What Is Turbinado Sugar and How Can You Use It?
Updated: Nov. 10, 2023
This minimally processed sugar is good for more than just sweetening that cup of coffee! Learn why you should add it to your pantry today.
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, swapping 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 traditional 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 help 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.
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
Minted Chocolate TorteOur family has enjoyed this remarkable layered cake for years. It's a favorite for many occasions. —Barbara Humiston, Tampa, Florida
Unicorn CakeThis magical unicorn cake tastes as good as it looks. Baking in smaller pans creates impressive height, and a few simple decorating tricks turn it into a showstopping dessert. —Lauren Knoelke, Des Moines, Iowa
Chocolate Hazelnut TorteMost cake recipes feed a crowd. So we came up with this elegant little cake that serves six. That's enough for two…with just the right amount of leftovers! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mama's Spice CakeWhenever I get a craving for a tasty old-fashioned treat, I make this cake. Great cooks in my family have been baking it for generations, and their families have been enjoying the wonderful spice flavor and rich frosting.
—Nancy Duty, Jacksonville, Florida
Confetti Cake with Brown Sugar ButtercreamThis simple and tender cake has been celebrated in my family for years. Dressed up with tinted frosting and confetti, it becomes pure party fun. — Karen Berner, New Canaan, Connecticut
Rich Chocolate Peanut Butter CakeThe combination of mocha and peanut butter will satisfy every sweet tooth at your table. The garnish is a little extra work, but what are special occasions for? —Tammy Bollman, Minatare, Nebraska
Grandma's Strawberry ShortcakeI can still taste the juicy berries piled over warm biscuits and topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. My father added even more indulgence to the dessert by first buttering his biscuits. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan
Citrus Cornmeal CakeCornmeal adds a rustic quality to this delicate dessert flavored with citrus and almond. It makes a great holiday party hostess gift and is sure to be a staple in your recipe collection. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Rainbow Cake with CloudsSome 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
Lemon Chiffon CakeThis moist, airy lemon 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
Berry Pinwheel CakePerfect 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
Banana Split Icebox CakeA friend showed me how to make a traditional icebox cake with just cream and graham crackers. I make it special by adding fruit. —Shelly Flye, Albion, Maine
Banana Skillet Upside-Down CakeMy 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
Raspberry Fudge TorteThis special-occasion cake impresses all who see and taste it. People are surprised to hear that this torte starts with a simple cake mix—they're sure I bought it at a bakery. —Julie Hein, York, Pennsylvania
Sacher TorteGuests will be surprised to hear that this Sacher torte recipe starts with a convenient cake mix. Each bite features chocolate, almonds and apricots. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Decadent Fudge CakeEveryone loves the rich flavor in this decadent cake made with four types of chocolate. —Anna Hogge, Yorktown, Virginia
Best Red Velvet CakeIt's just not Christmas at our house until this festive cake appears. This is different from other red velvet cake recipes I’ve had; the icing is as light as snow. —Kathryn Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina
Aunt Murna's Jam CakeI remember Aunt Murna telling me that she created her jam cake recipe as a young girl. She made improvements over the years, such as soaking the raisins in crushed pineapple. This cake is a favorite at our annual family reunions. —Mrs. Eddie Robinson, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Peeps Sunflower CakeThe 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 KuchenBack 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 CakeI'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
Lemon Pound CakeCitrus 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 lemon pound cake is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. —Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California
Lemon-Berry ShortcakeThis 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 CakeThis 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
Glazed Lemon Chiffon CakeDrizzled with sweet-tart lemon glaze, this fluffy cake is a real treat. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Mocha Yule LogThis 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 TorteWhenever I take this eye-catching torte to a potluck, I get so many requests for the recipe. —Edith Holmstrom, Madison, Wisconsin
Originally Published: April 13, 2018
