Using turbinado or demerara sugar as a substitute for granulated sugar in baked goods

Question

I've been on a turbinado kick lately, especially after using it in several recipes off this site (e.g., Merrill's strawberry-rhubarb compote and Amanda's raspberry swamp pie).  I like the idea of swapping granulated sugar with turbinado in certain baked goods for more flavor.  Can you make a one to one substitution?  Do you need to grind it first to make the crystals smaller?

Amanda H. · Answer

Apologies for the spam -- we're working to fix it now.

susan G. · Answer

If you want to make something where butter and sugar are creamed, the large size of the crystals gives a result which isn't the intended one!  I've done it, and while it didn't ruin the outcome, it wasn't a light and fluffy mass.

boulangere · Answer

It's going to have a bit of molasses in it, though certainly less than true brown sugar, so when you bake with it, maybe add a pinch of baking soda to balance the acid.  As for the size of the crystals, I wouldn't worry about it.

EmilyC · Answer

Should've done my foodpickle research first:  turns out AJ asked a similar question a year ago and Amanda answered it:  http://www.food52.com/foodpickle...

Using turbinado or demerara sugar as a substitute for granulated sugar in baked goods

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