In a pinch, you can make your own powdered sugar in seconds. Simply blend sugar and cornstarch in a blender.

Powdered Sugar - How to Make Your Own

Powdered sugar doesn’t have to be store bought.

Did you know this? How many times have you searched your pantry for powdered sugar only to come up empty? This seems to be the constant story of my life because this happened to me yesterday.

I wanted to make a glaze for a brunch-y type recipe (one that I’m hopefully sharing with you very soon) and when I went for the powdered sugar, my Oxo container I store it in was completely empty.

Powdered Sugar - How to Make Your Own

Vaguely I recalled hearing that you can put sugar and cornstarch into a food processor (or high-powered blender) and whir it until the sugar becomes powdery. So I decided I would give it a go. Worse case scenario: I’d have to run out the store. Best case scenario? I never have to buy powdered sugar again.

As you can obviously see I was able to stay in my comfy clothes because, just like magic, it worked.

sugar

The recipe I was making didn’t call for a ton of powdered sugar so I only measured a cup of sugar. I use pure cane sugar, so that’s why it’s golden in color. Either types of sugar, pure cane or granulated, will of course work.

Adding sugar to blender

Add the sugar and cornstarch to a high speed blender.

Using my Vitamix blender made it easy. This is not a plug, I honestly like to use it because a) I love it.. and b) I wanted to avoid pulling out my food processor. Its high speed makes it quick and super simple.

What’s the Sugar to Cornstarch Ratio?

When making homemade powdered sugar, you will need 1 tablespoon cornstarch for every 1 cup sugar.

blending sugar

Once my lid was on, I started up my high-powered blender and slowly increased the speed until… poof! It started turning white. You guys, I had no idea that it would work this fast. I know, I know but really! I had to stop midway to snap a picture.

add in cornstarch

In seconds (literally) I had made homemade powdered sugar.

How to Make Your Own

Then I poured it into my favorite air-tight container and stored the powdered sugar until I was ready to use it.

Tips:

  • Use a high-speed blender or food processor to ensure you get a fine powder.
  • I’ve only tried this with pure cane sugar and can only assume it can be done with granulated white sugar.
  • In my experience, 1 cup pure cane sugar equaled a little over a cup of powdered.
Click Here For More Homemade Ingredients.

Powdered Sugar - How to Make Your Own

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Yield: 16 servings

How To Make Powdered Sugar at Home

In a pinch, you can make your own powdered sugar in seconds.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar, raw or granulated
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions 

  • Place the sugar and cornstarch in a high-speed blender and process on high until light and powdery. About 30 seconds.
Serving: 1cup, Calories: 805kcal, Carbohydrates: 208g, Sodium: 2mg, Potassium: 4mg, Sugar: 207g, Calcium: 2mg, Iron: 1mg