You can make powdered sugar at home in a jiffy!
Here you will learn everything you need to know about powdered sugar and how to make it from scratch anytime!
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📕 What is powdered sugar?
Powdered Sugar is a super fine version of sugar and it is mostly used in baking.
It is the perfect way to sweeten your cakes, cookies, and fudges because it mixes well in the batter and dissolves very easily.
It is also ideal for making airy frostings and dusting your desserts because it looks pretty as snow.
Making it at home is not only effortless but saves also saves you money. So here we go, let's make some sweet snow!
🆚 Powdered sugar VS confectioners sugar VS Icing sugar VS caster sugar
Powdered Sugar is called different names around the world. “Confectioner’s sugar” is the most common of them all. It is also called icing sugar because it is used for icing baked goods.
All in all, powdered sugar, confectioner’s sugar, and icing sugar are different names for the same thing.
Caster sugar is also used very often in baking but differs in texture from previous ones.
It is not as fine as powdered sugar, just finer than the granulated variant. Due to this, you cannot substitute the first three with caster sugar.
🍬 What do you need to make powdered sugar?
Making powdered sugar is child’s play. All you need is normal, granulated sugar, a good quality blender/mixer and you’re good to go.
Granulated sugar or “White sugar” is easy to spot in the supermarket aisles.
The granules look like tiny crystals and vary in size. At times, they can also be completely white. The smaller the size of the granules, the quicker they dissolve.
If you don’t want to use refined sugar, you can opt for healthier alternatives.
Coconut sugar powders really well and also have nutrients like zinc and calcium. So you can make the fluffiest frostings and eat them guilt-free.
Brown sugar crystals are covered in molasses and therefore, they are not a great fit to make powdered sugar. The end result might end up being sticky, which we want to avoid at all costs.
The best part about making fresh powdered sugar at home is that you don’t have to use additives like cornstarch or arrowroot powder.
However, if you’re not going to use it immediately, adding either of them is necessary. This prevents the powder from getting clumpy and helps keep it soft.
Coming to the equipment, you can use a Food processor or a mixer grinder to blitz the sugar.
A hand blender or a stand mixer will not work in this case, because they don’t have lids and the powder will be all over your kitchen counter in no time.
Spice grinders work wonderfully and give great results but you can only make small batches with them.
🥣 How to make it?
Here is an overview of how to make powdered sugar from scratch at home. The full recipe with details is located further below in the recipe card.
Step 1
Scoop up granulated sugar and fill up not more than half of your food processor/Mixer Grinder/ Spice Grinder.
Step 2
Turn it on and blitz/pulse it, until a super fine powder.
Step 3
Store in a jar in a cool and dry place.
🍴 Use
If you love to bake, powdered sugar is your best friend. You can use it in a zillion ways. It dissolves like magic. It is always preferred while baking cakes and the likes of it.
Brownies and fudges always use powdered sugar because it mixes evenly and easily. It also adds a delightful lightness to the recipe.
You can make sweet bread like chocolate babka, banana bread, Cinnamon Bread, and Christmas Bread.
They make the perfect breakfast treats, paired with a steaming cup of coffee. You can also try your hands on an Esterhazy Torte. It is nutty, creamy, and boozy, all at once.
You could bake these simple and sweet Sugar cookies or festive Gingerbread Cookies, which are absolute crowd-pleasers.
If you’re feeling fancy, bake some Austrian Linzer Cookies and make loads of them, because they’ll be gone before you know it.
Powdered sugar always renders a shiny and thick glaze. This can be poured over cakes and you can also decorate your cookies by flavoring or coloring it.
You can whip up a delicious Royal Icing or a Buttercream frosting with powdered sugar and it will feel like biting into a cloud.
Powdered sugar is always better than granules when you want creamy and melt-in-the-mouth outcomes.
If you’re not into baking, you can try this basic, no-fuss Marzipan recipe and explore variations like Marzipan Chocolate balls or this adorable Marzipan Pig candy which is perfect for gifting!
Another homemade recipe that makes for an endearing gift is a little jar full of Vanilla sugar.
To make vanilla sugar, split open vanilla beans and scratch out the seeds. Now place them in an elongated jar with powdered sugar with a tight lid.
This will give you an intense and heavenly vanilla flavor. Shake it every day or two for a couple of weeks and it’s ready. Like most things in life, the more time you give it, the better it gets.
If ants are a bother at your home, just mix up some powdered sugar with borax to lure them in, and you’ll get rid of the ant colonies in a trice. You’re welcome.
🍱 Storing
Always store your powdered sugar away from sunlight and moisture, in an airtight container.
You can also get yourself a powder sugar shaker/sifter which will make dusting your delicacies fun and hassle-free.
Pro tip? Mixing in a few grains of uncooked rice absorbs moisture in homemade powdered sugar and keeps sticky lumps at bay.
You can consider shifting your jar in the refrigerator if it’s too humid where you live, but a dry spot in your pantry would be just as safe.
💭 FAQs
It can last for years if you store it well and hardly goes bad. Although, it is best to use it up within two years’ time, to maintain quality.
You can freeze it, but it’s not required and can backfire. It may become lumpy after defrosting. Storing it in a cool and dry place is more than enough.
If you’re using a store-bought one, it will usually contain cornstarch and will not be gluten-free. It is always safer to check the ingredients on the packet. But if you’re making it at home, with only sugar, then it’s both gluten-free and vegan.
Yes, you can blend in flavors with powdered sugar. Preferably flavors that are dry and not sticky or liquids. Vanilla and cocoa are great options and can be added to beverages as well as used for dusting sweetmeats.
You can replace the usual powdered sugar with powdered coconut sugar, dry milk powder, Xylitol powder, or Erythritol. You can use snow sugar for dusting because it will not melt away.
It is always advised to sift your dry ingredients while baking, so there are no lumps in the batter and the final outcome is not dense. You must sift it before dusting too, for a picture-perfect dessert.
This might happen if the powdered sugar is exposed to humidity and heat. As a result, it will start melting and caramelizing. The best way to fix it is by sifting away the molten lumps and storing them properly this time around.
It might not contain flour but things like arrowroot powder and cornstarch are added in commercially sold powdered sugar, to avert lumps. When making it at home, you can skip these additives. But make sure you use it right away. Happy Baking!
Global Food Recipes
with Spices and Herbs
Free E-Book available for a limited time. Grab yours now and get instantly inspired!
You missed out!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Powdered Sugar Recipe
Instructions
- Place granulated sugar into your blender jar or spice grinder jar or food processor container.1 Cup Sugar
- Close with a lid, turn on the device and use it as per device instructions.
- Blitz and blend the sugar to finely powdered sugar. This will take just a few seconds normally.
- Take the homemade powdered sugar out carefully. It will be dusty so handle it with care. Place into a container to store or use up.
Equipment
- Blender/ Spice Grinder/ Food Processor
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