Turbinado Sugar (Raw):
Grams to Cups
By Stefan Ulrich · Last updated
One cup of turbinado sugar weighs 200 grams. Its large, amber-colored crystals give baked goods a distinctive crunchy topping and a subtle molasses flavor, making it the go-to sugar for finishing cookies, muffins, and crumbles.
How much Turbinado Sugar (Raw) weighs at each cup measure.
Convert Turbinado Sugar (Raw)
1 cup = 200 grams
= — grams
= — cups
Quick reference
Measurement Table
| Cups | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 4 g | 0.14 oz |
| 1 tbsp | 13 g | 0.46 oz |
| ⅛ cup | 25 g | 0.88 oz |
| ¼ cup | 50 g | 1.76 oz |
| ⅓ cup | 67 g | 2.36 oz |
| ½ cup | 100 g | 3.53 oz |
| ⅔ cup | 133 g | 4.69 oz |
| ¾ cup | 150 g | 5.29 oz |
| 1 cup | 200 g | 7.05 oz |
| 1¼ cups | 250 g | 8.82 oz |
| 1½ cups | 300 g | 10.58 oz |
| 2 cups | 400 g | 14.11 oz |
| 3 cups | 600 g | 21.16 oz |
About Turbinado Sugar (Raw)
Turbinado sugar is partially refined cane sugar from which most (but not all) molasses has been removed during centrifugation — the 'turbine' step referenced in its name. The residual molasses gives it a light amber color and a mild caramel flavor. It is often sold as 'raw sugar,' though it is technically partially processed.
Its large crystal size means turbinado sugar doesn't dissolve as readily as white sugar. This makes it ideal as a textural topping — sprinkled on muffins, scones, or pie crusts before baking, the crystals hold their crunch through the oven's heat. Inside a batter, however, the larger crystals may leave small unmelted pockets, creating an uneven texture.
When used as a straightforward sugar substitute in recipes, turbinado sugar works best in strongly flavored baked goods like spice cookies, banana bread, and coffee cakes, where the subtle molasses note enhances rather than conflicts with the overall flavor. For delicate bakes like white butter cake, stick to refined white sugar.
At 200 g per cup, turbinado sugar has the same weight as coconut sugar and is close to granulated white sugar. You can substitute it 1:1 by weight for granulated sugar in most recipes, keeping in mind the flavor and crystal-size differences.
Tips for measuring Turbinado Sugar (Raw)
- Use as a topping rather than within batters for maximum crunch effect.
- Grind briefly in a food processor if substituting inside a recipe for even mixing.
- Its molasses notes pair best with spiced, chocolate, or nut-based baked goods.
- Store in an airtight container — the natural moisture can cause clumping.
Common mistakes
- Using large turbinado crystals inside a batter without grinding, leaving undissolved sugar.
- Expecting it to taste identical to refined white sugar — the molasses flavor is noticeable.
- Storing loosely — turbinado absorbs ambient moisture and clumps over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many grams in a cup of Turbinado Sugar (Raw)?
- 1 cup of Turbinado Sugar (Raw) weighs 200 grams — the standard used in most American recipes. Use the converter above for any other amount.
- How many grams is ¼ cup of Turbinado Sugar (Raw)?
- ¼ cup of Turbinado Sugar (Raw) weighs about 50 grams. The full table above lists every common cup fraction.
- What's the most common mistake when measuring Turbinado Sugar (Raw)?
- Using large turbinado crystals inside a batter without grinding, leaving undissolved sugar. Weighing on a kitchen scale avoids it entirely.
- Do I pack Turbinado Sugar (Raw) into the cup?
- Only pack brown sugars; granulated and powdered turbinado Sugar (Raw) are spooned in loosely and levelled. Packing the wrong type adds significant weight.