Powdered Sugar Substitutes
Powdered sugar, or confectioners’ sugar, is a pantry staple that adds sweetness and a smooth texture to baked goods. What if you run out or need a lower-calorie option? Several powdered sugar substitutes may already be in your pantry.
Some powdered sugar replacements are natural sweeteners, while others add sweetness without the calories. Other substitutes impact the texture or the browning of your baked goods, so read through this list and pick the best one for your needs. No matter your purpose, this article will help you find the right substitute.
Why You Need Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar gives certain qualities to desserts and other baked goods. Here are some reasons why you need it:
- It adds a sweet flavor to frostings, cookies and cakes.
- Powdered sugar helps tenderize baked goods like muffins and cakes by interfering with gluten formation, which results in a softer, more tender cake.
- It adds structure to whipped cream and meringues.
- Powdered sugar helps thicken frostings and icings.
Common Powdered Sugar Substitutes
Powdered sugar substitutes can change the texture, flavor or consistency of a recipe. Having the exact ingredient a recipe calls for is ideal but is not always possible due to dietary restrictions, health concerns, allergies or simply not having it on hand. In these cases, these options are great choices.
Make Your Own!
If you have time and are interested, you can make your own! To make your own, you will need 2 cups of granulated sugar and two tablespoons of cornstarch. After using a blender to grind it into a fine powder, this will make about three and three-quarters cups of powdered sugar. It works well in quick breads and muffins.
Make A Corn Starch Free Version
If you want a corn-free alternative or happen to have tapioca starch instead, blend 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch in a high-speed blender for 30 to 50 seconds. For every 1 cup of sugar, you will get 1 and three-quarters cups to 2 cups of powdered sugar substitute. This option works well for icings and creamy glazes. It does not work well when sprinkled over wet toppings.
Granulated Sugar and Potato Starch
Another corn-free alternative is granulated sugar and potato starch. Blend one cup of sugar with one tablespoon of potato starch in a high-speed blender for about a minute. This makes about one 3/4 cups to two cups of powdered sugar replacement. This option works well for buttercream, frosting and dusting the top of cakes and other baked goods.
Coconut Sugar and Cornstarch
Coconut sugar has a low glycemic index and is less sweet than sugar, but it has the same amount of calories and carbohydrates. It has a darker color and a slight caramel taste, but the flavor resembles regular sugar.
Blend 1 cup of coconut sugar with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a high-speed blender. This mixture makes about 1 and three-quarters cup to 2 cups of powdered sugar. Powdered coconut sugar can be used in any recipe that calls for powdered sugar, such as cookies or frosting.
Low Calorie Replacements
So the above were all the “regular” sugar replacements. The following replacements are for low/no calorie sweeteners. These substitutes are good for people watching calories, or carbs, or diabetics.
Powdered Stevia
Combine one cup of powdered Stevia with one tablespoon of your preferred starch. Powdered Stevia works well in any recipe where you would use powdered sugar, like buttercream or cakes.
Powdered Monk Fruit Sweetener
Powdered monk fruit sweetener tastes like regular powdered sugar but has zero calories. It can be used as a one-for-one replacement for powdered sugar in most recipes.
Splenda and cornstarch
Splenda has zero calories, so it is a great choice for diabetics and others who are watching their sugar intake or calories. Blend three-quarters cups of Splenda with two tablespoons of cornstarch. Use half a cup of Splenda powdered sugar for every cup of regular powdered sugar your recipe calls for. It works best for dusting cakes or rolling cookies.
Powdered Allulose
Allulose has 90% fewer calories than sugar, making it a game-changing option for those watching their calories. It browns quicker than regular sugar, so you will need to watch your baked goods closely, but it does not crystallize when it cools like some sugar substitutes.
Allulose works best when combined with another sweetener, such as monkfruit. For the best results, blend half a cup of allulose with half a cup of monkfruit sweetener and one tablespoon of cornstarch into a fine powder. Use as a one-for-one replacement for powdered sugar.
“Living low-carb lifestyle for years, I have tried almost every single sugar substitute there is. In the end, allulose is the one I truly love. Its taste is the closest to real sugar, does not crystalize as some other sweeteners do, and adds creaminess and smoothness to anything I use it for.”
— Zuzana Paar, Lowcarb-Nocarb
Powdered Milk
Powdered milk has a consistency similar to powdered sugar. You must add cornstarch for consistency and Stevia or granulated sugar for sweetness. To make this powdered sugar substitute, blend one cup of dry milk powder, one cup of cornstarch and half a cup of sweetener. It works as a one-for-one substitute for powdered sugar.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar-free substitute that looks and tastes like sugar but has fewer calories and doesn’t raise blood sugar levels. When blended, it can be used in place of powdered sugar as a one-for-one replacement. Powdered xylitol works in frostings, cakes, cookies and other recipes that require powdered sugar.
With so many powdered sugar substitutes available, you’ll never have to skip a recipe when you’re out or looking for a different option. Whether you prefer natural sweeteners, low-calorie alternatives, or simple pantry swaps, there’s a solution for every baking need.
