How to Make Powdered Sugar (12 cents/cup) (2024)

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Making powdered sugar is a pretty simple process. Just grind together granulated sugar and cornstarch to make a homemade alternative.

Never be at a loss for the perfect topping for Sweet Almond Toasts or the makings of Homemade Buttercream Frosting when you can make your own powdered sugar with just two ingredients!

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  • Why This Matters
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • FAQs
  • Recipe Costs
  • Delicious Frosting Recipes
  • Tell us what you think!
  • Homemade Powdered Sugar

It’s bound to happen. You think you have everything you need for the cake or frosting or cookie you were gonna make and when you go to the cupboard. Lo and behold! You don’t.

There’s not enough powdered sugar around to fulfill your destiny. There’s brown sugar. And granulated sugar. There are even sugar cubes. But no powdered sugar.

Do you run to the store? Change your plans? Go cake- or frosting- or cookie-less?

May it never be!

If you’ve got sugar and a bit of cornstarch, well, then you can make powdered sugar yourself. True story.

Why This Matters

Now making your own powdered, or confectioner’s, sugar may seem a little “extra,” as my kids would say. And I think it probably is. Especially considering the mess it makes.

But, when you’re in a pinch, I’d say it’s a mess worth making!

Ingredients

How to Make Powdered Sugar (12 cents/cup) (2)

Here’s what you need to make homemade powdered sugar:

sugar – You’ll need granulated, white sugar for this process. Some readers have reported success using sucanat as well. You’ll need to blend extra if you use a coarser sugar like that.

cornstarch – The finely ground sugar needs some kind of starch to prevent caking. If you prefer not to use cornstarch, you can use tapioca starch or arrowroot powder.

Step-by-Step Instructions

How to Make Powdered Sugar (12 cents/cup) (3)
How to Make Powdered Sugar (12 cents/cup) (4)

Making confectioner’s sugar is simple, provided you have four things:

  • granulated sugar
  • cornstarch
  • a blender or food processor
  • patience

Despite what the internet may say, powdered sugar does not come together in 30 seconds. In fact, in my experience, with a regular, sturdy blender, it takes a good five minutes of grinding to get the right texture.

Add the sugar and cornstarch to the blender. Secure the lid well. Turn on the blender and grind until you’ve achieved a fine texture. The sugar should feel soft to the touch with very little grit.

Storage

Once you’ve ground your granulated sugar into confectioner’s sugar, it’s ready to use. You can save it for later if you like, just store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

FAQs

What is powdered sugar used for?

Powdered sugar is also called confectioner’s sugar; it is granulated sugar that has been ground into a very fine powder. Cornstarch is added to help it prevent clumping. Ground so fine, powdered sugar dissolves quite easily, making it ideal for frosting, icings, glazes, and candy. It’s also used to dust over baked goods.

Can I use regular sugar instead of confectioner’s sugar?

Regular, granulated sugar doesn’t dissolve in the same way as powdered sugar, so it won’t work as a substitute unless you grind it into confectioner’s sugar yourself. Thankfully, it’s a pretty easy process.

Recipe Costs

The following are non-sale prices at a mid-range, US grocery store:

  • commercial confectioner’s sugar: $0.37/cup
  • granulated sugar: $0.22/cup
  • cornstarch: $0.02/tablespoons

One batch of confectioner’s sugar requires 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch for a total cost of $0.24 cents. This produces two cups of confectioner’s sugar. This means that 1 cup of homemade costs just 12 cents, about a third the cost of commercial powdered sugar.

It’s cheaper to make your own confectioner’s sugar!

If you have the patience and the time to grind your own sugar, it could be a money-saver for you. Not a lot of course, but sometimes every little bit helps.

How to Make Powdered Sugar (12 cents/cup) (5)

Delicious Frosting Recipes

  • Sweet Cream Cheese
  • Lemon Sauce for Desserts
  • Orange Buttercream Frosting
  • Chocolate Frosting Without Powdered Sugar

How to Make Powdered Sugar (12 cents/cup) (10)

Tell us what you think!

We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

How to Make Powdered Sugar (12 cents/cup) (11)

Homemade Powdered Sugar

Making powdered sugar is a pretty simple process. Just grind together granulated sugar and cornstarch to make a homemade alternative.

4.80 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 7 minutes minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Calories: 402kcal

Author: Jessica Fisher

Cost: $0.24

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Place the sugar and cornstarch in a blender. Secure the lid.

    1 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • Turn the blender on and grind until a fine texture is achieved, up to 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed to make sure all the sugar is ground.

  • Store the sugar in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until ready to use.

Notes

Nutritional values are approximate and based on 2 cups. Store sugar in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.

Nutrition

Calories: 402kcal | Carbohydrates: 104g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 2mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 100g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.

This post was originally published on April 25, 2020. It has been updated for content and clarity.

How to Make Powdered Sugar (12 cents/cup) (2024)

FAQs

How much sugar do I need to make a cup of powdered sugar? ›

(Half a cup of regular sugar will produce one cup of powdered sugar). Pour sugar into a high-powered blender. If using, add cornstarch. Blend on high until sugar is fine and fluffy (about 30 seconds).

How to make powdered sugar? ›

The magic ratio is 1 cup granulated sugar to 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Combine the two in a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, a food processor, or spice grinder, then blitz away until you have a soft, powdery consistency—the total time could be several minutes, depending on the power of your machine.

Does 1 cup powdered sugar equal 1 cup granulated sugar? ›

Generally, it's recommended to use 1 cup of granulated sugar for 1 3/4 cups of powdered sugar. A more accurate (and easier) way to substitute the sugars is based on weight, not volume. If a recipe calls for 1 cup of powdered sugar (4 ounces, or 113 grams), you should use 4 ounces of granulated sugar.

What do I do if I run out of powdered sugar? ›

If you don't, or you've run out with no time to run to the store, there is a way to make your own powdered sugar. All you need is regular granulated sugar and some sort of grinding mechanism, like a blender, food processor or even a coffee grinder. Ingredients: As much granulated sugar as you need powdered sugar (ex.

What can I use if I don't have powdered sugar? ›

If you don't have powdered sugar on hand, but you have regular granulated sugar, you can grind it in a blender or a food processor until it reaches a powdery consistency.

Is 2 cups of powdered sugar 16 oz? ›

Powdered sugar right out of the box or the plastic bag weighs 4 1/2 ounces per cup, so a 1-pound box (or 16 ounces) contains about 3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar. If a recipe calls for sifted powdered sugar, weigh out 4 ounces of sifted powdered sugar to equal 1 dry measuring cup.

Can you make powdered sugar by just blending sugar? ›

Pour granulated sugar into a blender or food processor. Blend the sugar until it is a fine, fluffy powdered sugar. The more refined, whiter sugars make the fluffiest powdered sugars. Use powdered sugar immediately or save it for later.

Is there a difference between confectioners sugar and powdered sugar? ›

No. Although the terms are often colloquially used interchangeably, they are not the same. Powdered sugar is similar to confectioners' sugar but without the cornstarch. Because the words are often mistaken for each other, you will even find "powdered sugar" in the grocery store that is actually confectioners' sugar.

Is it cheaper to make or buy powdered sugar? ›

One batch of confectioner's sugar requires 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch for a total cost of $0.24 cents. This produces two cups of confectioner's sugar. This means that 1 cup of homemade costs just 12 cents, about a third the cost of commercial powdered sugar.

How do you convert sugar to powdered sugar? ›

1 cup granulated sugar makes about 1 2/3 cups powdered sugar. Scale recipe as needed. A high power blender, spice grinder, or food processor is best for making this. If the motor isn't strong enough it will struggle to blend the sugar extra fine.

Does powdered sugar go bad? ›

Even though the shelf life of sugar is indefinite, granulated sugar is best when used within 3 years of purchase and powdered sugar is best when used within 2 years of purchase.

What is the healthiest alternative to sugar? ›

Stevia and monk fruit are both naturally derived from plants and some people feel they have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. The FDA says these sweeteners are “generally regarded as safe,” which means they are safe to use for their intended purpose.

How to make powdered sugar from scratch? ›

Add the granulated sugar and cornstarch to a powerful blender or food processor, and blend for 30 seconds, until the sugar is white and fluffy. Use it right away, or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for later use. If it's lumpy, be sure to sift it before you use it. That's it!

How to turn granulated sugar into powdered sugar without a blender? ›

You can also use a coffee grinder, spice grinder, or mortar and pestle, but it may take a bit longer to process. Grind for 1–2 minutes until the sugar transforms into a fine white powder, then sift through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining large granules.

What happens if you use regular sugar instead of powdered? ›

"This means, cup for cup, there would be more sugar in a cup of powdered sugar than in a cup of regular sugar." In addition to inconsistent measurements, regular sugar won't dissolve and mix as well into recipes like frosting and icing. You'll end up with a grainy, unappealing texture.

How do you measure granulated sugar to powdered sugar? ›

Powdered sugar and granulated sugar are measured the same way. Granulated and powdered sugar should be spooned into a dry measuring cup and leveled off with a straight edge. Test Kitchen Tip: Be sure to stir the sugar first to remove clumps.

How many cups of powdered sugar are in a 32 oz bag of powdered sugar? ›

The usual 32-ounce package (2 pounds) of powdered sugar has about 7½ cups of powdered sugar. Whether you're an experienced pastry chef or a beginner home baker, the art of making sweet and savory baked treats all comes down to using the exact quantity of an ingredient.

Is it cheaper to make powdered sugar? ›

One batch of confectioner's sugar requires 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch for a total cost of $0.24 cents. This produces two cups of confectioner's sugar. This means that 1 cup of homemade costs just 12 cents, about a third the cost of commercial powdered sugar.

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