.006.0003.001

Bean and Chile Sauce

Bean and Chile Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0057.001

Bean Salad

Bean Salad

RCI-ND.005.0013.001

Bean Thread Noodles with Asian Eggplant

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RCI-DS.001.0064.001

Bebinca de Leite

Coconut pudding

RCI-BR.003.0068.001

Becky's Never Fail Biscuits

Becky's Never Fail Biscuits from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0033.001

Be Creative Hot Dog Relish

Be Creative Hot Dog Relish from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0036.001

Beef and Chiken Satay

South Eastern recipe using a flavorful seasoning and is usually served with a side of peanut sauce. Cucumber is usually served with this dish and can be dipped in the peanut sauce.

RCI-MT.001.0022.001

Beef Asian-style

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

RCI-SP.003.0074.001

Beer Soup

Beer Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0038.001

Beet Relish

right|Horseradish

RCI-BR.004.0050.001

Beetroot Cake

Beetroot Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0084.001

Beets à l'Orange

Beets à l'Orange from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0075.001

Belarusian Milk Soup

Belarusian Milk Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0072.001

Belgian Loaf

A pleasure to eat and make type of small bread. It has a sweet long lasting taste and you might want to add a small layer of Honey on top. Try it with tea or milk !

RCI-BR.001.0023.001

Belgian Pretzels

Enjoy this Belgian Pretzels recipe, easy to make and fast to bake!

RCI-BR.004.0053.001

Belizean Carrot Cake

Belizean Carrot Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0054.001

Belizean Chocolate Cake

Belizean Chocolate Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0067.001

Belizean Meringue

Belizean Meringue from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.001.0006.001

Bell Pepper Corn Relish

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-BR.001.0024.001

Bellyful

Bellyful from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.002.0019.001

Ben & Jerry's Dastardly Mash Ice Cream

Contributed by Lilly at Catsrecipes Y-Group * 1 Quart

RCI-DS.003.0016.001

Benne Brittle

Benne seeds (sesame seeds) cannot be procured in many places, but the candy made with it is delicious and very characteristic of Charleston.

RCI-BR.004.0056.001

Berry Chocolate Shortcake

Berry Chocolate Shortcake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0038.001

Berry Dessert Nachos

Berry Dessert Nachos from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0039.001

Berry Dessert Nachos I

* Source: Diabetic Living Diet * Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 8 minutes | Total Time: 23 minut

RCI-BR.003.0074.001

Berry Lemon Scones

These scones are really good, they are like biscuits, and they go great with butter on them. They are a cinch to bake and make.

RCI-BR.005.0053.001

Berry Shortbread Dreams

These cookies look so pretty on a tray either all made with the same flavor of jam or with an assortment of jams.

RCI-DS.003.0019.001

Besan kay Ladoo

Besan kay Ladoo from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0075.001

Best Banana Bread

A standard recipe requiring leavening can be made egg-free by increasing the required amount of baking powder by 1 tsp for each egg omitted. Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group Yield 1 loaf.

RCI-BR.006.0038.001

Best Cherry Pie

Canned Cherries by the US Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 8

RCI-BR.005.0055.001

Best-ever Pecan Brownies

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.005.0056.001

Best-ever Skippy Peanut Butter Cookies

Rich, chunky, nutty, chocolaty. Need I say more?

RCI-DS.001.0070.001

Best Flan Ever

This is the best flan you will ever taste. The cream cheese takes away the "egginess" that most flan's have. The water bath ensures that the custard does not burn and that the carmel turns into a wonderful sauce. I LOVE FLAN! FLANY FLANY FLAN!!!!

RCI-BR.005.0058.001

Best Nut Cookies

Best Nut Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0059.001

Best of the West Cookies

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group * Makes 4 dozen

RCI-BV.007.0030.001

Best Strawberry Banana Smoothie

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RCI-BR.005.0060.001

Bethlehem Mud

Bethlehem Mud from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0090.001

Bhuna Niramish

Bhuna Niramish from the Recidemia collection

Bicol Express
RCI-SP.004.0036.001

Bicol Express

Bicol Express Bicol is always associated with spicy food. The thought of Bicol would send a person's imagination of images and scents of sili (chili pepper) and coconut milk. It holds a special place in the hearts of food-loving Filipinos.

RCI-DS.001.0071.001

Bienmesabe

This popular and tasty dessert makes 10 portions.

RCI-BR.003.0077.001

BillK's Banana Bread

by user -- BillK (talk) Cook Time: 40 minutes

RCI-BR.008.0025.001

BillK's Beer Pancakes

Contributed by user -- <font color="Blue">BillK</font> (<font color="Blue" size="1">talk</font>) * C

RCI-BR.005.0064.001

Billy Goat Whiskers

Billy Goat Whiskers from the Recidemia collection