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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-VG.002.0018.001

Bolivian Potato Salad

Bolivian Potato Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0068.001

Bolo Polana

Cashew and potato cake

RCI-MT.001.0054.001

Bo Luc Lac

Bo Luc Lac is also known as Vietnamese Shaking Beef.

RCI-BR.008.0032.001

Bonelos Manglo

36 donuts. 25 minutes cooking time.

RCI-DS.001.0085.001

Boniatillo

Sweet potato paste.

RCI-EG.004.0007.001

Boozey Rich Eggnog

Boozey Rich Eggnog from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0046.001

Borsch

Beet soup Can be prepared in 40 minutes serves 4

RCI-BR.005.0078.001

Boston Cookies

Boston Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0079.001

Boterkoek

Butter cake. A rich full cake with a strong butter taste.

RCI-BR.007.0024.001

Boughasha I

"Cigar" pastries with walnut filling

RCI-RC.005.0015.001

Bouillie

Bouillie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.001.0011.001

Bourbon Sauce for Desserts

A yummy sauce that is great over desserts, ice cream or cake. The recipe comes from a garden club and was published in the paper.

RCI-DS.002.0026.001

Bouza bi Haleeb (Milk Ice Cream)

Bouza bi Haleeb (milk ice cream)

RCI-DS.001.0086.001

Boysenberry Curd

Makes about 1 pint boysenberry curd will keep up to 10 days in the refrigerator.

RCI-MT.004.0081.001

Brandied Chicken Breasts

Makes 2 servings.

RCI-BR.004.0071.001

Brandied Fruit Cakes

I take the whole amount of fruit (10 cups) and make a nice looking mixture. I don't necessarily use the amounts shown. If the candied fruit is on sale, i just use more of it than the raisins.

RCI-BV.005.0018.001

Brandy Flip

Brandy Flip from How to Mix Drinks by Jerry Thomas—original source of recipe, out of copyright Serves: 1

RCI-BR.004.0072.001

Brandy Tart

Brandy Tart from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0073.001

Brazilian Bolo Bedbado Drunken Cake

Brazilian Bolo Bedbado Drunken Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0016.001

Bread and Butter Pickles

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Marlboro C

RCI-BR.001.0033.001

Bread Machine English Muffins

Write a description of your recipe here. If you don't have one, you can delete this section. These freeze well and can be reheated in the microwave or toasted.

RCI-DS.001.0088.001

Bread Pudding

Source: The Art of Cooking for the Diabetic, revised edition by Mary Abbott Hess, R. D., M.S., and K

RCI-DS.001.0089.001

Bread Pudding and Custard

Bread Pudding and Custard from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0090.001

Breakfast Bread Pudding

Breakfast Bread Pudding from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.005.0017.001

Breakfast Porridge

Breakfast Porridge from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0102.001

Breakfast Puffs

Breakfast Puffs

RCI-BV.008.0009.001

Breakfast Tea

Breakfast Tea from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.004.0045.001

Breezy Fruit Cobbler

.

RCI-BR.006.0043.001

Bremer County Rhubarb Pizza

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.007.0025.001

Brick Layers with Almonds and Honey

brick layers with almonds and honey ( baklawa )

RCI-PF.001.0007.001

Brinjal Moju

Sri Lankan eggplant moju

RCI-BR.001.0034.001

Brioche Braid

Brioche braid Makes 1 loaf.

RCI-BR.003.0104.001

Brioches or Madeleines

In Romanian: Briosi sau madlene

RCI-BR.001.0035.001

Broa Doce

This Portuguese sweet bread Codfish cakes is a nuts recipe is totally different because contrary to the usual style of using canned chickpeas this starts off with dried chickpeas. They can be spiced with any combination of spices you enjoy.

RCI-SC.003.0028.001

Broccoli and Bacon Salad

Broccoli and Bacon Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0086.001

Broccoli Chicken over Rice

Makes 4 servings.

RCI-VG.001.0074.001

Broccoli Cole Slaw

BROCCOLI COLE SLAW

RCI-SC.003.0029.001

Broccoli-Raisin Salad

Raisins, Seedless by the US Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-VG.001.0075.001

Broccoli Salad II

Broccoli Salad II from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.002.0027.001

Broiled Plums with Mango Sorbet

Broiled Plums with Mango Sorbet from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0082.001

Bronx Brownies

Bronx Brownies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0036.001

Brötchen

Makes 12 rolls Brötchen

RCI-BR.001.0037.001

Brown Bread

Brown Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0083.001

Brownie Bites with Magic Frosting

Brownie Bites with Magic Frosting from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0084.001

Brownie Caramel Pecan Bars

Makes about 16 bars.

RCI-BR.006.0045.001

Brownie Pie à la Mode

Makes 8 to 10 servings and about 1½ cups sauce

RCI-BR.005.0087.001

Brownies (Gluten-Free)

Makes 16 Servings

RCI-BR.005.0089.001

Brownies I

Makes 16 brownies.

RCI-VG.002.0022.001

Brúnaðar Kartöflur - Caramelised Potatoes

Brúnaðar kartöflur - Caramelised potatoes Brúnaðar kartöflur

RCI-SP.005.0028.001

Bruneian Rendang

Bruneian Rendang from the Recidemia collection