Is there a difference in the cookies' appearance and taste? We did a blind tasting to find out.
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Have you heard the news? Domino just launched a new, less-processed sugar called Golden Sugar. It retains some of the naturally-occurring molasses, giving it a golden color. Here’s why people are buzzing about it. I had the opportunity recently to tour the sugar cane fields where it’s grown and learn all about this new sugar—plus sample it in many sugar-infused desserts!
One of the first things I wanted to do when I got home was conduct a side-by-side test. Domino claims you can use it cup-for-cup in place of granulated sugar (you sure can). But since it has more molasses in it, would that make the cookies a tad darker and a bit sweeter? There was only one way to find out.
The Test
To test this out, I used this easy sugar cookie recipe, the perfect testing vehicle. Anything more flavorful and complex would mask any difference between the sugars.
Brianna Griepentrog/Taste of Home
The Appearance
While making the batter, I could detect a significant difference in color after creaming the butter and sugar. It was less noticeable in the final doughs.
After the first two batches finally came out of the oven, I was pleased to find there wasn’t much of a difference at all! The traditional sugar cookies were slightly brighter and contrasted more against the golden-brown edges. The Golden Sugar cookies’ color was more subdued. Some Taste of Home staffers initially thought the traditional sugar cookies were the Golden batch because they had a golden hue, but overall, they looked virtually identical.
The Taste
The cookies look the same, but do they taste the same? In one word: yes. Some Taste of Home editors thought the Golden cookies were softer and fluffier, while the traditional cookies were doughier. But everyone thought the cookies were equally delish.
So, when you give the new Domino Golden Sugar a try, rest assured it won’t affect the look or taste of your beloved cookie recipes. And since it can be used cup for cup in place of granulated sugar, you won’t need to alter any baking recipes, either. Thank goodness!
Editor’s note:Currently, Domino Golden Sugar is only available in grocery stores on the East Coast. But anyone can buy it on Amazon.
Make These Cookies with Golden Sugar
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Taste of Home
Amish Sugar Cookies
These easy-to-make, old-fashioned Amish sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! I've passed this recipe around to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won best of show. —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri
Go to Recipe
Vanilla-Butter Sugar CookiesThese butter sugar cookies are one of my favorite cookies to bake for Christmas. The dough recipe is versatile, so you can use it for other holidays, too. Children like to help with the cookie decorating. —Cynthia Ettel, Glencoe, Minnesota
Sugar CookiesThis sugar cookie dates back to a Swedish woman born in 1877! Her daughter, Esther Davis, shared the recipe with me and she came up with all the exact measurements, since the original cookies were mixed by feel and taste. These are my favorite cookies and I hope they'll become yours as well. —Helen Wallis, Vancouver, Washington
Nice 'n' Soft Sugar CookiesMy family’s all-time favorite Christmas cookie has had a million shapes over the years. Little ones have fun making their own icing designs. — Cathy Hall, Lyndhurst, Virginia
Cinnamon Sugar CookiesMy mom always had these cookies on hand. They're so good with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee or milk. —Leah Costigan, Otto, North Carolina
Angel Sugar CrispsWhenever I've taken this sugar crisp recipe to church coffees, I've had women come into the kitchen and request the recipe. You'll enjoy this sugar cookie's secret ingredient—brown sugar! —Annabel Cox, Olivet, South Dakota
Best-Ever Sugar CookiesWhat makes these cookies the best ever? A delicious cream cheese dough flavored with vanilla, almond and a hint of nutmeg that's wonderfully easy to work with. The adorable decorations don't hurt, either! —Christy Hinrichs, Parkville, Missouri
Lemon Sugar CookiesThese are my favorite sugar cookies. The lemon adds a unique flavor. They sure are good with coffee when company comes. —Eula Forbes, Wagoner, Oklahoma
Deluxe Sugar CookiesChristmas cutouts signal the holiday season. For variety, sprinkle half of the cookies with colored sugar before baking and frost the remaining ones after they're cooled.—Dawn Fagerstrom, Warren, Minnesota
Giant Lemon Sugar CookiesThese wonderfully chewy cookies have a light lemon flavor from both the juice and zest. The sanding sugar on top adds sparkle and a bit of crunch. —Michael Vyskocil, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania
Soft Sugar Cookie PuffsMy husband's Aunt Laurel always made these cake-like cookies with her own farm-fresh eggs, cream and butter. Now I prepare batches for Christmas each year. We like them because they're not overly sweet. —D. Elaine Rutschke, Spruce View, Alberta
Crisp Sugar CookiesMy grandmother always had sugar cookies in her pantry, and we grandchildren would empty that big jar quickly because they were the best! I now regularly bake these wonderful cookies to share with friends. —Evelyn Poteet, Hancock, Maryland
Thick Sugar CookiesThis thick and cakelike sugar cookie is similar to those sold at bakeries. My children often request these for their birthdays and are always happy to help decorate them. —Heather Biedler, Martinsburg, West Virginia
Walnut Sugar CookiesWhen we were growing up, my mother made sugar cookies dotted with ground walnuts as a special treat to welcome us home from school. —Debbie Miller, La Verne, California
Soft Sugar CookiesThese soft cookies are always a hit, so I often stir up a big batch. I usually add food coloring to the frosting to coordinate with the current holiday. —Coleen Walter, Bancroft, Michigan
Emily Racette Parulski is a Senior Editor for Taste of Home, specializing in email newsletters. When she’s not writing about food, she’s baking something sweet to feed her chocolate obsession.
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Updated: Jan. 15, 2020
