How to make caster sugar without blender

Learn how to make powdered sugar with this simple, 2 ingredient recipe! Save money on confectioners’ sugar by making it with a blender or coffee grinder. Serve homemade powdered sugar with my easy cinnamon oatmeal blender waffles.

How to make caster sugar without blender

I love it when I’m able to do something myself and save tons of time and money.

Like cutting a whole pineapple? That’s $5 saved.

Or making my own oat flour? That’s 30 minutes AND $3 at least because I’m not driving to the supermarket through Atlanta traffic.

Even homemade apple cider vinegar. What else are you going to do with apple cores and peels other than throwing them away?!

For the same reasons, I’ve been making another baking staple for years – here’s how to make powdered sugar!

Why You Should Make Powdered Sugar

How to make caster sugar without blender

One of the best reasons to make powered sugar is that you likely already have the two ingredients that you need to make it, so why not save yourself the money? Plus, it’s a great kitchen trick to have up your sleeve when you need it. It’s also:

  • Fast.
  • Easy.
  • Healthier than store-bought.
  • Cheaper than buying it at the store…
  • And you only need two ingredients!

I’ve used this recipe for years in all sorts of recipes like healthier sugar cookies, or no-bake brownie bites and it turns out perfectly every time! The Harvard School of Public Health says to limit how much sugar we eat, but sometimes it’s so nice to sprinkle a little powdered sugar on warm and toasty waffles as a special treat, don’t you think?!

Ingredients for Homemade Powdered Sugar

How to make caster sugar without blender

  • granulated sugar
  • cornstarch

Note: You can use just about any granulated sugar, although sugar that doesn’t contain a lot of molasses – like white granulated sugar, cane sugar, raw sugar (Turbinado and Demerara) – typically work best.

Step by Step Instructions

How to make caster sugar without blender

Step 1. Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a blender, food processor or coffee grinder and blend until the sugar is superfine and a fluffy powdered sugar.

Step 2. Use the sugar immediately or store for later.

Note: The more refined, whiter sugars make the fluffiest powdered sugar.

How to make caster sugar without blender

No Blender? No Problem!

How to make powdered sugar without a blender:

If you don’t have a blender, a food processor will work too. Depending on the capacity of your machine, you might have to make a bigger batch at one time.

Another option is a coffee grinder!

How to make powdered sugar with a coffee grinder:

Follow the same steps as above, although adjust the quantity to fit your coffee grinder. Be sure you clean your coffee grinder beforehand to avoid the transfer of flavors!

How to make confectioners’ sugar by hand (without a machine):

Unless your hand is a machine, this isn’t to be the best route. A mortar and pestle would be the best option, but that’s very labor-intensive and time-consuming!

FAQs

How to make caster sugar without blender

Are confectioners’ sugar and powdered sugar the same thing?

Yep! The two names are interchangeable.

What are the ingredients for confectioners’ sugar?

You only need two ingredients to make it – granulated sugar and cornstarch.

How many cups in a pound of powdered sugar?

One pound (which is 16 ounces) contains approximately 3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar.

Can I substitute brown sugar for powdered sugar?

Probably not. Brown sugar contains molasses, which adds a dark, rich flavor to your baked goods. If a recipe calls for brown sugar, there’s likely a reason why!

Can you use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar in baking?

Not always! It really depends on what you’re baking, but as a recipe developer myself, there’s a reason why I would call for it in a recipe.
Fortunately, you can make your own powdered sugar in a jiffy!

How to make caster sugar without blender

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How to make caster sugar without blender

Learn how to make powdered sugar with this simple, 2 ingredient recipe! Save money on confectioners’ sugar by making it with a blender or coffee grinder.

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: About 1.5 cups 1x
  • Category: Kitchen Hacks and Tutorials
  • Method: blend
  • Cuisine: American

  • 1 cup granulated sugar*
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch

  1. Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a blender, food processor or coffee grinder and blend until the sugar is superfine and a fluffy powdered sugar.
  2. Use the sugar immediately or store for later.
  3. * Note: The more refined, whiter sugars make the fluffiest powdered sugar.

Notes

Note: You can use just about any granulated sugar, although sugar that doesn’t contain a lot of molasses – like white granulated sugar, cane sugar, raw sugar (Turbinado and Demerara) – typically work best.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 467

Keywords: How to make powdered sugar

How do you make granulated sugar into caster sugar without a blender?

A well-cleaned spice or coffee grinder is perfect for making small batches of caster sugar. Pulse until it reaches a super-fine but not powdery consistency. You're aiming for a crystal size directly between granulated sugar and powdered sugar. Let the sugar settle for a few minutes.

Can I blend normal sugar to make caster sugar?

Make the British ingredient at home with just granulated sugar and a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder. To make caster sugar, simply pulse or blend granulated sugar until it reaches a finely ground — but not powdery — consistency. Two or three quick pulses will usually do the trick.

What is the closest thing to caster sugar?

In most recipes you can substitute granulated sugar for caster sugar and vice versa. However, one cup of granulated sugar does not equal one cup of caster sugar. TIP: Caster sugar can be made at home by processing granulated sugar in a food processor for a few seconds.