Homemade Powdered Sugar - Two Ways Recipe

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Homemade powdered sugar is so easy to make. All you need are two ingredients to make your own powdered white sugar or even brown sugar. Use it in recipes for your favorite cakes, cookies, glazes and frostings or dusting a homemade cake.

Brown and white powdered sugar in glass jars with some on a spoon.

I have always been able to find powdered sugar also known as icing or confectioners sugar in Italy, although it is very expensive. I also discovered that brown powdered sugar has become extremely popular and it is a wonderful alternative to white icing sugar.

Table of Contents

What is powdered sugar?

Powdered sugar, confectioners’ sugar, icing sugar or 10x sugar is granulated sugar that has been pulverized to a powder. To substitute a cup of granulated sugar use 1 3/4 cups of powdered. Although it is not recommended for all recipes.

Recipe Ingredients

Sugar – granulated or very fine sugar
Cornstarch – this keeps the sugar dry
Sugar – Demerara or Turbinado sugar

What is Demerara / Turbinado Sugar?

Unlike granulated sugar which can be derived from sugar cane or sugar beets, Demerara and Turbinado are processed from the first pressing of the sugar cane. Turbinado has a slightly larger crystal than Demerara.

How to make it

In a strong food processor or blender add the granulated

Granulated sugar & corn starch before and after powdered.

or Demerara / Turbinado sugar and the cornstarch.

Demerara sugar and cornstarch before and after powdered.

Blend or pulse until the mixture becomes a powder. Move to an airtight container and store until ready to use.

Brown and white powdered sugar in glass jars.

What is the best machine to use?

I first tried with my food processor but I didn’t find it strong enough so I changed to my strong blender which was perfect. I would recommend using a bullet, a vita mix or what I have is a higher end Moulinex blender, but no where near the price of a vita mix.

What to use it for

Italians love to dust all kinds of cakes especially a Ciambellone or Canestrelli Cookies with it. You can also use it in recipes such as Whipped Shortbread or Almond Crescents, it is of course also used for frostings and glazes.

Why use cornstarch?

Cornstarch is added to prevent caking and the sugar from clumping together. If you plan on using it immediately then you can leave it out, if not be sure to add it in, it is necessary.

Brown and white powdered sugar in glass jars with some on a spoon and some in a whisk.

Can I use brown sugar?

I would not recommend using brown sugar, as store bought brown sugar has molasses added to it which makes it damp and does not pulverize the way it should.

FAQs

How to store it

Store the powdered sugar in an airtight container in a cool area. It will keep indefinitely.

How to tell when powdered sugar has gone bad

When you see mold in the sugar, do not try to remove the mold, throw it all out. If there are bugs or insects, again throw it out. Or if the sugar smells off.

Do I need to sift it?

You don’t have to sift it although it is a good idea, that way you remove any lumps or bits of sugar that might remain, this is especially true for brown powdered sugar.

How do I know when it’s ready?

Rub the sugar between your fingers if you no longer feel any gritty bits and it feels like powder, then it’s ready.

If you are like me and you like making different things homemade then I hope you give this Homemade Powdered Sugar a try and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Recipes using Powdered Sugar