How To Make Powder Sugar

How To Make Powder Sugar – Have you ever been halfway through a recipe only to discover you’re missing a vital ingredient? When all that’s left is to whip up your frosting and you realize you’ve got no powdered sugar, that’s a position no home baker wants to be in!

Fortunately, all you need to make your own is one simple store cupboard ingredient and a high-powered blender – no trip to the store required! Here’s how you make powdered sugar at home.

What Is Powdered Sugar?

Used in frosting, glaze or sprinkled over desserts, powdered sugar is actually just granulated sugar that has been crushed into a fine powder.

You may have also heard of confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, but these are simply different names for the same thing.

How To Make Powdered Sugar At Home

To make your own powdered sugar, simply measure out half the amount of granulated sugar of your desired final weight, e.g. if you need 1 cup of powdered sugar, use ½ a cup of granulated. Then, simply blend until it has reached a fine, powdery consistency (this should only take a minute or so)

Some people use cornstarch or arrowroot starch when making their own powdered sugar, but if you are planning on using it right away there’s no need.

If you are making a batch to store, use a tablespoon of cornstarch for every cup of granulated sugar (this will help keep it dry and stop it sticking together).

Once made, your powdered sugar will keep in an airtight container at room temperature indefinitely.

What If I Don’t Have A Blender?

There are other tools you can use to make powdered sugar, but the key is that it must be high powered enough to break the sugar down into its powdered form.

If you don’t have a blender, a food processor will work, or you could also use a spice blender or even a coffee grinder.

If all else fails, you can use a mortar and pestle, although that will require so much effort you may prefer to head out to the store!

Can’t I Just Use Granulated Sugar Instead?

Powdered sugar is most commonly used in frosting recipes, and while you can technically use granulated sugar in its place, the end result won’t be the same.

As granulated sugar is much coarser it will be much harder to achieve a smooth consistency and you will likely end up with a grainer frosting. 

Can I Use Other Kinds Of Sugar?

Refined sugar may not be the best thing for us to eat, but the more refined your sugar is the fluffier your powdered sugar will be.

If you aren’t a fan of granulated sugar or simply have other kinds on hand, you can also use the same method with coconut sugar, turbinado sugar, maple sugar or cane sugar.

The one type that doesn’t work particularly well is brown sugar, as it’s too sticky to achieve the fine powder you are looking for.

Favorite Powdered Sugar Recipes

Now that you know how to make powdered sugar, use it in our of our favorite sweets below:

Orange Cake

Bailey’s Irish cream cupcakes

Dairy Free Carrot Cake

You may also use a dusting of confectioner’s sugar to your favorite pancakes or French toast. Here are a few other options:

Strawberry Pancakes

Brioche French Toast

Plantain bread

Air Fryer Oreo Cookies

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Strawberry Turnover

Haitian Sweet potato bread

Oreo Cookie Truffles 

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