How to make Best Powdered Sugar at home?

You can make this simple and easy recipe of powdered sugar at home with just 2 ingredients.

Granulated sugar and corn starch and of course food processor or a blender. You can also use sugar of your choice, such as, coconut sugar or maple sugar. Isn’t it just amazing?

What is powdered sugar?

It is super fine sugar made from granulated sugar and corn starch. Corn starch is used as an anti-caking agent to ensure the products remains dry and free-flowing. If we are making powdered sugar at home, we can skip corn starch if we are using it immediately.

Powdered Sugar Vs Confectioners Sugar vs Icing Sugar

Do not get intimated by these 3 different names. They all are same, combination of sugar plus corn starch. Depending on where you live in the world, name differs. For example, it is called confectioners sugar in many parts in US, it is called icing sugar in Canada, UK or India and powdered sugar is just a homemade name.

Usage of powdered sugar:

You can use powder sugar at many places. Just to name a few, You can use to

1. make homemade Fondant.
2. Make powdered sugar icing or powdered sugar frosting.
3. Make desserts which require no-baking.
4. Excellent option as a dusting on brownies, French toast, cinnamon rolls, cookies, funnel cakes, pancakes (brownies of cicis pizza)To make sweetened whipped cream.
5. No-bake cheesecakes.
6. Powdered sugar Glaze which can be used on many desserts.

Basically, you can use powdered sugar anywhere where we do not require any baking or cooking. As it is in super fine powder form, it dissolves easily and does not require any cooking. I remember eating brownies dusted with powdered sugar at cicis pizza in US. It tastes, yumm. Give it a try, Trust me!

So, do you believe that, just one ingredient makes something which can be used to create so many delicious desserts. Are you ready then? Let’s make powdered sugar.

Why this is the best or great powdered sugar recipe?

1. Can be prepared in just few seconds
2. Very easy and quick
3. Multipurpose use
4. Best alternative to icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar.

Powdered sugar ingredients:

• Regular Sugar (Granulated White Sugar)

Use plain white granulated sugar. You can also use sugar of your choice, like maple sugar or coconut sugar.

• Corn Starch (Optional)

Use corn starch or corn flour. Both are same. This is used as an anti-caking agent. I have mentioned it as optional because, you can skip it, if you are making it and immediately using it without storing it.

But if you storing it, it is recommended to use corn starch.

Equipments required to make this icing sugar

1. Food Processor or mixer
2. Sifter
3. Measuring Spoons

Step by step recipe (with images) to make powdered sugar recipe from scratch.

I am showing two different ways to make powdered sugar at home. First, with cornstarch and second, without cornstarch.

Powdered sugar without Cornstarch

1. Add regular sugar to the blender.
2. Grind using blender.

3. Powdered sugar is ready

Powdered sugar with Cornstarch

1. Add regular sugar to the blender.
2. Now add corn starch to the blender.

3. Grind it together using blender.
4. Powdered sugar is ready.

Expert tips to make powdered sugar recipe

• Mixer or food processor should be dry

Moisture and sugar don’t go well at all. So, make sure your mixer and food processor is completely dry before using. If it has even small drops of water, our powdered sugar will not be fluffy and dry.

• Pulse instead of running the mixer continuously

I would highly recommend to use “Pulse” option in mixer or blender to make powdered sugar. Mixing it for long period of time, even for couple of minutes, will introduce little bit of moisture. This will ruin the consistency of powdered sugar.

• Use sifter

Use sifter for lump free powdered sugar. I personally use it every time. Powdered sugar stays lump free for long period of time.

Video representation of the homemade powdered sugar recipe

https://youtu.be/zijk_SNUiXg?si=Ou_2Dzt3TIlQHJg-

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the calories of powdered sugar?

Please refer my recipe card to know the details about calorie and nutritional information.

• How long does powdered sugar lasts?

It stays ok for couple of months if stored in an air tight container. If it is lumpy, just sift it using sifter and you are good to go.

• Can powdered sugar expire?

Actually, not. It may have lumps after few months but it will not expire. Just sift it to get rid of lumps.

• What is powdered sugar shelf life?

Please refer point ‘b’ above.

• Is powdered sugar same as confectioners’ sugar? Is powdered sugar same as Icing sugar?

Yes, icing sugar is same as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar. Depending on where you are living, the names are different. In Canada or UK, it is referred as “Icing Sugar”, in USA, it is referred as “Confectioners’ sugar”.

• Is powdered sugar same as Granulated Sugar?

No, these both are completely different.

1. Granulated sugar has small crystals whereas powdered sugar doesn’t contain any crystals and only powder.
2. Granulated sugar does not contain anti-caking agent whereas powdered sugar contains corn starch as anti-caking agent.

• What Does It Taste Like?

It tastes just as sweet as granulated sugar. It is just superfine which gives a smoother texture.

• What are the Substitutes for Powdered sugar?

You can use icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar as an alternative because they all are same. But a strict no-no to granulated sugar or caster sugar as a substitute for powdered sugar.

Try These Recipes Which uses Powdered Sugar

Red velvet cake recipe

Red velvet cake (cream cheese & whipping cream)

Tiramisu cheesecake

Sugar cookies

red velvet cookie sandwich

No Bake chocolate cheesecake

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Please let me know how this recipe turns out for you in the comments! I really love hearing from you, and your feedback is very much important to me.

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Recipe Card