By making your own powdered sugar, you can avoid last-minute grocery store runs and have peace of mind knowing that you have all the necessary ingredients for your baking endeavors.
As someone who enjoys baking, powdered sugar is a staple ingredient in many of my recipes. However, I have found myself in situations where I assumed I had powdered sugar in my pantry, but to my dismay, I didn't. This scenario can be frustrating and cause unnecessary delays in the baking process. Fortunately, making powdered sugar at home is incredibly easy and only takes 30 seconds! All you need is granulated sugar of your choice, such as cane sugar, raw turbinado sugar, maple sugar, or coconut sugar.
When you are in a pinch and need powdered sugar, remember that you can easily make it yourself with just one ingredient and a blender or food processor.
What Sugar to Use?
If you are wondering which types of granulated sugar work best when making powdered sugar at home, there are several options to choose from. White sugar is the most commonly used and widely available option. Raw turbinado sugar and sucanat are also great options, particularly for those who prefer less processed sugars. When it comes to flavored powdered sugars, maple sugar and coconut sugar are excellent choices. Maple sugar adds a subtle maple flavor to your baked goods, while coconut sugar has a unique flavor and a subtle caramel-like sweetness.
These sugars can be used in place of traditional white sugar to create flavored powdered sugar that can add a unique twist to your recipes. However, one sugar that won't work well when making powdered sugar at home is brown sugar. This is because brown sugar is simply white sugar with molasses added to it, which makes it a bit too sticky and difficult to process into a fine powder.
If you need powdered sugar for a recipe that calls for brown sugar, it's best to buy pre-made powdered sugar or make a homemade substitute using white sugar and molasses.
Powdered Sugar vs Confectioners Sugar vs Icing Sugar
It's true that powdered sugar goes by many names around the world, including confectioners sugar and icing sugar. However, regardless of the name, they are all the same thing - finely ground sugar. Unfortunately, most commercially available powdered sugar is made from overly processed white sugar and contains low-grade cornstarch as an anti-caking agent. This means that the ingredients used in powdered sugar are not always of the highest quality.
This is where homemade powdered sugar comes in handy, as it allows you to choose the ingredients that go into your recipe. By selecting unrefined or less refined granulated sugars, you can create a powdered sugar that retains some trace minerals and adds more flavor to your recipe. For example, if you are looking for a more natural option, raw turbinado sugar or sucanat are great choices. These sugars have a light tan color and retain some of the natural molasses from the sugar cane.
This gives the resulting powdered sugar a caramel-like flavor that can enhance the taste of your baked goods. Another option is to use coconut sugar, which has a low glycemic index and a subtle caramel flavor. Maple sugar is another alternative that can add a unique flavor to your recipe.
How to Make Powdered Sugar in 30 Seconds
To make homemade powdered sugar, you will need a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix. While a food processor can work, it won't produce the same fluffy texture as a blender.
Start by adding one cup of your preferred granulated sugar and one tablespoon of starch to the blender. You can use cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca starch as an anti-caking agent.
Next, blend the mixture on high speed for about 30 seconds. The result will be a fine, powdery substance that can be used as a substitute for store-bought powdered sugar.
Using a blender ensures that your powdered sugar is light, fluffy, and clump-free. You can make as much or as little as you need, and customize the sweetness level to your liking.
This easy DIY powdered sugar is a great way to take your baking to the next level and add more flavor to your recipes.
HOW TO MAKE POWDERED SUGAR
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon tbsp arrowroot powder, or other starch
Instructions
- Place the sugar and arrowroot powder in a high-powered blender. Add the lid and blend on high for 30 seconds. You may also want to use a towel to cover the top of the blender, to prevent any powder from escaping.
- Turn the blender off and let the powdered sugar settle for at least 2 minutes. Transfer the powdered sugar to an airtight storage container.
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