Learn how to make powdered sugar at home! Also known as confectioner's sugar, it's the secret to making gooey brownies, luscious frosting, and more.
Who else has a bag of powdered sugar in their pantry that they’ve been working through for years? Powdered sugar isn’t something I use often, but every once in a while, I need a cup to make perfect gooey brownies or luscious cream cheese frosting. When I add it to the grocery list, I dread watching another bag sit in the cupboard as I make my way through it at an agonizing pace.
But all that’s about to change! I don’t know what took me so long, but I finally learned how to make powdered sugar at home. Seriously, this recipe’s a game changer. Gone are the days of hauling an ancient sack of confectioner’s sugar (yes, they’re the same!) out of the pantry every time I make carrot cake. Now, I can make the exactly the amount of powdered sugar I need for a given recipe. And the best part? It only requires 2 ingredients and 1 minute.
How to Make Powdered Sugar
To make powdered sugar at home, you’ll need two ingredients: granulated sugar and cornstarch. Use 1 tablespoon cornstarch for every cup of sugar. My recipe below calls for 2 cups sugar, but feel free to scale it up or down depending on the size of your blender and the quantity of powdered sugar you need. Expect the amount of sugar you start with to double. For example, if you start with 2 cups granulated sugar, you’ll end up with 4 cups confectioner’s sugar.
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!
Favorite Powdered Sugar Recipes
So you learned how to make powdered sugar…now what do you do with it?
First and foremost, confectioner’s sugar is what makes icings and frostings thick and sweet. Find it in my vegan frosting recipe, or in the glazes and icings that accompany these baked goods:
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Best Carrot Cake
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake
- Vegan Sugar Cookies
- Easy Sugar Cookies
- Vegan Raspberry Scones
It’s also a valuable ingredient in certain baked goods. For example, it enhances the chewy, fudgy texture of these homemade brownies and these vegan brownies.
Last but not least, a dusting of confectioner’s sugar adds a little extra something to any stack of pancakes or French toast. Sprinkle it over my classic French toast, this French toast bake, or any of these pancake recipes:
Yum!
More Easy Baking Basics
If you loved learning how to make powdered sugar, try making these baking basics next:
How to Make Powdered Sugar
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
Instructions
- Place the sugar and cornstarch in a high speed blender and blend for 30 seconds or until fluffy.
- Store in an airtight container. If the powdered sugar gets lumpy, sift before using.
I figure this recipe will save me tens of dollars over the next few decades. Lord knows those outrageous grocery store prices on powdered sugar are what could have could have sent us to the poorhouse.
How-to’s like this are useful for those of us who live miles out in the sticks, where it takes literally a couple of hours to “zip to the store and back” only to buy some confectioners sugar.
Do you need to use the corn starch? Can it be made without it?
I didnt realize that corn starch was in powdered sugar. I have no issues with using corn starch, but I am curious as to why it is put in at all? Thanks.
Cornstarch is an added ingredient to keep it from caking. It’s also and ingredient in many spices for that same reason.
to prevent caking
My confectionery sugar came out granny
Hi Austin, if you blend it longer, it’ll get powdery.
Hi, not sure if its just my problem, but when I blend the sugar (with or without cornstarch, the smell and taste is really weird. I tried making glaze out of it, and the taste was really odd, even when I added vanilla. Is something wrong?
Hi Sarah, that’s odd – I imagine you’ve already checked that your sugar is fresh and it’s a brand you like. Maybe it’s coming from the blender? If the blender canister is plastic, it could have picked up scents of ingredients that you’ve previously blended?
For anyone that doesn’t have a vitamix or food processor, I just used a cheap 10$ coffee grinder. I did it in smaller batches but it worked perfect. Not sure about anyone else but lately when I buy powdered sugar it always tastes like soap. So being able to make it, is a godsend. The only thing I did different was I used caster sugar since that’s what I had so I didn’t have to process as long to get the right texture.
Great to know! Thanks for sharing that, Jenn.
Worked great for a chocolate cream cheese frosting. I used my vitamix. It was a little grainy but that’s my fault since I only blended it for 10-15 seconds. Recommend to actually follow the recipe and blend for 30 seconds!
I’m so glad it worked out well!
Kathi,
My box of store bought powdered sugar lists Sugar and Cornstarch as the only ingredients….nothing in the store version would have prevented what happened to your shortbread bars.
I made some raspberry shortbread bars and realized I did not have confectioners sugar which was supposed to be dusted on the top as soon as it came out of the oven. I made this recipe, looked great, but when I dusted it on top of the bars, it immediately melted – and looked a coating of cloudy melted sugar – not in an attractive way. If this was not meant to be put on something warm, the recipe should have said so.
Hi Kathleen, store bought powdered sugar would have done the same thing. The raspberry bar recipe should have specified to let them cool first.
Tried this recipe and was not happy, way to grainy
It turned my frosting into a cookie dough texture. Not sure why, I grinded it a long time.
Hi Gonna make this soon can I use cornflour as I do not know if cornstarch and cornflour is the same thing
Hi Shruti, it’s not the same, cornstarch is required for this one.
Cornflour is what they call cornstarch in the UK. It is the same.
Hi Jeanine! Would it work to use organic cane sugar in place of the granulated sugar?
Hi Tiena, yep! It works great.
I bake cakes that need to Vegan. Vegan sugar is easy to get but powdered sugar is not always convenient.
This recipe is just what I needed, thank you!
Definitely recommend a Vita Mixer for this.
After being 5 tbsp for a recipe and not having it, I found this recipe!
Perfect for using in my chocolate whipped cream. Saved the day! Thank you
I’m so glad it worked out well!
Yes yes yes!!! So yummy and easy!
I’m so glad it worked out well for you!
Do I have to use cornstarch if using it in few hours or next day?
Can I sub the cornstarch for half the amount of coconut flour? If not what can I use?
Hi Missy, no coconut flour will throw off the ratio in your baking recipe. Another starch could work like arrowroot.
I was hooping the recipe didn’t call for cornstarch! Grandchild allergic to it.
Sounds like you can use something like arrowroot instead!
This is really easy, and so good. Thanks for the recipe
WOW! Thank you for this recipe. I don’t use powdered sugar much but when I do I have to buy a new box (or pack if all available) b/c the old has been around too long. Now I can make only what I need! Awesome!!
Ha, I feel the same way :). I’m so glad it’s helpful!
So quick so easy so good
Thank you