Frequently Asked Questions

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Baking

Does sugar do anything other than sweeten baked goods?
In addition to providing sweetness, sugar adds flavor, bulk, and structure. In cakes without shortening, sugar helps delay egg coagulation and allows a cake to "set" properly. It also retains moisture in baked goods. And as it’s heated above its melting point, it caramelizes and takes on an amber color with a wonderful aroma and flavor.

Sugar reacts chemically with proteins during baking and browns the food surface. Higher sugar content in baked goods results in a darker brown surface.

What does sugar do in breads?
Sugar acts as a tenderizer during mixing. It absorbs water and slows the development of gluten strands that can make the dough or batter rigid and tough. Use sugar to prevent gluten development and give your breads a tender crumb texture and good volume.

In addition, sugar provides an immediate and ready source of nourishment for the yeast growth. With sugar, leavening hastens and the dough rises at a faster and more consistent rate.

If you want less sugar in your bread, you can remove 1 or 2 tablespoons without changing most recipes. Conversely, you can usually add a tablespoon of sugar to most bread recipes (1 tablespoon to 3 cups of flour) with no problems.

And from an aesthetic point of view, sugar gives baked goods a wonderfully golden brown crust.

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Storage

What is the shelf life of sugar?
Sugar, properly stored, has an indefinite shelf life because it does not support microbial growth. Because C&H harvests its sugar cane year-round, you can expect optimum freshness and flavor at the time of your purchase.

How should I store my C&H Granulated Sugar and C&H Powdered Sugar?
Moisture makes granulated sugar hard and lumpy. Once this happens, there is no way to adequately restore it. Always store granulated sugar in a covered container in a cool, dry area.

Store powdered sugar in a cool, dry location (not the refrigerator). When it gets moist, it develops lumps. And because of its physical properties, it tends to absorb strong odors – it can even absorb odors through the package.

How should C&H Brown Sugar be stored?
Air hardens brown sugar. Store it in a cool, moist area in a covered container. If that’s not possible, store the entire container in a second canister with a tight-fitting lid. You can also empty the sugar into a rustproof container (or a heavy, moisture-proof plastic bag) and keep it tightly closed. Even though the shelf life of brown sugar is indefinite, it’s best to use it within six months of purchase for maximum flavor. Don’t store brown sugar in the refrigerator. However, if you are in a very dry area or are going to keep it for a long time, you may want to freeze it. To use frozen sugar, thaw it for two or three hours. If ice crystals form after long freezer storage, gently stir the sugar as soon as it thaws to prevent pockets of moisture from causing damage. (Note: C&H's 2 lb. brown sugars are now packaged in a popular zip-pack container.)

How do I soften C&H Brown Sugar?
When brown sugar hardens, it loses its natural moisture. Here are some suggestions to restore the moisture and soften the sugar:

• If you need to use hard brown sugar immediately, remove it from the package and heat it in a 250-degree oven. Watch it carefully. As soon as it’s soft, measure the amount you need right away because it will again harden as it cools. Please use caution. Oven heated sugar is very hot!
  
  
• To soften brown sugar in a microwave, place it in a microwave-safe container, cover loosely with a wet (but not dripping) white paper towel, set the microwave on high, and check the sugar every 30 seconds. Again, microwave-softened sugar hardens as it cools so microwave only the amount of sugar you need. And it’s very hot. Please use caution.
  
  
• Time permitting, place the hardened brown sugar in a rustproof container with a dampened – not dripping wet – white paper towel or napkin placed over a small piece of plastic wrap or foil on top of the sugar. Cover tightly. Remove the paper towel after the sugar absorbs the moisture and softens (about two days) and tightly reseal the container.

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Usage

What’s the difference between C&H Dark Brown Sugar and C&H Golden Brown?
Use these two sugars interchangeably in recipes calling for brown sugar. For a delicate, light, nutty caramel flavor, use

C&H Golden Brown Sugar. For a rich, old-time molasses taste and deeper color, use C&H Dark Brown sugar. If you’re in doubt or if it’s not specified, you might choose C&H Golden Brown.

Can C&H Brown Sugar be substituted for C&H Granulated Sugar?
In quick breads, cookies, and some cakes (such as an applesauce cake), brown sugar can usually be substituted for granulated. Use 1 cup of lightly packed brown sugar to replace 1 cup of granulated. For fine-textured cakes and fancy desserts, it’s usually better to use C&H Baker's Sugar.

Can C&H Granulated Sugar be substituted for C&H Baker’s Sugar and vice versa?
You can use C&H Granulated Sugar for general baking. But for the passionate baker and fine-textured dessert recipes, we suggest C&H Pure Cane Baker’s Sugar.

Baker’s Sugar is a gourmet sugar. Because it was developed especially for baking and requires extra curing, it’s slightly more expensive but well worth it. For more information, visit the Baker’s Sugar web site.

Can C&H Powdered Sugar and C&H

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