Whether you're in a pinch or just want to enjoy the freshness of homemade ingredients, this Homemade Powdered Sugar recipe is easy to make. Also known as confectioner's sugar or icing sugar, this versatile ingredient is perfect for baking, sweet icings, and more. If you have run out of store bought, this is also the best substitute.
One afternoon, I whipped up a batch of my favorite Lemon Blueberry Muffins. Everything went smoothly and the muffins looked gorgeous. I reached for the powdered sugar to dust the tops and realized I was out. Running to the store was out of the question—I simply didn’t have the time or the desire but I love the extra sweetness that comes with a dusting of powdered sugar. That’s when I remembered an old trick I had heard about, making a powdered sugar substitute at home with just a high-powered blender or spice grinder and a couple of pantry staples.
To my delight, it was incredibly easy to make homemade powdered sugar. Within seconds, I had a fluffy, fine powder that looked just like the store-bought version. Not only did it save my dessert that day, but it also saved me from an unnecessary trip to the store, which is always a win in my book.
Homemade powdered sugar is perfect for those times when you want to skip the shopping trip to the grocery store or when you want to use an ingredient that feels fresher and more personalized. It's perfect for adding a little extra love to whatever your baking.
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Ingredients
- White Sugar – Use regular sugar for the best results. You can substitute coconut sugar, maple sugar or cane sugar.
- Cornstarch – Cornstarch prevents the sugar from clumping together, ensuring it remains a smooth, fine powder. You can also use arrowroot powder or a little bit of tapioca starch.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Powdered Sugar
- Step 1: Add sugar and cornstarch to a food processor, high-speed blender or spice grinder and grind for 15 seconds or until the mixture has reached a very fine powder texture.
Hint: Food processors, unless they have a special setting for this, will not get the sugar fine enough to make powdered sugar.
Equipment
To make homemade powdered sugar, you’ll need a high-powered blender, food processor or a grinder. These tools are capable of grinding the sugar to the fine consistency required. If you’re using a spice or coffee grinder with a smaller capacity, you can easily make the powdered sugar in batches and then sift the ingredients together in a bowl to ensure an even mix. It's important to note that most food processors do not have the power needed to achieve the fine, fluffy texture of powdered sugar, so sticking with a blender or coffee grinder is your best bet.
How to Use Homemade Powdered Sugar
Homemade powdered sugar is incredibly versatile and can be used in all your favorite dessert recipes just like the store-bought version. It's perfect for making cinnamon snowball cookies, where its fine texture ensures a smooth, sweet coating. It’s also ideal for the cream cheese frosting on my pumpkin spice cupcakes, creating a creamy, fluffy finish that perfectly complements the warm spices. Whether you're dusting the top of a cake, making icing, or sweetening a dessert, you can use homemade powdered sugar in the same amounts as you would with store-bought, ensuring consistent and delicious results every time. Other recipes I use confectioners' sugar include:
- Cannoli Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
- Hershey's Chocolate Bar Sheet Cake Recipe
- Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe - (Easy DIY Gift Idea)
How to Store Powdered Sugar
Transfer your powdered sugar to an airtight container. Store the container at room temeprature in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard. Properly stored, homemade powdered sugar will stay fresh for up to three months.
Be sure not to freeze this powdered sugar substitute, as sugar is sensitive to moisture, which can cause it to harden and lose its smooth consistency.
Top tips
- For the best results, opt for a high-powered blender or a spice grinder.
- If your spice grinder has a smaller capacity, grind the sugar in batches and sift the ingredients in another bowl.
- Don't forget to add cornstarch. This prevents the sugar from clumping and helps maintain a smooth, fine texture.
- If your sugar still feels gritty or rough, grind it for a bit longer. The goal is to achieve a light, fluffy powder.
FAQ
White granulated sugar is the best option for making powdered sugar. Brown sugar contains a lot of moisture and will not get a fine consistency. You can use coconut sugar and arrowroot powder if desired.
One cup of sugar will yield approximately one cup of powdered sugar. The addition of a tablespoon of cornstarch does not significantly increase the volume.
If your powdered sugar feels gritty, you may need to grind it for a longer period. Continue blending or grinding until you achieve a smooth, fine texture.
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RECIPE
Homemade Powdered Sugar
Ingredients
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Add sugar and cornstarch to a high speed blender or spice grinder and grind for 15 seconds or until the mixture has reached the desired texture.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry area for up to 3 months.
Notes
- I do not suggest you freeze this recipe as sugar can be sensitive to moisture..
- Many spice grinders can be pretty small. If you have a smaller one, it’s fine to do it in smaller portions at a time. I tend to combine it all in a bowl and whisk or sift it anyways, just as an added “why not” step.
- Food processors, unless they have a special setting for this, will not get the sugar fine enough to make powdered sugar.
- If your sugar still feels a little gritty and rough, you may need to grind longer.
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