Turbinado sugar

A light golden raw cane sugar with large, crunchy crystals and a mild molasses flavor, often sprinkled on top of baked goods.

Turbinado sugar: A small bowl of coarse, golden-amber turbinado sugar crystals with a wooden spoon, a few large crystals scattered on the table
  • Baking ingredients and additives

Also called: raw sugar, demerara sugar

Turbinado sugar is made from the first crystallization of cane juice and is spun in a centrifuge, or turbine, to remove most of the surface molasses. Demerara sugar is a very similar type. Its large crystals do not dissolve as easily as granulated sugar, so it is used mostly where a crunchy texture is wanted.

Bakers sprinkle it on muffins, scones, pie crusts and cookies before baking to create a sparkly, crisp crust. It is also used to caramelize the top of crème brûlée and to sweeten coffee.

Bake it at VanillaGoods

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Sweeteners: nutritive and non-nutritive, Oregon State University Extension