Hello from Israel! I am having the greatest time exploring the country with Lee, Emily, Ben and Jessa and the wonderful people who run Vibe Israel, the non-profit organization that invited us over. I’ve been sharing photos on Instagram if you’re interested!
Since I’m away from my kitchen and the holidays are fast approaching, I thought I’d share a super simple tutorial on how to make your own powdered sugar out of less refined sugars. It’s a great option for vegans or anyone who needs powdered sugar in a pinch!
It’s ridiculously easy to make powdered sugar at home in your blender or food processor. Powdered sugar (which you may know as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar) has a bad reputation because it’s usually made out of super refined sugar and mixed with corn starch to prevent caking. You can skip the corn starch when you make it at home.
You can use any granulated sugar you have in your cabinets, like the coconut sugar I bought recently at Trader Joe’s. Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than other sugars and actually contains trace minerals like iron and zinc, so it’s a slightly less unhealthy sugar than regular table sugar.
I don’t usually advocate for sugar consumption buuuut I firmly believe that life’s too short to go without the occasional glazed treat. My favorites include this maple tea cake and these vegan pumpkin scones. Oh so good!
How to Make Powdered Sugar
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 1 min
- Total Time: 1 min
- Category: Tutorial
Homemade powdered sugar is so easy to make! Learn how in this simple tutorial. Use any sugar you have on hand (healthier options like coconut sugar and turbinado sugar work great!).
Ingredients
- Approximately half as much granulated sugar as you need powdered sugar (I’ve had best results with cane sugar, turbinado sugar and coconut sugar but even brown sugar and sucanat work!)
Instructions
- 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. You may want to sift the sugar before use for clump free, super fluffy sugar.
Notes
Make it vegan: Use sugar that is labeled vegan/hasn’t been filtered through bone char.
Emily says
Goodness, I’ve never even thought to try this! What a great idea and just in time for the holidays. Thank you! Israel looks fantastic!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
How have I not done this before?! I was totally creeped out when I found out how/why some sugars aren’t vegan, so this is a perfect solution!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
Amazing trick! I’ll remember this the next time I run out :)
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
if you are using it instantly, like you said there is no need for corn starch, i have used it several times and it works like a charm. i cant wait to hear about your trip.
Tobie says
I’ll be in Israel in just a few weeks. I’d love to hear more about your trip.
Kate says
Hey Tobie! Where are you going in Israel? We spent most of our time in Tel Aviv, but spent a couple of nights up north in a beautiful resort, and also visited the Dead Sea. If you’re going to Tel Aviv, I definitely have some restaurant recommendations for you. I wish we could have gone to Jerusalem, but it was a little too tumultuous for our tour guides’ comfort.
Melanie says
This is brilliant! I have been avoiding conventional icing sugar, thereby not making some of our favourite recipes. Thank you!
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Kate says
You’re welcome, Melanie! Enjoy. :)
Pamela says
Exactly, I can’t stand supermarket confectioner’s sugar. It’s horrifying, and never ceases to amaze me the people that eat it in frostings like it’s manna!
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Elizabeth says
I love this! I wanted to prepare a recipe the other day but was totally out of powdered sugar. Next time I will just make my own! Loving the pics on Instagram by the way. :)
Rachael says
This is so cool! I might never buy powdered sugar again… yay! I can’t wait to try it, it looks SO simple!!! P.S. Have fun in Israel! :)
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Kate says
Thanks, Rachael! :)
Holly says
This worked in a pinch, thank you. However, the sugar was not as fine as powdered, so the recipe was a little grainy. I used white sugar. Maybe I should of blended it longer?
Kate says
Hey Holly! Yes, it sounds to me like your powdered sugar could have used some more time in the blender.
Dorrian Winton says
How long? I’m making it now and it’s taking a really long time
lisa @Garlic+Zest says
I’ve seen this done before, but have never had the occasion to do it myself. I do have a big thing of turbinado sugar in my pantry. Hmmm. What can I glaze?
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
Thanks for this post! I have been avoiding recipes that call for powdered sugar because I don’t want to buy a whole box of something I rarely use. This will be perfect for those occasions!
Kate says
You’re welcome, Lisa! Glad you appreciate it!
Midge says
Hi, I’m going to try your recipe.
Now I’m wondering if you have a good substitute for corn syrup?
Thanks
Kate says
Hi Midge, corn syrup has some unique properties that make it difficult to replace, so I just avoid recipes with corn syrup altogether. You might be able to substitute honey or maple syrup in some recipes.
john holm says
Talk about perfect timing! Christmas is right around the corner, so I’ll definitely do this! Thanks for sharing :)
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Valerie says
Have a wonderful time here! If you get a chance – go to Meshek Barzilay in Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv. It’s a wonderful vegan/vegetarian restaurant based on organic produce – delicious!
Kate says
Thanks, Valerie! I was on a tour with no free time and they didn’t take us to Meshek Barzilay. :( I want to go back to Israel, so I’ll save it for next time!
Leigha @ The Yooper Girl says
It’s this easy?!?! Wow! Can’t wait to try it!
mrsdmk says
Between finding out a few days ago how to make my own tomato paste & this…easy DIY powdered sugar lately I’ve been coming across some great cooking tips this week! Like someone else in the comments I am planning to make a recipe that needs powdered sugar & am all out. It’s been snowing all day /evening and I already walked to the nearest store twice today and definitely don’t want to do it tomorrow either so will be using this tip…hope this is as easy as it looks!
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Kate says
Glad you found it! Hope your powdered sugar turned out great.
Jackie says
I sue this method and it tastes great and there no additives which i love .
Kate says
Thank you, Jackie!
Clara says
This recipe is amazing! My sister can’t have sugar, but this makes it possible to make sugar-free powdered sugar and opens up so many new recipes for me to make her!
Teresa says
yeh, so you basically just saved Christmas for me! i doubt any stores are open and i ran out. thank you so much from Maryland USA.
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Kate says
Happy to help, Teresa! Happy holidays. :)
FRANCESCA says
Great recipe :)))
Kate says
Thank you!
Terry says
Great trick. I was about to make a recipe this morning and it called for powered sugar like icing sugar which I do not have. So I looked up how to make powered sugar and came upon this site. I used raw cane sugar. Worked like a charm.
Kate says
Thank you, Terry! Glad it worked for you!
Mickey Smith says
I was looking for a recipe for red powdered sugar or different colors to make puppychow for different holidays but cannot find one. Any ideas? Mickey
bea says
maybe you can get sanding sugar (cake supply stores usually have it in lots of colors) and imitate this process :)
Rebekah says
How long should I have the coconut sugar in the food processor before it is considered powdered? I’ve been running it for a few minutes and it doesn’t look much different.
Minna says
Thanks so much for this! I’m looking for sugar alternatives for baking, and am going to try this with Natvia (erythritol/stevia blend) to see how it works for frosting. Thanks again! :-)
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Zai Dimaandal says
Yeys i made it!and it’s perfect for my choco crinkles…thanks to my blender :-D and #cookieandkate ..god bless
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Mimi says
Just made powdered sugar according to your directions! Thanks so much for saving me a trip to the store! It was also interesting to learn about coconut sugar’s lower glycemic level. Good info!
Kaeli Davis says
Wow! That is incredibly simple. I just ran out of powered sugar, and needed some for a recipe. Now I don’t have to run to the store. Thank you, I will definitely use this again.
Is it healthier than store bought?
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Kate says
It could be, depending on the sugar you used! I use organic cane sugar, so I end up with higher quality powdered sugar.
Bess says
So this absolutely did not work with regular granulated white sugar. I poured in about a cup or so while the processor was on high, let it go for over 5 minutes and still had granulated sugar. So bummed!
Paige says
Try using a blender or I used a NutriBullet and it worked great.
Paige says
I was out of powdered sugar, and I needed a quick frosting. I have made brown sugar before so I got to exploring if you could make powdered sugar. Thank goodness I found your recipe, it worked out great!!!!!!
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Neha Ahmed says
I always do this but it doesn’t turn out so fluffy, it’s still a little rough and nor that fine even after passing it through a sieve.
Akiva says
I used my coffee grinder for this purpose and it worked perfectly just like the stuff from the store
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chromosone says
yummy psui
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Angela says
Thanks for taking the time to post. One question is HOW LONG should I let the sugar process in the food processor? I left it about 10 minutes on high, and while it got finer than refined cane sugar, it wasn’t nearly as fine as powdered. Any tips for next time?
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Jean P says
Many thanks for sharing. I’m allergic to corn& only partially able to skip sweets. Extra thanks for the TJ tip.
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Debbie says
Did this in a pinch yesterday to top my Jelly Doughnuts. (Try getting confectioners sugar on Christmas Day. Nope – the convenience store was out. It worked beautifully. Question: If using corn starch, how much per cup of sugar and how long will it keep? Should it be refrigerated? Thank you.
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Nikki says
This dosent wreak your blender? I have a Ninja. Will it work with that ?or should I use the bullet single serve blender attachment that came with the blender?????
Kate says
Sorry, I have never used a Ninja, but I don’t think that sugar will wreck your blender.
Leeroy mudhikwa says
Great. Worked perfectly
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Kate says
Awesome!
Terri Sortor says
Worked like a dream in my VitaMix!
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Kate says
Yes! I’m glad.
leona says
Why when I do this it comes out somewhat grainy? No matter how long I blend it. I have also tried a food processor.
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Kate says
Hi Leona, I’m sorry to hear that. I’m not quite sure what to suggest since I’ve never encountered that issue. Some other sites suggest adding a bit of cornstarch to the sugar to help preserve its fluffiness over time, but I’m not sure that would help your blending issue. Wish I knew what to suggest, short of buying new equipment!
Kate says
I have always used the organic turbinado sugar. Will be using this to make my powdered sugar!!
Thank you
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Kate says
Yes! Who knew it was so simple? Thanks, Kate.
Trisha says
Awesome! Thank you!
Kate says
You’re welcome, Trisha!
Mary says
Do you think I could make powdered sugar out of Splenda? Or some other artifical sweetener?
Kate says
I’m not sure, Mary! I haven’t tried that.