Turbinado sugar, sometimes known as raw sugar, is a popular alternative to traditional white granulated sugar. With its coarse, crystallized texture and light brown color, turbinado sugar brings a rich, sweet flavor to recipes. But how does it perform in cookies? Here’s what you need to know about using turbinado sugar in your next batch of cookies.
What is Turbinado Sugar?
Turbinado sugar is made from the first pressing of sugarcane. It retains more of the natural molasses from the sugarcane juice than white sugar does, giving it a blond color and subtle caramel-like flavor.
Some key facts about turbinado sugar:
- It has a coarse, crystallized texture resembling large grains of sand.
- The molasses content gives it a light brown color.
- It has a sweet flavor with hints of caramel and maple.
- It has a lower glycemic index than white sugar.
- It contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals from the sugarcane juice.
While not as refined as white sugar, turbinado sugar does still undergo some processing. It’s spun in a centrifuge to remove surface molasses and moisture, resulting in large, crystalline grains. So despite the natural sounding name, it’s not an unrefined or raw sugar.
Turbinado Sugar Nutrition
Here is how turbinado sugar compares nutritionally to white sugar:
| Sugar Type | Calories per 1 tsp | Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| Turbinado sugar | 15 | 4 g |
| White sugar | 16 | 4 g |
As you can see, turbinado and white sugar are very similar nutritionally. The tiny difference in calories comes from the minute amounts of molasses minerals present in turbinado sugar.
The main nutritional advantage of turbinado sugar is that it has a lower glycemic index of 35 compared to 65 for white sugar. This means it impacts blood sugar slightly less rapidly. But overall, both should be consumed in moderation.
Substituting Turbinado for White Sugar
The rich flavor and coarse texture of turbinado sugar make it ideal for recipes where you want the sweetener to add flavor, like cookies.
When substituting turbinado for white sugar, keep these tips in mind:
- Use a 1:1 ratio – For every 1 cup of white sugar, use 1 cup of turbinado.
- Reduce any liquids slightly – The molasses in turbinado makes it more moist. Use a tad less milk or other liquids.
- Cream it thoroughly – Turbinado sugar doesn’t dissolve as easily as white sugar. Make sure to cream it well with butter.
- Expect a slight color change – Cookies made with turbinado sugar will have a light golden or brown hue.
- Adjust baking time – The molasses may subtly alter baking time. Check a minute or two early.
With a simple 1:1 substitution, you can easily use turbinado sugar in any cookie recipe that calls for granulated white sugar. The texture and taste will be similar, with turbinado adding its signature sweetness and subtle molasses notes.
Turbinado Sugar Cookie Recipes
Ready to bake up a batch of cookies using turbinado? Here are some delicious cookie recipes that are perfect for substituting with this sweetener:
Turbinado Sugar Snickerdoodles
The cinnamon-sugar coating on these soft cookies pairs beautifully with the caramel notes from turbinado sugar. Simply use it 1:1 in place of white sugar.
Turbinado Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies
Turbinado brings out the chocolate flavor in classic chocolate chip cookies. The coarse sugar also gives the cookies a lovely crunch.
Turbinado Sugar Gingersnaps
Ground ginger and turbinado sugar are a match made in cookie heaven. Together they create the ultimate gingersnap – crisp on the outside with a chewy center.
Turbinado Sugar Peanut Butter Cookies
Nutty peanut butter deserves an equally distinctive partner. Turbinado sugar’s molasses notes enhance peanut butter’s flavor in this cookie.
Turbinado Sugar Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Turbinado sugar adds sweetness and texture that complement the hearty oats and plump raisins in this old-fashioned favorite.
Turbinado Sugar Maple Cookies
Maple and turbinado are both made from the sap of plants – maple trees and sugar cane. Their flavors align beautifully in maple cookies.
Turbinado Sugar Coconut Macaroons
The caramel flavor of turbinado sugar pairs perfectly with the tropical flavor of coconut. It brings added sweetness without overpowering.
Turbinado Cranberry Orange Cookies
Turbinado sugar’s mild molasses flavor allows tart cranberries and bright citrus to shine in these holiday-worthy cookies.
Advantages of Turbinado Sugar in Cookies
Using turbinado sugar in place of regular granulated sugar offers several advantages:
- Flavor – The molasses in turbinado provides a more complex, almost maple-like flavor compared to plain white sugar.
- Texture – Turbinado sugar’s large, coarse grains give cookies a pleasant crunchy texture.
- Moisture – Turbinado sugar helps baked goods retain a little more moisture than white sugar.
- Lower Glycemic Index – The molasses in turbinado causes it to be absorbed more slowly, giving a lower glycemic index.
- Minerals – Turbinado contains tiny amounts of minerals including calcium, potassium, and iron.
So if you’re looking to add more flavor, texture, and nutrition to your cookies, turbinado sugar is an excellent option.
Potential Drawbacks of Turbinado Sugar in Cookies
While it offers some benefits, turbinado sugar also comes with a few potential drawbacks to consider:
- It’s less sweet than white sugar due to the molasses diluting the sweetness. So cookies may need a touch more turbinado than white sugar for equal sweetness.
- The molasses notes, while delicious, may overpower more delicate flavors like almond or lemon.
- Turbinado sugar is coarser than white sugar. In some cookie types, this can make cookies crunchy rather than chewy.
- The brown hue from the molasses may alter the appearance of light colored doughs.
- It’s minimally more expensive than white sugar.
These downsides are fairly minor. With a little tweaking of recipe amounts, flavors, and textures, they can be accounted for when baking with turbinado.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to turbinado sugar, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using it in cookies:
Does turbinado sugar make cookies crispy?
Turbinado sugar can make cookies crisper than white sugar due to its coarser, crystalized texture. For a chewy cookie, pair it with soft baking ingredients like brown sugar, oats, and chocolate chips. Avoid overbaking.
Can I measure turbinado sugar like white sugar?
Yes, the same volume or weight of turbinado sugar can directly replace white sugar using a 1:1 ratio. Granulated and turbinado sugar have nearly identical densities.
Does turbinado sugar caramelize like brown sugar?
Turbinado sugar won’t caramelize to the same degree as brown sugar since it contains less molasses. But it will provide subtle hints of caramel flavor.
How does turbinado impact cookie texture?
Turbinado’s crystalline structure gives cookies a pleasant crunch. For softer cookies, look for recipes using melted butter or brown sugar which contribute chewiness.
Should I reduce liquids with turbinado sugar?
Maybe slightly – the moisture in turbinado means cookies bake up a little softer. Reduce milk or other liquids by 1-2 tbsp for crisper cookies.
Conclusion
Turbinado sugar is a versatile sweetener that can be used cup-for-cup to replace white sugar in cookies. It adds enticing flavor notes, attractive golden color, and pleasant crunch. While contributing subtle molasses flavor, it still allows cookie ingredients like chocolate and spices to shine.
Minor tweaks may be needed to achieve the perfect texture in certain cookies. Reducing liquids slightly and avoiding overbaking can help counter turbinado’s softening effect. Overall, this natural sugar makes an excellent addition to creativity spice up basic sugar cookie recipes.
So if you’re seeking to add warm, maple-like sweetness to your next cookie batch, don’t hesitate to give turbinado sugar a try. In moderation, it can be enjoyed as a flavorful alternative to standard refined white sugar.