How to Make Powdered Sugar

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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.

Can you make your own powdered sugar? Learn how with this easy tutorial and save money!

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

Homemade powdered sugar needs only two easy-to-find ingredients to make: granulated sugar and cornstarch.

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

Imager containing recipe ingredients sugar and cornstarch.

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

Homemade powdered sugar is so easy to make! You only need 2 ingredients: granulated sugar and cornstarch!

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.

How to Make Homemade Powdered Sugar. It's easy! Just blend or process granulated sugar with cornstarch, and you're all set!

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

Can powdered sugar be made using a blender? Yes! Just whiz granulated sugar and cornstarch together, and you've got perfect homemade powdered sugar from a blender.

Are confectioners’ sugar and powdered sugar the same thing?

Yep! The two names are interchangeable.

What are the ingredients for confectioners’ sugar?

You only need two ingredients to make it – granulated sugar and cornstarch.

How many cups in a pound of powdered sugar?

One pound (which is 16 ounces) contains approximately 3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar.

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!

Can you use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar in baking?

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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