How To Make Homemade Powdered Sugar

When you need powdered sugar for a recipe and realize you’re out, don’t worry! With just a few simple ingredients and less than 5 minutes, you can whip up homemade powdered sugar right in your kitchen. It’s super easy and a total lifesaver!

Forget those last-minute grocery runs! In this guide, I’ll show you how to make your own powdered sugar easily so you’ll never run out again. I’ll also share some tips on how to customize it to your taste.

The basics of powdered sugar

Powdered sugar, also called confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar, is granulated sugar that has been finely ground and often contains a small amount of an anti-caking ingredient, like cornstarch, to prevent clumping and keep it dry. This fine texture makes it ideal for recipes that require a smooth consistency, such as icings and buttercreams, and it’s used to sprinkle on top of desserts. 

Ingredients to make powdered sugar

You might be surprised to find this ingredient list small. Making powdered sugar at home requires just two basic ingredients.

• 2 cups granulated sugar: Forget fancy ingredients. Powdered sugar is simply granulated sugar that’s been ground down to a super fine texture. This means the main ingredient you’ll need is granulated sugar itself.
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch: While cornstarch is optional for immediate use in no-bake recipes like frosting, adding a small amount helps prevent clumping and extends the shelf life of your homemade powdered sugar by absorbing moisture and keeping it light and airy. You should add it if you use powdered sugar for baked goods like cookies and cakes.

Equipment needed

Although a high-ender blender such as a Vitamix, Nutri Bullet, or food processor is perfect for making powdered sugar at home, a coffee grinder or a Nutribullet can also be used for smaller batches. Experiment to find the appliance that works best for you.

How to make powdered sugar

When finished, you should have roughly doubled the amount of powdered sugar compared to the initial amount of granulated sugar. This means that if you start with 2 cups of granulated sugar, you will end up with about 3 and three-quarters cups of powdered sugar.

• Add the granulated sugar — and cornstarch, if using — to your chosen appliance.
• Blend 30 to 60 seconds using a high-end blender or 4 minutes using a food processor until the sugar is very fine and fluffy.
• Stop and stir the sugar to ensure it’s been thoroughly blended. If it feels gritty when rubbed between your fingertips, continue blending.
• Powdered sugar made at home can be stored indefinitely. To maintain freshness, keep it in a sealed container in a cool, dry place. If you plan on storing it for a while, remember to include cornstarch to prevent clumping. 

More powdered sugar options

White powdered sugar is always available in stores, but for a different option, you can make powdered sugar using unrefined sugars. Unrefined sugar will result in a grainier texture and a caramel-like flavor. You can experiment with these sugar varieties to add unique flavors to your baked goods and desserts.

• Cane sugar is similar in flavor to granulated sugar but slightly darker in color and has larger grains.
• Brown sugar is granulated sugar mixed with molasses and has a high moisture content. When making powdered brown sugar, use cornstarch.
• Turbinado sugar contains some natural molasses, giving it a light brown color and a caramel flavor. It also has larger crystals than brown sugar. I sprinkle this on top of my Apple Scones.
• Coconut sugar is tan in color and has a rich caramel flavor. It comes from the sap of the coconut palm tree.

Creative uses for homemade powdered sugar

In baking, powdered sugar lends a silky texture to treats like cookies, fudge, meringues and more, enhancing their delectable quality. A crinkle cookie would not be the same without being covered in powdered sugar.

Powdered sugar dissolves easily in drinks like hot chocolate, coffee, cocktails and more. Sprinkle powdered sugar into your cold foam for a little sweetness in your coffee.

Make a quick glaze for cakes, cookies and scones with powdered sugar. You can also sift powdered sugar over cakes, beignets, brownies, rosettes or lemon bars to add sweetness and make your desserts look pretty.

Making powdered sugar at home saves me money, especially since I use it a lot in my recipes. Plus, it’s really satisfying to make something from scratch and know exactly what’s in it. It gives me more control over what I’m putting in my dishes.

It’s so simple to make your own powdered sugar — just throw some white sugar in a blender, and you have powdered sugar to sprinkle on desserts without paying a ton for it.”

 — Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju, Urban Farmie

I just started making homemade powdered sugar in batches once I learned how. Now, I can use regular granulated sugar or mix in different unrefined sugars to get the desired taste. You should definitely try it!

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This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.