If you find the pantry empty when you need powdered or confectioners’ sugar for your favorite home-baked treat, you can make just what you need for the recipe with the sugar you have at home! This is possible because all sugar is made by first extracting juice from sugar beet or sugar cane plants, and from there, many types of sugar can be produced. Through slight adjustments in the process of cleaning, crystallizing and drying the sugar and varying the level of molasses, different sugar varieties are possible.

The difference between granulated sugar is the size of the crystal. By grinding up granulated sugar in the blender or food processor, you can get the fine powder you expect in powdered sugar. When you buy powdered sugar at the store, you might notice that there are two ingredients: sugar and cornstarch. The small amount of cornstarch prevents the fine sugar granules from caking, which is important for using powdered sugar in the kitchen. You’ll have powdered sugar in no time made with these two ingredients from your pantry!

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp corn starch

Directions

1. Pour sugar and cornstarch into a blender or food processor. (Make sure the lid is on tight and keep your hand pressed on the lid for safety and cleaning up purposes!)
2. Blend the sugar until it is a fine, fluffy powdered sugar, for about 60 seconds.
3. Store any unused powdered sugar in an airtight container.

And just like that, you have the powdered sugar you need to complete your recipe. If you need recipe ideas, you can check out some of our favorites here.

Did you run out of brown sugar too? Learn how to make it!