How to Make Powdered Sugar

Quickly make confectioners sugar from granulated sugar using a blender or food processor. Use as a replacement for powdered sugar in all your favorite recipes and treats!

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 busy 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 CONFECTIONERS SUGAR

One of the best reasons to make confectioners sugar, or powdered sugar, is that you likely already have the two ingredients that you need to make it, so why not save yourself the money? It’s also:

• Fast
• Easy
• Healthier than store-bought
• Cheaper than buying it at the store…
• And did I mention you only need two ingredients?
• Plus, it’s a great kitchen trick to have up your sleeve when you need it!

I’ve used this homemade confectioners sugar for years in all sorts of recipes like Healthier Sugar Cookies and No-Bake Brownie Bites, and it turns out perfectly every time!

As we’ve lessened our sugar intake, we mostly stick to treats we make ourselves and keep them for special occasions. Sometimes it’s so nice to sprinkle a little powdered sugar on warm and toasty waffles as a special treat, don’t you think?!

HOMEMADE POWDERED SUGAR RECIPE INGREDIENTS

• Granulated Sugar. White table sugar, turbinado sugar, raw cane sugar, and even coconut sugar work.
• Cornstarch. Or use tapioca starch or arrowroot starch.

If you are using your homemade powdered sugar right away, you don’t need to add the cornstarch. It is there to absorb moisture and prevent clumping over time. If you’re making a larger batch to use multiple times, add the cornstarch to keep your confectioners sugar airy and smooth.as a special treat, don’t you think?!

HOW TO MAKE POWDERED SUGAR

Step 1. Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a high-powered 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 it in an airtight container in the pantry for later.

Note: The more refined, whiter sugars make the fluffiest powdered sugar.

OTHER METHODS TO MAKE CONFECTIONERS SUGAR

• Use a food processor for confectioners sugar. If you don’t have a powerful 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 for the blades to process it properly.
• Make icing sugar with a coffee grinder. Another option is a coffee grinder or spice grinder. Follow the same steps as above, adjusting 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). A mortar and pestle would be the best option, but that’s very labor-intensive and time-consuming! It’s probably doable, but this isn’t going to be the best route.

CONFECTIONERS SUGAR ICING SUGAR TIPS

• The sugar will increase in size after blending. If you start with 2 cups of granulated sugar, you’ll end up with 3 to 3 ½ cups of powdered sugar.
• You CAN make powder sugar using just granulated sugar and skip the corn starch IF you are using it right away. The corn starch prevents it from clumping if you are storing it for later use.

HOW TO USE CONFECTIONERS’ SUGAR

This homemade icing sugar substitute is perfect for all sorts of recipes calling for powdered sugar!

• Healthier Sugar Cookies
• Lemon Blueberry Scones
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
• Strawberry Poke Cake
• Quick 1-Hour Cinnamon Rolls
• Sprinkle over the top of Cinnamon Oatmeal Blender Waffles or Sheet Pan Pancakes
• Also used for glazes, whipped cream, cream cheese frosting, and buttercreams!

DO REAL FOODIES EVEN EAT CONFECTIONERS SUGAR?

If we’ve been working on lowering our sugar intake, why even talk about making homemade powdered sugar?

Eating real food is a lifestyle. We’re not on a diet here, folks!

What we can do is make sure that our treats are made with simple, real food ingredients (like this 2-ingredient confectioners sugar mixture) and that we enjoy them intentionally and in moderation.

So we’re still going to make a yummy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Cake for a birthday. But I’ll have one slice with dinner that I track in my fitness app.

And if you usually have Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas breakfast, you should still enjoy that delicious tradition! (And make sure you’re still eating protein and produce alongside.)

You have plenty of options for including your favorite foods and sweet treats in a way that fits with your nutrition goals.

Want to learn more about macros, nutrition goals, and accurately tracking what you eat? Grab my free guide here to start achieving your real body goals by eating the foods you love.

ICING SUGAR CONFECTIONERS SUGAR FAQS

MORE KITCHEN HACKS AND TUTORIALS

• How to Make Brown Sugar
• Homemade Oat Flour
• DIY All-Purpose Flour
• How to Make Flour Without a Grain Mill
• 28 Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks
• 14 Easy Baking Hacks for the Home Baker
• 40+ Creative Ways to Use a Stand Mixer