How To Make Powdered Sugar
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If you can’t find powdered sugar that fits your nutrition plan, here’s how to make powdered sugar at home, quickly and easily.
This simple technique opens up a world of baking possibilities!
I had long given up the idea of ever enjoying powdered sugar again. I mean, what else can you make powdered sugar out of other than regular white sugar?
Apparently, there ARE a few things you can make it out of and my Vitamix helped me realize this.
Today’s “recipe” isn’t really a recipe per se, but if you’ve been eating clean and missing powdered sugar, there IS a solution and I’ll share that with you here.
So I recently purchased a bag of organic Sucanat. It’s considered clean sugar and I was curious to see what sort of effect it would have on my blood sugar. But while the unopened bag sat there staring at me from the countertop, I happened to glance over at my Vitamix and the snazzy dry ingredients blender attachment I purchased with it. And that got me to thinkin’…
Oh ya. You guessed it. Powdered sugar baby! And not only did I figure out the regular white variety, but I also got a brown sugar variety too! It’s really pretty simple. And if you don’t have a Vitamix, you can also use any other high-powered blender or even a coffee grinder (though, I’ve never tried it in a coffee grinder).
Vitamix + Sucanat = powdered brown sugar
Vitamix + Coconut Sugar = powdered brown sugar
Vitamix + Xylitol = powdered white sugar
I swear, it really is that easy. I put about 2 cups worth in the dry blender and got it up to high speed. Within a few seconds, I had powdered sugar.
So then I had to take it one step farther and try out some frosting. It worked!
I simply squeezed some lemon juice into the xylitol powdered sugar for a fabulous lemon frosting and added a touch of milk to the Sucanat powdered sugar for brown sugar frosting. Incredible!!
So incredible, in fact, that I won’t be making it again except for the holidays. This stuff is addicting! But just had to share…
I’m newer to you and curious about what makes Xylitol “clean” to you? As you may or may not know Xylitol can very quickly turn fatal for our beloved pets, so for me it’s something I don’t keep at all (I won’t buy dental products with this ingredient, no longer chew gum, etc.). My nutritionist has also advised against it for balancing my blood sugar problems. (My insurance company has assured me that seeing a Nutritionist is a “luxury” (their word not mine) and at $150/hr I have become very selective with my questions – especially as I quickly started feeling better.:) I’m not trying to pick a fight; I am truly really curious to your thought process or research. Thank you so much.
April – It’s not something I usually use. Tosca Reno and Jamie Eason use it, and it’s widely promoted as being low glycemic as well as good for oral health. Personally, I’m still on the fence for how clean it is. But I know a lot of clean eaters who use it, so I included it here.
I don’t typically compare my food to the food my pet consumes. After all, onions and dark chocolate are considered super foods for humans, but deadly for dogs. So I don’t think there is much of a comparison there. I’m simply offering choices for those that use it.
what is your source for finding “clean” sugars? I have heard lot about sucanat as well as some others but I wonder what all is on that “list”. I have been using organic raw cane juice crystals but I assume this is just a less processes version of white sugar. Are there other “healthier” sugars and if so, what is the criteria? Thanks!
Bek – The list for clean sugars is actually pretty short. These are the only ones I know of, though I don’t use them all.
Honey
Molasses
Maple Syrup
Sucanat
Rapadura
Coconut sugar
This is fantastic! I gave up sugar for lent but as soon as it is over I love this as a clean idea! I will have to make some protein waffles with berries and powdered sugar!!!!
Kelly – That’s exactly what I did for Mini Chef. Needless to say, I had no problems getting him to eat his breakfast.
Allison – Yes, I’ve heard great things about Sucanat. My concern is the effect it will have on my blood sugar. I’m always experimenting in that department. Our bodies are all so unique, you just have to figure out what works and what doesn’t. That banana bread sounds fabulous!
Michela – Most definitely. This is not something I will keep around the house. But it’s good to know if I need it for a special occasion, that I can get it.
Chana – This is the first time I’ve tried Sucanat. It was recommended by a friend. None of my recipes on my blog use it. I’m still testing out the effects on my blood sugar.
Liz – I hope you enjoy it!
What do you mean by, “Clean Eating”?
Donna A. – Here you go: https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/what-is-clean-eating/
Tiffany…I enjoy your site and blog. Your recipes are great. You mentioned you used your Vitamix. I am about to get the 5200…just have not pulled the trigger yet. Do you use yours often? Would you recommed it? Is it useful for more than just smoothies?
Guest – Honestly, I’ve been a little intimidated by it. It’s a very powerful machine, and people swear by it. But I have not used it a lot yet. Partly because I’m working on a cookbook and just haven’t had the time to experiment. But also because I’m kind of at a loss for what to do with it. I wanted it so badly, and now it just sits there staring at me from the counter top. I know I need to just start making some of the recipes from their cookbook. But I haven’t had the time. I think once I do that I will use it far more often. I definitely want to make peanut butter next!
Bette – Glad I could help!
Rschoen – Thanks so much! I’m glad you liked it!
TracyT – Stevia and Xylitol are a world apart in taste. No comparison. I’d go for the xylitol every time based on flavor alone. But that’s just me. I get a really bad aftertaste from stevia.
Facefirst – It’s a high powered blender.
Nanaknows – No, I don’t. I get a terrible aftertaste from it. Erythitol would not be clean anyway.
April – Nobody is fighting here. Just trying to answer your questions. I wouldn’t advocate giving this to an animal. My recipes are all for human consumption. Not for pets. If you don’t feel safe using xylitol, then by all means, try something else. While I’m still on the fence about xylitol qualifying as clean, I know a lot of clean eaters use it. So I’m simply providing a resource here. 100% clean sweeteners would be raw honey and pure maple syrup, if that helps.
So much concern over blood glucose levels… Have you been diagnosed with diabetes, or have a family history? Just curious, as I have had family members on both sides diagnosed with diabetes (although much later in life).
CharleyWrite – Yes. I am pre-diabetic. Diabetes runs heavily on one side of my family.
I knew you would love the vitamix!! I made confectioners sugar by accident with my vitamix the first week I got it with sucanat!!
Lauren – Ya! It’s great for that stuff!!! Now if only I hadn’t put a metal spoon in there right before turning it on….Ghaa!
I think it’s one of those “personal choice” things. If you purchase the organic variety to avoid GMO’s, then I don’t think a small amount of cornstarch is going to hurt you in any way. Is it clean? Probably not. But is it truly offensive? Probably not.
I have a question about sugar……especially baking with it. I have started the family and I on this clean eating, still of course learning lots and not always being the best at it. Starting to get more into the baking aspects and with really needing a cookie …..lol. I am kinda scared of baking with completely natural stuff, just cause never have…but kinda leaning towards honey……but for the next few weeks to transition just a little easier, is there a type of sugar, like all natural pure cane or something as close to sugar like that? I am also not really interested in stevia…..not crazy about taste…..at least not in a yummy cookie…also not interested in the xylitol stuff either…..will go down that route when more comfortable with baking different stuff. Also, I do understand that what I am asking for might not be completely clean, but really I am just looking for something as close as possible to help me get better at first baking some certain things, then starting to substitute in a few weeks. Thank you!
Nicole – What you are describing is called Sucanat. It has more of a “brown sugar” type of flavor, but it’s the closest you are going to get. Let me know how it works out for you!
Thank you……going to get some sucanat today
Nicole – Let me know how you like it!
Any sugar alcohols, such as Xylitol, Erythritol, Maltitol, ALL have very high incidence of laxative effect, if consumed more than 5 grams per serving. That disclaimer needs to be in this recipe. Some can’t even eat that much, if they already have a predisposition for bowel problems. Xylitol, along with Maltitol, are the two highest incidence of digestive distress.
Allyson – Actually, that depends on the person. Not everyone has that reaction. I do fine with Erythritol. It’s not clean, but I don’t use it often, so I’m okay with that. Beats high blood sugar!