Learn how to make powdered sugar with this simple, 2 ingredient recipe! Save money on confectioners’ sugar by making it with a blender or coffee grinder. One of the many ways you can use a blender!
I love it when I’m able to do something myself and save tons of time and money (click here for more on saving money).
Like cutting a whole pineapple? That’s $5 saved.
Or making my own oat flour? That’s 30 minutes AND $3 at least because I’m not driving to Whole Foods through Atlanta traffic.
Even homemade apple cider vinegar. What else are you going to do with apple cores and peels other than throwing them away?!
For the same reasons, I’ve been making another baking staple for years – here’s how to make powdered sugar!
How to Make Powdered Sugar
You may wonder why you should know how to make powdered sugar, but if you’ve ever been in the middle of a recipe and needed some, and realized you didn’t have any in the pantry, you already know why!
It’s handy to have little tricks like this up your sleeve, but I also like making it myself because it’s:
- Fast.
- Easy.
- Healthier than store-bought.
- Cheaper than buying it at the store…
- And you only need two ingredients!
I’ve used this recipe for years in all sorts of recipes like healthier sugar cookies, or no-bake brownie bites and it turns out perfectly every time! The Harvard School of Public Health definitely says to limit how much sugar we eat, but sometimes it’s so nice to sprinkle a little powdered sugar on warm and toasty waffles as a special treat, don’t you think?!
Are confectioners’ sugar and powdered sugar the same thing?
Yep!
What are the ingredients for confectioners’ sugar?
You only need two ingredients to make it:
- Granulated sugar
- Cornstarch
You can use just about any granulated sugar, although sugar that doesn’t contain a lot of molasses – like white granulated sugar, cane sugar, raw sugar (Turbinado and Demerara) – typically work best.
Can you make your own powdered sugar?
Yes! Here’s the super simple method:
- Add the granulated sugar and cornstarch to your machine of choice (usually a blender or food processor).
- Blend/process until the sugar is superfine and has the texture of powdered sugar.
How to make powdered sugar without a blender:
If you don’t have a blender, a food processor will work too. Depending on the capacity of your machine, you might have to make a bigger batch at one time.
Another option is a coffee grinder!
How to make powdered sugar with a coffee grinder:
Follow the same steps as above, although adjust the quantity to fit your coffee grinder. Be sure you clean your coffee grinder beforehand to avoid the transfer of flavors!
How to make powdered sugar by hand (without a machine):
Unless your hand is a machine, this isn’t to be the best route. A mortar and pestle would be the best option, but that’s very labor-intensive and time-consuming!
Baking with powdered sugar: can you use regular sugar instead?
Not always! It really depends on what you’re baking, but as a recipe developer myself, there’s a reason why I would call for it in a recipe.
Fortunately, you can make your own powdered sugar in a jiffy!
Can I substitute brown sugar for powdered sugar?
Probably not. Brown sugar contains molasses, which adds a dark, rich flavor to your baked goods. If a recipe calls for brown sugar, there’s likely a reason why!
Other Kitchen Hacks and Tutorials:
- Homemade Oat Flour
- DIY All-Purpose Flour
- How to Make Flour Without a Grain Mill
- 24 Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks
- 14 Easy Baking Hacks for the Home Baker
- 30+ Creative Ways to Use a KitchenAid Mixer
- 1 cup granulated sugar*
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a blender, food processor or coffee grinder and blend until the sugar is superfine and a fluffy powdered sugar.
- Use the sugar immediately or store for later.
- * Note: The more refined, whiter sugars make the fluffiest powdered sugar.
Thanks for the recipe! Just curious, any thoughts on why corn starch is added?
Cornstarch is in store-bought powdered sugar, and it helps to prevent clumping. 🙂