All About Sugar

All About Sugar: Learn about the different sugar varieties and how to use them best when cooking or baking! From brown sugar to powdered sugar, decorative sugar, and more, I discuss all there is to know! Who knows, you might even discover some new kinds of sugar to try!

Different Types Of Sugar

When it comes to creating a delicious baked treat there is one common ingredient – sugar. The most common type of sugar used in baking is granulated sugar (aka white sugar).

While granulated sugar is the most common type of sugar it is not the only type. There are several types of sugar, and each serves a specific purpose. Ready to learn more about sugar? Keep on reading!

Jump to:

• Different Types Of Sugar
• 1. Granulated Sugar
• 2. Cane Sugar
• 3. Beet Sugar
• 4. Brown Sugar
• 5. Confectioners Sugar
• 6. Caster Sugar
• 7. Turbinado (aka Raw Sugar)
• 8. Decorator’s Sugar
• Choosing Your Best Option
• 🍰 Dessert Recipes To Try
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Comments & Reviews

1. Granulated Sugar

Granulated sugar goes by several popular names like white sugar, refined sugar, sucrose, and table sugar. In addition to its common names, it is commonly known that this type of sugar is made from sugar cane or sugar beets.

When it comes to cooking ingredients, granulated sugar is not only one of the most common but also the most versatile. While we typically think of it when it comes to baking it is also popularly used in cooking.

Granulated sugar dissolves quickly, making it a great choice for adding a bit of sweetness to marinades and dressings. It may even be used to help balance the flavor in recipes like tomato sauce or soup.

Just like all-purpose flour that can be used in almost any recipe, so can granulated sugar. Moreover, sugar is one of the few pantry items with an infinite shelf life. Therefore, you can always keep sugar in your kitchen without worrying that it will go bad.

2. Cane Sugar

As mentioned above, granulated sugar can be made from either sugar cane or beet cane. Many brands do not specify where the sugar comes from. Therefore, you may not know whether it is cane or beet sugar.

While many brands do not specify, you have probably seen others that specifically say “Cane Sugar” on the packaging. This can be seen on the granulated sugar packaging, brown sugar, and the other types listed below.

Cane sugar is made from the syrupy liquid that comes from the sugar cane plant when harvested. This liquid goes through a process that includes boiling down the liquid to get sugar crystals. Then, depending on what type of sugar is being made (unrefined, raw, refined) it may go through further processing.

Most people do not worry about whether sugar comes from sugar cane or sugar beets. However, part of the manufacturing process for sugar cane to achieve its pure white color is to go through a charcoal filter. This filter is often made from animal bones; therefore, some vegans prefer not to use cane sugar.

3. Beet Sugar

Alongside cane sugar is beet sugar. Beet sugar is made from a plant called a sugar beet.

Sugar beets produce the same type of sucralose that sugar cane does. Therefore, once they go through the manufacturing process, the result is an identical flavor and texture.

The main difference between cane sugar and beet sugar is that beet sugar does not have to go through the final charcoal filter process that cane sugar does. Sugar beets naturally produce white granulated sugar. Therefore, this is a preferred sugar option for many vegans.

Again, most brands do not specify whether sugar cane or sugar beets are used. Sometimes it is even a blend of the two. Therefore, if you have a preference, make sure to look for labels that specify either beet sugar or cane sugar.

4. Brown Sugar

When it comes to the next most popular sugar, it is a toss-up between brown sugar and confectioners’ sugar. However, we will first explore brown sugar since it is the second most common in baking and cooking.

There are two ways that brown sugar is made. First, it occurs when the sugar cane is less processed, resulting in some of the natural molasses left in. Second, molasses is added to granulated sugar to make rich dark brown sugar. Typically, this second method is how the brown sugar you buy at the grocery store is made.

While there are different levels of brown sugar (light, medium, dark) overall, brown sugar has a richer flavor (and color) than granulated sugar. These notes of caramel add a lovely rich flavor to baked goods. In addition, brown sugar is also commonly used to add more depth and flavor to glazes or marinades.

Even though brown sugar comes from the same place as granulated sugar, adding molasses changes this sweetener's overall properties. Therefore, while granulated sugar can stay on the shelf for years without much change, brown sugar will eventually harden.

To avoid brown sugar drying out, it is important to keep it properly stored in an airtight container. It will maintain its freshness if properly stored for quite a long time.

Can Brown Sugar Be Used as a Substitute for White Sugar?

Since brown sugar is made from white sugar, it can be used as a substitute in many recipes. In fact, many bakers will swap white sugar for brown sugar to add some extra flavor to recipes.

While it can be used as a substitute, remember that the texture and consistency of brown sugar are different. Therefore, it may slightly shift the overall texture of baked goods. However, using brown sugar can be a wonderful alternative in many dishes.

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5. Confectioners Sugar

Like brown sugar, confectioners’ sugar also begins as granulated sugar. However, instead of adding an additional ingredient, this type of sugar is made by further processing it.

Essentially, confectioner’s sugar is just granulated sugar that has been finely ground. It is so fine that it creates a powder – hence the other name it is known by - powdered sugar.

Once it becomes a fine powder, it can easily clump. Therefore, powdered sugar is typically mixed with a small amount of cornstarch to help prevent clumping. The addition of cornstarch does not change the flavor. However, it drops the percentage of sucralose. While granulated sugar contains 99.5 percent sucralose, confectioners’ sugar is between 95-97 percent.

Unlike granulated sugar and brown sugar, commonly used in baking and cooking, powdered sugar is primarily used in baking. This is why it is also called confectioner’s sugar.

This finely powdered sugar is perfect for dusting on top of cakes, cookies, and candies. In addition, it dissolves extremely fast which is why it is ideal for making frosting.

6. Caster Sugar

When it comes to common types of sugars, caster sugar is not at the top of the list. While a pastry chef may be quite familiar with this type of sugar it is not one that most home chefs have heard of, but we are going to change that!

Like most other types of sugar, caster sugar also originates from sugar cane or beets. In addition, it is the way that it is milled that creates this specific type of sugar.

When you use granulated sugar, you can easily see the individual granules. On the other hand, confectioner’s sugar has been so finely milled that individual granules can no longer be seen. Caster sugar is somewhere in between these two.

Caster sugar is sometimes called baker’s sugar (it is also known as castor sugar). Therefore, you can guess that this fine granulated sugar is ideal for baking. Specifically, for desserts like crème brulee.

Since caster sugar is finer than granulated sugar, it melts even easier. Therefore, when used in delicate desserts like crème brulee it quickly dissolves to ensure there is not a grainy texture in the final dish.

7. Turbinado (aka Raw Sugar)

In recent years, people have become more focused on using all-natural ingredients. Therefore, the popularity of ingredients that have been minimally processed has been on the rise. Turbinado, also known as raw sugar, is one of those foods.

Turbinado originates from sugar cane (or beets) just like granulated sugar. However, it is minimally processed (even less than brown sugar). Therefore, the result is a sugar that is darker in color and with larger granules.

The best way to use turbinado is to add sweetness to hot drinks like coffee and tea. In addition, it could also be used in small quantities to add some sweetness to sauce or soup that is heated.

Without the use of direct heat to dissolve these larger sugar crystals, turbinado is not very useful. Therefore, you would not want to use this type of sugar in baking.

Mixing turbinado into a cake or cookie mix will likely result in a gritty texture. Moreover, the measurement will not be identical to a recipe that calls for granulated sugar because the sugar crystals are larger than granulated sugar.

Although turbinado is not ideal for replacing granulated sugar (or brown sugar) in recipes, it can be used for decorating. These large sugar crystals are a fun way to add texture and sweetness on top of cakes, cookies, and muffins. You can even change the color by mixing the turbinado with food coloring first.

8. Decorator’s Sugar

While we are discussing sugar as a decoration, let me introduce you to a less common type of sugar: decorator’s sugar. Decorator’s sugar encompasses several types of sugar that can be used for decorating your favorite desserts.

Most commonly made from sugar cane or beets, these different sugars are manufactured in different sizes and even colors. Here are three popular types of decorating sugar:

• Sanding Sugar
• Pearl Sugar
• Sugar Nibs

While these are not ideal for use in a recipe, they are a fun way to expand the way you decorate your sweet treats.

Choosing Your Best Option

Although granulated sugar is the common go-to in the kitchen, now you know it is not the only type of sugar. Therefore, you can add more flavor with a bit of brown sugar or explore the refined texture of caster sugar.

In the end, though, always keep some granulated sugar in your kitchen. Even if your recipe calls for a different type of sugar, you may be able to use granulated sugar as a substitute.

And since granulated sugar can last forever on the shelf, it will always be handy.

🍰 Dessert Recipes To Try

• Sweet Potato Coffee Cake - This extra moist coffee cake made with sweet potatoes is delicious at breakfast time, brunch, or as an after-dinner dessert!
• Key Lime Pie - This key lime pie is smooth, creamy, and full of the vibrant flavor of key limes.
• Sopapilla Cheesecake - All the flavor of cinnamon sugar sopapillas with a creamy cheesecake filling!
• Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies - Each chewy peanut butter cookie has a dollop of chocolate-hazelnut Nutella in the center.
• Rugelach - Buttery, flaky dough baked with a tasty brown sugar filling!
• Irish Potato Candy - These delectable coconut candies are coated in cinnamon to look like potatoes!

📖 Recipe Card