Substitutes for Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar, also known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, is a finely grained sugar that dissolves quickly in water. We use it mostly for icing on cakes and is called for in many recipes. Now there may be times when you need to substitute it because of lack of ingredients on hand, allergies or other health conditions. So here’s some tips on making your own home made powdered sugar.
Granulated sugar is a great substitute for powdered sugar, but not as it is, y’all are going to have to do a little bit of work. To substitute powdered sugar with granulated sugar, you must understand the difference between the two. Powdered sugar is granulated sugar that has been ground up into a fine powder. To prevent it from clumping up on you, cornstarch is added to keep it from caking up.
You can make your own by taking 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 tsp. of cornstarch for each cup of powdered sugar you need. Grind the two up in a blender. You have to use a blender, because a food processor won’t work for this at all.
Also, if you want to remove the cornstarch, due to allergies or lack of cornstarch on hand, you can grind up just the granulated sugar by itself. The cornstarch is only used to keep the powdered sugar substitute from clumping up during storage. This is a great way to make it if you plan on using the powdered sugar substitute right away in a recipe.
Sugar Free Powdered Sugar Substitute
If you’re diabetic or just trying to watch your calories, you may be wanting to use a sugar free substitute for powdered sugar. If so, here is a simple way you can whip up a batch of sugar-free powdered sugar substitute.
Prepare just as you would with the granulated sugar recipe above. Mix an artificial sweetener, such as Splenda or Nutrasweet, and cornstarch and grind it in a blender. Use this only in recipes where the powdered sugar is being used for sweetness, and use less than the recipe calls for. Artificial sweeteners require less for the same amount of sweetness.
Now, if your recipe calls for powdered sugar to add bulk to your recipe, such as during baking, you can mix your sugar free powdered sugar substitute by taking 1 part artificial sweetener, 2 parts powdered milk and 2 parts cornstarch and grind in the blender. Use this on a 1 cup to 1 cup basis as a powdered sugar substitute.
Stevia
If you want to use stevia as a powdered sugar substitute, here are three versions to choose from.
- Take 2 packets of stevia with 1 cup of arrowroot or potato starch and process them in a food processor.
- You can also process 4 packets of stevia with 1 cup of arrowroot or potato starch and 1 cup of whey protein powder.
- Finally, you can process 4 packets of stevia with 1 cup of arrowroot or potato starch and 1 cup of powdered milk.
Please advise how long the the sugar free powder sugar last. I plan to make up the one using stevia, arrowroot and protein powder. Can that be kept in a airtight jar on a shelf or in the fridge or when you make it up is just enough to use for that one time? Thanks for sharing your recipes.
what is your recipe for sugar-free powder sugar?
Can the sugar substitute be used for making sugar free fondant?
How much stevia in a packet
I do not use packets of Stevia…..can you please tell me how much is in one packet and how many packets to make one cup of Stevia. Thanks!
For people who don’t use packets, is a packet of Stevia 1 teaspoon? I’m blind, and the person that I’m asking for is also blind. They buy their Stevia in bags.
Awesome, thanks!
How long do you process it for in the food processor with just the Stevia and the Arrowroot powder? Also, if I am getting plain, natural, pure Stevia Extract in powder form (instead of packets), how many grams do I use to add to the Arrowroot powder?
my sugar free fudge calls for 1 cup sugar-free powdered sugar. What are the exact ingredients for 1 cup. (I wanted to use non-gmo corn starch)
OMG, this has to be the least expensive sugar free powdered sugar recipe w/out corn starch I’ve come across! Kids hate going w/out sweets, me too! Thanks!