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Savory Experiments

  • Recipe Index
  • Cooking Method
    • Air Fryer
    • Baking
    • BBQ
    • Casserole
    • Cast Iron
    • Freezer Friendly
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Kid-Friendly
    • No-Bake
    • No-Cook
    • One-Dish
    • Slow Cooker
    • Under 30 Minutes
  • Cuisine
    • Asian
    • Creole
    • French
    • German
    • Indian
    • International Cuisine
    • Irish
    • Italian
    • Mediterranean
    • Mexican
    • Middle Eastern
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    • Spanish
    • Thai
  • Holiday
    • Christmas
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  • Order My Book!

Savory Experiments

Sugar

Sugar is most commonly used to define an ingredient used in cooking and baking as a sweetener, a soluble carbohydrate called sucrose. But there are many different kinds.

bowl of sugar

Types of Sugar

White Sugar– The most common form of sugar is white sugar or granulated sugar.

Decorating Sugar– Also known as coarse grain or pearl sugar, this is the sanding sugar you think of as sprinkles and commonly tinted fun colors.

Caster Sugar– Labeled caster in Europe, caster sugar in the US is usually called superfine sugar and is white sugar that has a texture somewhere between granulated sugar and powdered sugar. To make your own, place granulated in a food processor and give it a few whirls.

Powdered Sugar– Powdered sugar is ground using a machine to a super fine and silky powder. Used in frostings and other desserts that don’t want texture or grit. It is also called confectioner’s sugar.

Turbinado Sugar– Turbinado sugar comes from the first pressing of raw sugar cane, extracting some of the juice. This is why it really isn’t raw, but still minimally processed. It retains some of the original molasses from the sugarcane and has a subtle caramel flavor and the signature camel colored hue.

Demerara Sugar- Type of raw cane sugar with a large grain, crunchy texture, and pale brown color, but not sticky like brown sugar and less coarse than turbinado.

Brown Sugar– Both light and dark brown sugar are granulated sugars with add molasses. They are wet and sandy.

Molasses, honey, agave, corn syrup and maple syrups are all thought to be liquid sugars as they are also sweeteners.

What does Sugar Do?

The purpose of sugar is to provide sweetness in baked goods, foods and beverages, but also assist chemical reactions that occur during cooking and baking like the Maillard reaction or the blooming of yeast.

It helps to brown foods by caramelizing. Heat breaks down the sugars so they melt and meld, creating a golden color and nutty flavor. This develops layers of flavor sophistication.

Sugar is also hydroscopic (attracts moisture) so it helps to keep baked goods soft.

Storage & Shelf Life

Since sugar attracts moisture, even just from the air like humidity, it is important to keep it in an airtight container in a cool and dry place. If you use an old-school cannister, make sure there is a plastic rim to prevent moisture from leaking in.
If it does get wet, it will clump and take on other flavors, all of which is impossible to reverse.

Sugar does not support microbial growth and therefore has an indefinite shelf life if kept dry.

There are so many recipes with sugar in them that we can’t even list them all! Just scroll on down and see them all!
            caramelized onions on a spoon

How to Caramelize Onions

Dips, Dressings, + Sauces
            close up of spicy green beans on a white platter

PF Chang’s Spicy Green Beans

Side Dishes
            overhead of edible cookie dough

Single Serve Edible Cookie Dough

Edible Cookie Doughs
            bite taken out of a fudgy brownie

Homemade Brownies

Brownies + Bars
            stack of nutella pancakes with strawberries

Nutella Pancakes

Breakfast
            frosted king cake cookies on a wire rack

King Cake Cookies

Cookies
            stack of lemon cheesecake bars

Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Brownies + Bars
           

Brownie Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

Cakes + Cupcakes
            Christmas tree meringues on a platter

Meringue Christmas Trees

Candy
           

Frosted Sugar Cookies

Cookies
            stack of snickerdoodle bars on a cooling rack

Snickerdoodle Bars

Brownies + Bars
           

Pumpkin Butter

Dips, Dressings, + Sauces
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Jessica is an author, blog coach, photographer, recipe creator and spokesperson, TV personality, globetrotter and contributor to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, Mashed and The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more! Let her help you create restaurant quality family meals using the four S's.
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