With just two ingredients, scratch-made Powdered Sugar is a lifesaver!
Powdered sugar is one of those things that you don’t think about very much—until you bite into a perfectly dusted powdered sugar donut or a cupcake topped with buttercream frosting! And, if you’ve ever wondered exactly what it is, well, powdered sugar is simply granulated sugar ground down into—you guessed it, a powder.
Powdered sugar is the perfect consistency for dusting baked goods like donuts, coffee cakes, and lemon bars. It is also fine enough to make a smooth icing or frosting, including icing for sugar cookies or buttercream frosting for cakes and cupcakes. While most of us are used to grabbing a bag of powdered sugar at the grocery store, if you ever find yourself out of powdered sugar and need it, this recipe is a lifesaver.
You will love making your own powdered sugar because it has a simple ingredient list, comes together quickly, and you can make the exact amount you need. All that’s in any powdered sugar, whether it’s store-bought or scratch-made, is ground-up granulated sugar and some sort of anti-caking agent to prevent lumps; cornstarch is a perfect candidate.
What’s In A Name?
While powdered sugar may be the most common name for this type of sugar, you may also hear it called confectioners’ sugar, icing sugar, or even 10X sugar. The latter is just a description of how the sugar is made—it is ground up to 10 times into a very fine powder. Basically, these are all names for the same thing; you will just see variation based on brand and region of the world.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
How To Make Powdered Sugar
Step 1: Place granulated sugar and cornstarch into a blender.
Step 2: Blend on high speed for about 30 seconds to make the mixture fine and powdery. If needed, continue pulsing it until the desired consistency is reached.
Step 3: Transfer the powdered sugar to an airtight container for storage.
FAQs & Tips
How Do I Store Leftovers?
To store powdered sugar, place it in an airtight container like a mason jar and keep it at room temperature. Ideally, you want a cool, dry place to keep moisture at bay, like your kitchen cupboard. You can store powdered sugar for up to 6 months in an airtight container. Refrigeration and freezing are not recommended.
What Kind Of Blender Is Best?
A high-powered blender or food processor is best for making powdered sugar. You want maximum power to get the best grind. In a pinch, you can use an electric coffee grinder or spice grinder. If your appliance is weak or older and you don’t get a fine grind, you can sift it after grinding.
Why Are There Clumps In My Powdered Sugar?
Clumps are usually due to moisture. Always make sure your blender receptacle is thoroughly dry before starting. If that’s not the culprit, remove any big clumps and add a tiny bit more cornstarch, continuing to grind. You can also sift to remove any clumps.
Serving Suggestions
Use your homemade powdered sugar to dust Lemon Bars or homemade Cannoli Shells for cannoli. Powdered sugar is great for sweetening Whipped Cream too—it is light and fluffy enough not to weigh it down. Finally, it is the main ingredient in many different icings and frostings, including Vanilla Buttercream Icing.
How To Make Powdered Sugar
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Place granulated sugar and cornstarch into a blender.
- Blend on high speed for about 30 seconds to make the mixture fine and powdery. If needed, continue pulsing it until the desired consistency is reached.
- Transfer the powdered sugar to an airtight container for storage.
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