How to Make Powdered Sugar

By Amy Flanigan

Published Apr 26, 2025

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Prep 1

Servings 64 tablespoons (4 cups total)

By Amy Flanigan

Published Apr 26, 2025

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Ever wondered how to make powdered sugar? It’s actually incredibly quick and easy – definitely faster than running to the store to buy some! All you need is regular granulated sugar, a blender, and a couple minutes. Cornstarch is also needed if you’ll be storing it for later.

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Ever get halfway through a recipe that calls for powdered sugar and realize you’ve run out? Don’t fret, you can easily make it in minutes without another trip to the store. All you need is granulated sugar and cornstarch! (Fun fact – powdered sugar, confectioner’s sugar, and icing sugar are all the same thing, just labeled differently. Whichever a recipe calls for, this tutorial will work.)

Helpful Tips

A note on cornstarch. If you are using the powdered sugar immediately for dusting or in icing/frosting, you can omit the cornstarch. However, if you’re storing it for later, you need it to keep the powdered sugar dry and prevent it from caking.
Different types of sugar. White sugar, coconut sugar, turbinado sugar, and raw cane sugar can all be used, but produce different results. See notes below.
Strong motor required. I have had the best results making powdered sugar with my Vitamix (though any other high-power blender would work). A food processor is also a good option and a spice grinder works for small amounts of sugar. A very strong motor is important, otherwise it won’t blend the sugar extra fine.
Check if it’s ready. To check if the powdered sugar is done, pinch a small amount between your fingers. If it feels at all gritty, blend it some more.
Rest the machine if needed. Depending on the amount of sugar and/or the machine you’re using, blending can take between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. If processing a large amount, make sure to give the machine a bit of a break so it doesn’t burn out.
How much does this make? Every 1 cup of granulated sugar will yield about 2 cups of powdered sugar.

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How to Make Powdered Sugar

Prep: 1

Total: 1

Servings: tablespoons (4 cups total)

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Learn how to make powdered sugar in minutes with just two pantry items and a blender in this super easy recipe tutorial.

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups granulated sugar
▢ 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Gather 2 cups granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch.
Pour both ingredients into a high-powered blender, food processor, or spice grinder (see important note below.)
Blend until it’s no longer granulated, but instead is a fine, fluffy powdered sugar. (This can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes depending on the machine you’re using.)
Use powdered sugar immediately or save it for later. Sift before using to get rid of any clumps and fluff it back up again.

Notes

Blender. I have had the best results using a high power blender (such as a Vitamix.) A food processor also works and so does a spice grinder (but only with smaller amounts of sugar.) You need an appliance with a very strong motor or it won’t be able to blend the sugar extra fine.

Cornstarch. The cornstarch is necessary for long-term storage, however if you’ll be using the powdered sugar immediately, it can be omitted.

Tips, other sugars, and storage. Helpful tips, using different types of sugar, and proper storage information is all included in the article.

Nutrition

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

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What Sugar Should I Use?

More refined, whiter sugars will produce the fluffiest powdered sugars, but coconut sugar, turbinado sugar, and raw cane sugar also work. Keep in mind that darker sugars can change the color of icing, frosting, and some baked goods. Brown sugar is the one type of sugar that does not create great powdered sugar due to the moisture in molasses.

Ways To Use Powdered Sugar

This homemade powdered sugar can be used in the same recipes as store-bought powdered sugar, such as to make frosting and icing, for dusting pastries, and more. I love to use it to make sugar cookie icing or frosting, to sprinkle over puff pastry, and even in my sugar cookie martinis!

Proper Storage

Powdered sugar has such a long storage life. As long as you used the cornstarch, it can last up to 1 year or more if stored in an airtight container. Just keep it in a cool, dry place as you would regular powdered sugar. Sift before using to get rid of any clumps and fluff it up again.

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How to Make Powdered Sugar

Helpful Tips