How to Make Powdered Sugar

Powdered Sugar doesn’t have to be store-bought boos! I love making mine at home and saving a little money. Get into it. You won’t believe how easy it is. Plus I have a video tutorial below to help ya out!

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an overhead photo of powdered sugar with a measuring cup, butter, and other ingredients ready to use for baking

Video Tutorial

How to Make Powdered Sugar

  1. Measure out half the amount that you’ll be needing. (Half a cup of regular sugar will produce one cup of powdered sugar) 
  2. Pour sugar into a high-powered blender. If using, add cornstarch. 
  3. Blend on high until sugar is fine and fluffy (about 30 seconds). 
  4. Optional: sift before use for clump free, extra fluffy sugar.

TIP: Make a larger batch of sugar and store in an air-tight container in the pantry for later use. You may also want to add a preservative so it stays dry.

Arrowroot powder, tapioca flour or organic cornstarch are all great options! Add one tablespoon of cornstarch (or your preferred alternative) for every one cup of sugar. 

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Substitutions

  • Artificial Sweeteners- Blend ¾ cup of any artificial sweetener (stevia, splenda, equal, etc.) with 2T of cornstarch until they form a powdered state. Substitute this mixture in a 1:1 ratio in any recipe that calls for powdered sugar.
  • Powdered Coconut Sugar- Coconut sugar has a caramel-like flavor and is significantly less sweet than powdered sugar. All you have to do is mix 1 cup of coconut sugar with 1T of arrowroot powder. Use this concoction as a 1:1 substitute for powdered sugar. 

How to Use It

Other Tutorials to try

Learn to make Cake Release, Homemade Brown Sugar , Convert Cake to Cupcakes, and Homemade Cake Flour too! 

 

an overhead photo of powdered sugar with a measuring cup, butter, and other ingredients ready to use for baking

How To Make Powdered Sugar Recipe

Powdered Sugar doesn’t have to be store-bought! Learn how to make at home! The result is a fine, super fluffy sugar that is begging to be dusted on your next sweet treat.
4.70 from 26 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar (makes 2 cups of powdered sugar)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch optional- see note below

Instructions

  • Measure out half the amount of powdered sugar you’ll be needing. (Half a cup of regular sugar will produce one cup of powdered sugar).
  • Pour sugar into a high-powered blender. If using, add cornstarch.
  • Blend on high until sugar is fine and fluffy (about 30 seconds).
  • Optional: sift before use for clump free, extra fluffy sugar.

Video

Notes

TIP: Make a larger batch of sugar and store in an air-tight container in the pantry for later use.
Note RE Preservatives:
Most store-bought powdered sugars contain a bit of cornstarch to keep the sugar dry. Though useful, cornstarch isn’t the healthiest addition to a recipe. I love that, by making my own sugar, I can closely control what gets added to my food.
If I’m whipping up a quick batch to make frosting or dust on as a topping, I skip the cornstarch. But, if I’m making a larger batch to store in the pantry, I do add a bit of my own preservative. Arrowroot powder, tapioca flour or organic cornstarch are all great options! Add one tablespoon of cornstarch (or your preferred alternative) for every one cup of sugar.

Nutrition

Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 100g | Sodium: 1mg | Sugar: 100g
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Filed Under:  Dessert and Baking, Tutorials

Comments

  1. Wow! This is great to know! Thank you for being a great chef , baker, and teacher! You are Awesome!

  2. Such a great trick, right?! I stopped buying powdered sugar in store long ago. But what puzzled me always was the sugar ratio. You’ve just cleared that out. Thanks for lovely instructions and tips.

  3. Can I tell you how many times I have run out of powdered sugar…. So glad to know I can make it at home! This cake is delicious!

  4. This is such a great idea. Baking supplies have been so hard to find sometimes. It is good to know I can whip some powdered sugar up if I can’t find it.

    1. The instructions mention cornstarch but none is listed in the ingredients. If using, how much?

    2. 1 tbsp per 1 cup of sugar used. It is in the post but I also just added it to the notes section as well.

  5. Wow! I didn’t know that! I don’t have a high powered blender, but it still should work, I think. I recently made superfine sugar in my Cuisinart the same way, without the cornstarch.

  6. Dear Jocelyn,

    I enjoy viewing your emails, and look forward to comparing your’s to my family’s recipes. In these times of uncertainty, cooking and baking are activities that have kept me grounded … and my family and friends “full as a tick”!

    This simple “hack” is something that has saved me several trips to the store. It’s simple – but extremely practical.

    Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing.

    Respectfully,

    Dee

4.70 from 26 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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