You can make powdered sugar at home with this easy step by step tutorial! Also called confectioner’s sugar, this finely ground white sugar is an important part of many of your favorite frostings, cookies, and all types of desserts.
Whether you’re in a pinch for a last minute icing recipe, or simply want to experiment with the soothing experience of creating this fine, fluffy blended sugar, you’re going to be surprised how easy this is!
Two ingredients and just a couple minutes… that’s all you need. It’s that simple – I promise!
Confectioner’s sugar is one of those items that tends to go unnoticed in your pantry. In fact, I’m not the best at gauging how much I actually have in our storage container when I do remember to take a glance.
It might not be something you use often, but it’s a pantry staple here. We use it for many of my favorite icing recipes, and for certain cookies, brownies and more!
This is another one of those baking guides that I should have brought you years ago – it’s so simple! I can’t believe I haven’t shared it until now.
Use the drop down Table of Contents menu to navigate your way through this post. It’s filled with simple tips, tricks and a tutorial for how to make powdered sugar at home!
What is Confectioner’s Sugar?
Powdered sugar (also called confectioner’s sugar) is an incredibly smooth, fluffy and fine version of traditional white granulated sugar.
Confectioner’s sugar helps thicken and sweeten frostings and icings into creamy, fluffy concoctions. It’s a requirement for that perfectly smooth finish you’re craving in all your best dessert recipes!
It can also be used in some cookie recipes and other desserts, too. Stick around for a great list of all my favorite ways to use this creamy, fluffy sugar!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Sugar – This tutorial performs best with white granulated sugar.
- Cornstarch – To help with the smooth, fluffy texture. It also helps keep the sugar dry as you blend it into a finer texture.
Variations
- Sub the classic white granulated sugar with cane sugar, turbinado sugar or coconut sugar.
Equipment
You’ll need a small powerful blender or food processor. You can try a spice grinder, bullet blender, Vitamix or even food processor.
Experiment with your equipment to see what works best – for us, it was this powerful blender. Looking for the other items pictured throughout this post?
How to Make Powdered Sugar
- Add granulated sugar and cornstarch to your blender or food processor.
- Blend together until fine, around 4-5 minutes in total.
- Be sure to pause every minute or so, run your fingers through to see if it feels too gritty, and run your spatula around the sides to eliminate any clumps and granules.
Tips
- Keep in mind that the most refined, white sugars will create the fluffiest powdered sugars.
- Use one tablespoon of cornstarch for every cup of white granulated sugar.
- If you’re making just enough powdered sugar for a recipe, expect the amount of granulated sugar you start with to double. One cup of granulated sugar = two cups of powdered sugar after blending.
- To prevent powdered sugar from hardening, place it in an airtight container or cover original package tightly to seal.
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but the method is tedious. You’ll just need a mortar and pestle to grind the granulated sugar into a fine, smooth confectioner’s sugar.
Yes, you can! Simply follow the directions without adding the additional tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of granulated sugar.
Confectioner’s Sugar Uses
Let me count the ways! Here are a few of my favorite recipes that require powdered sugar.
Desserts
- Homemade Whipped Cream
- Eggnog Whipped Cream
- Cream Cheese Mints
- Snowball Cookies
- Gooey Butter Cookies
- Gooey Butter Cake
- Brown Butter Crinkle Cookies
- Homemade Hot Chocolate
- Amish Sugar Cookies
Frosting and Icing Recipes
- Cinnamon Frosting
- Salted Caramel Frosting
- Brown Butter Frosting
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Sugar Cookie Buttercream
- Cinnamon Roll Icing
- Caramel Icing
- Orange Glaze
- Marshmallow Icing
- Apple Butter Icing
- Fruit Pizza Icing
- Apple Glaze
- Lemon Glaze
Dietary Considerations
- Nut Free
- Gluten Free
- Vegetarian
How to Store
- Room Temperature – Powdered sugar can be stored in an airtight container in a cool dark place (like your pantry or cabinets) indefinitely. It has a long shelf life!
- Refrigerator – Because it lasts so well on the shelf, there’s not much reason to refrigerate powdered sugar. It can also absorb odors and moisture in the refrigerator.
- Freezer – You can freeze powdered sugar indefinitely (wrapped in an airtight package), but because it has such a great shelf life, it’s not necessary.
More Kitchen Guides
How to Make Powdered Sugar
Ingredients
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Add granulated sugar and cornstarch to your blender or food processor.
- Blend together until fine, around 4-5 minutes in total.
- Be sure to pause every minute or so, run your fingers through to see if it feels too gritty, and run your spatula around the sides to eliminate any clumps and granules.
Julie’s Tips
- Use one tablespoon of cornstarch for every cup of white granulated sugar.
- If you’re making just enough powdered sugar for a recipe, expect the amount of granulated sugar you start with to double. One cup of granulated sugar = two cups of powdered sugar after blending.
- To prevent powdered sugar from hardening, place it in an airtight container or cover original package tightly to seal.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Can you use sugar substitute instead of reg sugar
I haven’t tested it, but if you do, let me know!