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. Serve homemade powdered sugar with my easy cinnamon oatmeal blender waffles.
I love it when I’m able to do something myself and save tons of time and 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 the supermarket 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!
Why You Should Make Powdered Sugar
One of the best reasons to make powered sugar is that you likely already have the two ingredients that you need to make it, so why not save yourself the money? Plus, it’s a great kitchen trick to have up your sleeve when you need it. It’s also:
- 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 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?!
Ingredients for Homemade Powdered Sugar
- granulated sugar
- cornstarch
Note: 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.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1. 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.
Step 2. Use the sugar immediately or store for later.
Note: The more refined, whiter sugars make the fluffiest powdered sugar.
No Blender? No Problem!
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 confectioners’ 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!
FAQs
Yep! The two names are interchangeable.
You only need two ingredients to make it – granulated sugar and cornstarch.
One pound (which is 16 ounces) contains approximately 3 1/2 cups of 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!
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!
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How to Make Powdered Sugar
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.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About 1.5 cups 1x
- Category: Kitchen Hacks and Tutorials
- Method: blend
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar*
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
Note: 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.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 467
Keywords: How to make powdered sugar
Hello, Thank you for recipe. I thought raw cornstarch can give you food poisoning? Doesn’t it need to be cooked before consuming? Thanks
Hi Chloe,
If you are planning to use the powdered sugar right away, you don’t need to add cornstarch. The small amount of cornstarch is listed in this recipe for texture / consistency if you don’t use it right away. Hope this helps.
Do i have to add cornstarch if i am using it for buttercream frosting and using it 4 days
Hi there, If you’re using this right away, you can skip the cornstarch! It’s there to prevent clumping over time from moisture. But if you don’t like corn, you can also try using arrowroot starch as well. Let us know how that goes for you!
Can I replace cornstarch with regular all purpose flour..I just dont have cornstarch now
If you’re using this right away, you can skip the cornstarch! It’s there to prevent clumping over time from moisture. 🙂
How long should I have to blend it? It’s been going for several minutes and hasn’t really changed???
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. 🙂