Turbinado sugar (also known as raw sugar) is an ingredient you might have only seen at the condiment bar at your local cafe just waiting to be dusted over your morning oatmeal or stirred into a latte. Darker and less fine than regular granulated sugar, this ingredient definitely differs from the classic. But those differences are all the more reason that you should start incorporating turbinado sugar into your baking.
What is turbinado sugar?
Turbinado sugar differs from more common sugars because it comes from the first pressing of sugar cane and therefore retains more of the plant’s flavor and natural molasses. The syrup that’s released from this pressing is boiled to form crystals, which are then spun to separate them from any remaining liquid. These crystals are coarser, darker, and more well-rounded in flavor than granulated or brown sugar because they’re less processed. This slightly rich, molasses flavor is what makes this option so appealing and has many people reaching for turbinado over granulated sugar.
Can it be used in the place of traditional sugars?
The minimal processing of turbinado sugar is appealing to many people—as is that extra bit of rich flavor—and some wonder if and how it can be used in baking. The answer: yes but you’ll have to take a few things into account. Most importantly, you have to consider the amount of moisture in turbinado sugar versus the sugars we use most: brown (lots of moisture) and white (little moisture).
Overall, sapping in turbinado for brown sugar can lead to drier, more crumbly results since you’d essentially be getting rid of some moisture, so it’s not the best substitution. However, if you’re looking to use turbinado in place of traditiona granulated sugar, it depends on the recipe. Moist, pourable batters welcome the trade. That little bit of extra moisture certainly won’t do your next batch of brownies any harm and it can hel make cakes a bit more rich and tender. However in doughs—like a pastry dough or cookie dough—it might not be the greatest idea to substitute one for the other. The extra moisture could throw off the recipe.
Also keep in mind that because turbinado sugar has larger crystals, so a cup of sugar and a cup of turbinado isn’t exactly equal. For this exchange be sure to weigh your ingredients.
How else can you take advantage of turbinado?
That all being said, turbinado sugar is most often and most effectively used as a crunchy topping on muffins, quick breads, and even some cookies. It will give your baked goods a special texture since it doesn’t melt or dissolve into the batter like brown and granulated sugar. Because of its coarseness, turbinado sugar isn’t ideal for smooth applications like whipped cream or mousse, but it’s perfect for spice rubs and fruit desserts like crumbles or crisps.
This deeply flavored, lightly processed sweetener is the ingredient you didn’t know you needed, but you do!
The Most Beautiful Cakes We've Ever Baked
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Marvelous Marble Cake
Pound cake and chocolate make the best marble cake. — Ellen Riley, Birmingham, Alabama
Plum Upside-Down Cake
Since my husband liked pineapple upside-down cake, I decided to give this recipe a try one night when we were expecting guests for dinner. Everyone pronounced this cake "Delicious!" and asked for seconds.—Bobbie Talbott, Veneta, Oregon
Grandma's Strawberry Shortcake
I can still taste the sweet juicy berries piled over warm biscuits and topped with a huge dollop of fresh whipped cream. My father added even more indulgence to this strawberry dessert by first buttering his biscuits. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan
Ganache-Topped Chocolate Cake
To say this cake is elegant would be an understatement. It’s worthy of special occasions, but so easy to whip together you can enjoy it any day of the week. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pina Colada Bundt Cake
We named this bundt a “pina colada” because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
Rhubarb Berry Upside-Down Cake
I had leftover rhubarb and wanted to create something fresh. With blueberries, strawberries and dried cranberries on hand, I discovered I had a berry upside-down cake. —June Paul, Portage, Wisconsin
Rainbow Cake with Clouds
Some cakes stand on their own without icing. For this bright Rainbow Cake, use a little whipped cream to make fluffy clouds. —Janet Tigchelaar, Jerseyville, Ontario
Chocolate Swirl Delight
I made a few updates to a great recipe and ended up with an impressive dessert. Everyone loves its light texture and chocolaty flavor. —Lynne Bargar, Saegertown, Pennyslvania
Brown Sugar Pound Cake
This tender pound cake is the first one I mastered. You'll want to eat the browned butter icing by the spoonful. It tastes like pralines. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
Cranberry Layer Cake
I adapted a Bundt cake recipe to create this layer cake. Cranberries, walnuts and homemade frosting make it taste so delicious that you'd never guess it starts with a convenient cake mix. —Sandy Burkett, Galena, Ohio
Lemon Chiffon Cake
This moist, airy chiffon cake was my dad's favorite. Mom revamped the original recipe to include lemons. I'm not much of a baker, but whenever I make this dessert my family is thrilled! —Trisha Kammers, Clarkston, Washington
Double-Chocolate Toffee Icebox Cake
My mother-in-law gave me a cooking lesson when I first got married: "Anything tastes good if you put enough butter, chocolate or cream in it." This cake has two out of three and proves she was right. Sometimes I use chocolate graham crackers and stack up the layers in a 9x9 pan. —Bee Engelhart, Bloomfield Township, Michigan
German Black Forest Cake
As far as I know, this cake recipe can be traced back to my German great-grandma. When I got married, my mother gave me a copy and I hope to someday pass it down to my children. —Stephanie Travis, Fallon, Nevada
Berry Pinwheel Cake
Perfect for special meals, this lovely chiffon cake is a nice change from strawberry pie or shortcake. Don't be afraid t try this jelly-roll-style dessert...it's easy to make. Plus, the waxed paper-lined pan helps make cleanup a breeze! —Becky Ruff, McGregor, Iowa
Lady Baltimore Cake
I first made this cake for my fathers' birthday and now it is the only cake that he requests. This cake has complex flavors and is very unique. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California
Strawberry Mascarpone Cake
Don't let the number of steps in this recipe fool you —it's easy to assemble. The cake bakes up high and fluffy, and the berries add a fresh fruity flavor. Cream cheese is a good substitute if you don't have mascarpone cheese handy. —Carol Witczak, Tinley Park, Illinois
Decadent Chocolate Crepe Cake
No other dessert has wowed family and friends the way this stunning crepe cake did the first time I made it. A showstopper in every sense of the word, it features layers of tender chocolate crepes and rich white chocolate buttercream frosting draped in a semisweet chocolate ganache. —Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta
Sherbet-Filled Angel Food Cake
Here’s a cool way to treat angel food cake: Fill it with sherbet or ice cream. We finish this cake with a tart, sweet lime glaze. —Leah Rekau, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Banana Skillet Upside-Down Cake
My grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee
Toffee Angel Food Cake
Sometimes I crave the sweet flavor and light, moist texture of angel food cake. Chopped toffee bits and whipped cream make it even more indulgent. For best results, refrigerate the cake for at least one hour before serving. —Collette Gaugler, Fogelsville, Pennsylvania
Brownie Torte
My mother-in-law first shared this recipe, and now it's often requested for birthdays and other special occasions. I like to serve it at Christmastime on an antique platter surrounded by ornaments for decoration. —Candace McClure, Brookville, Indiana
Cherry Cola Cake
Cherry cola and marshmallows make a zippy chocolate dessert that is scrumptious topped with vanilla ice cream. — Cheri Mason, Harmony, North Carolina
Cinnamon Twirl Roly-Poly
My whole house smells incredible when this cake is in the oven. Change it up with other extracts—maple is heavenly. —Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York
Caramel-Pecan Mocha Layer Cake
My version of a prize-winning chocolate cake is irresistible, especially when the rich caramel sauce oozes down the sides. —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina
Red Velvet Marble Cake
I watched my grandma prepare her red velvet showstopper many times for family get-togethers. The fluffy butter frosting perfectly complements the flavor of this gorgeous cake.—Jodi Anderson, Overbrook, Kansas
Sachertorte
Guests will be surprised to hear this dessert starts with a convenient cake mix. Each bite features chocolate, almonds and apricots. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Maple Walnut Cake
This maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors my grandpa, who made maple syrup. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York
Blackberry-Orange Cake
My grandmother made luscious fruit pies and cobblers using blackberries from her garden. I decided to follow her lead and create a blackberry cake that's always lovely with a summer meal. —Lisa M. Varner, El Paso, Texas
Coconut-Layered Pound Cake
If you love chocolate, almonds and coconut, this cake is for you. It comes together in a flash and tastes just like an Almond Joy candy bar! —Linda L. Nichols, Steubenville, Ohio
Marvelous Cannoli Cake
A luscious, chocolate-studded cannoli filling separates the tender vanilla layers of this rich cake, which starts with a package mix. It’s best when served well chilled.—Antoinette Owens, Ridgefield, Connecticut
Cranberry Cake Roll
This low-fat angel food cake roll is a guilt-free indulgence, which is much-appreciated during the Christmas season. —Paige Kowolewski, Topton, Pennsylvania
Favorite Coconut Cake
When I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I depend on. My guests are glad I do! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Mamaw Emily's Strawberry Cake
My husband loved his Mamaw's strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky
Carrot Cake with Pecan Frosting
My husband constantly requests this homey, old-fashioned version of carrot cake. The frosting is still tasty even without the pecans. —Adrian Badon, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
I’ve baked this cake every spring for many years, and my family loves it! At potlucks it gets eaten up quickly, even by folks who don’t normally go for rhubarb. Use you own fresh rhubarb, hit up a farmers market or find a neighbor who will trade stalks for the recipe! —Helen Breman, Mattydale, New York
Decadent Fudge Cake
Everyone loves the rich flavor in this decadent cake made with four types of chocolate. —Anna Hogge, Yorktown, Virginia
Moist Lemon Angel Cake Roll
Tart and delicious, this pretty cake roll will tickle any lemon lover's fancy. Its feathery, angel food texture enhances its guilt-free goodness. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Grandma's Red Velvet Cake
In our family no one thinks it’s Christmas without this Red Velvet Cake recipe. I baked the first one for Christmas in 1963 when I found the recipe in the newspaper and my Mother kept the tradition going into the ’80s. It’s different than other Red Velvet Cakes I’ve tasted over the years, since this one tastes only mildly chocolate and the icing is as light as snow. —Kathryn H. Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina
Skillet Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
For a change of pace, you can substitute fresh or frozen peach slices for the pineapple in this old-fashioned recipe. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
Aunt Murna's Jam Cake
I remember Aunt Murna telling me that she created her Jam Cake recipe as a very young girl. Through the years she made improvements, such as soaking the raisins in crushed pineapple. This cake is a favorite at our annual family reunions and at Christmastime. —Eddie Robinson, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Lemon-Blueberry Pound Cake
Pair a slice of this moist cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's a staple at our family barbecues. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois
Peeps Sunflower Cake
The inspiration for this cake came from one of my favorite flowers, the sunflower. The yellow peeps make eye-catching flower petals, and I carefully placed chocolate chips in a circular pattern to resemble the seeds in the middle of a sunflower. This cake is easy, but looks quite impressive. —Bethany Eledge, Cleveland, Tennessee
Raspberry Custard Kuchen
Back where I grew up in Wisconsin, people have been baking this German treat for generations. We love it for breakfast or as a special dessert. It's no fuss to fix and impressive to serve. —Virginia Arndt, Sequim, Washington
Lemon Meringue Angel Cake
I've been told that this dessert tastes exactly like a lemon meringue pie and that it's the best angel food cake anyone could ask for. I'm not sure about all of that, but it is delightful to serve, and each slice is virtually fat free. —Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Cranberry Pecan Upside-Down Cake
At our house, cranberries are a favorite. I made this dessert for the first time in the 1990s. It started out as a pineapple upside-down cake—I just changed a few things around! It keeps and travels well, so it’s perfect for taking to church dinners. And we love to share it with our son and grandchildren. —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
California Lemon Pound Cake
Citrus trees grow abundantly in California, and I'm always looking for new recipes which use the fruit from the orange and lemon trees in my yard. This is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. —Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California
Pumpkin Torte
This beautiful layered cake has a creamy filling with a mild pumpkin flavor and a little spice. It's quick and always turns out so well. The nuts and caramel topping add a nice finishing touch. —Trixie Fisher, Piqua, Ohio
Makeover Peach Upside-Down Cake
This peachy delight has charmed folks for years. Our lightened version is even better with less fat and calories than other similar recipes.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lemon-Berry Shortcake
This simple lemon shortcake is tender and not overly sweet. Enjoy this summertime classic with a generous layer of whipped topping and berries. —Meryl Herr, Overland Park, Kansas
Ice Cream Cake
This eye-catching dessert is actually easy to prepare and keeps well in the freezer for days. It's nice to be able to serve cake and ice cream in one slice.—Anne Scholovich, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Lemon Ginger Icebox Cake
Everyone searches for grand desserts that have easy ingredients and minimal effort. My lemony ginger icebox cake is the answer. It’s a holiday lifesaver. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Moist Lemon Chiffon Cake
This fluffy cake is a real treat drizzled with the sweet-tart lemon glaze. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Walnut Pumpkin Cake Roll
This is one of my family's favorite dessert recipes, especially for holiday gatherings. —Mary Gecha, Center Rutland, Vermont
Pineapple Breeze Torte
This lovely torte features ladyfingers, a creamy filling and a crushed pineapple topping. It's a special treat for my large family and a must at Christmas. —Barbara Joyner, Franklin, Virginia
Orange Dream Angel Food Cake
A basic angel food cake becomes a heavenly indulgence thanks to a hint of orange flavor swirled into every bite. The orange color makes slices of the cake look so pretty when arranged on individual dessert plates.—Lauren Osborne, Holtwood, Pennsylvania
Gingersnap Pumpkin Cake
It just so happened that on the first day that really felt like fall, we were getting together with friends. I had to make this pumpkin cake. —Koni Brewer, Fort Worth, Texas
Mocha Yule Log
This eye-catching dessert is guaranteed to delight holiday dinner guests. Chocolate lovers will lick their lips over the yummy cocoa cake, mocha filling and frosting. For a festive touch, I garnish the log with marzipan holly leaves and berries. —Jenny Hughson, Mitchell, Nebraska
Chocolate Bavarian Torte
Whenever I take this eye-catching torte to a potluck, I get so many requests for the recipe. —Edith Holmstrom, Madison, Wisconsin
