Learn how to make unrefined powdered sugar at home with a high speed blender and natural sugar!
Let’s face it – how many times have you assembled your baking ingredients…pre-heated the oven…and begun to mix…only to realize that you have the wrong kind of sugar?
This happens to me more often than I’d like to admit!
Fortunately, it’s actually quite easy to turn regular sugar into powdered sugar. Here’s how:
How to make unrefined powdered sugar
First, let’s talk ingredients and equipment. You’ll need a blender or food processor, one cup of sugar (I’d recommend coconut sugar), and a tablespoon of arrowroot powder or corn starch. Because sugar is the primary ingredient, you want to make sure you snag good-quality stuff from a trusted brand.
And then it’s very simple:
- Put the sugar and arrowroot or corn starch in a food processor
- Blend until it looks like powdered sugar
- Store the sugar in an airtight container.
That’s it! Just about the easiest ingredient you can DIY. Plus, because you know exactly what went into the recipe, you can ensure the quality!
How To Make Unrefined Powdered Sugar
Learn how to make unrefined powdered sugar at home with a high spreed blender and natural sugar!
Ingredients
Equipment
- Blender or Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sugar (Coconut Sugar, Rapadura or Organic Cane Sugar)
- 1 Tablespoon Arrowroot Powder or Corn Starch (Non GMO)
Instructions
- Blend sugar and arrowroot powder (or corn starch) together in a blender or food processor.
- Blend until sugar is a “powdered” texture.
- Store in an airtight container. Use in place of confectioners powdered sugar in recipes. That’s it!
Can I use tapioca flour instead of cornstarch?
I did this in my ninja blender for a good 20 minutes and it was powdery, but very grainy and unpleasant when I tried to make frosting with it
I used tapioca starch. Do you have any tips on how to make it blend to a finer powder?
Hmmmm.I don’t have a ninja blender so I can’t compare. When I use the vitamix the coconut sugar turns into a fine powder.
Could you tell me your Vitamax model or food processor for making Fine Powdered coconut sugar?
How long should this take in a food processor? Looks like it’s working, but running for a very long time to eliminate the graininess!
This excites me! I’ve been changing out the junk foods in mine and my toddler’s diet. His second birthday is in 4 months and this is perfect to use for some yummy BUT healthy snacks! Love your page!!
well, this did not work at all and i wasted a whole bag of expensive coconut sugar!! i ended up making icing and the icing was SO GRAINY. sticking to regular powdered sugar!
can i make a big batch of this in the food processor or do i have to do a couple of 1 cup batches? i need 3 cups of it.
I use a dedicated coffee grinder and only grind coconut sugar. I use it in frostings and it works fine. Honestly, it’s the most well received frosting in general, even among folks who eat regular sugar.
Does anyone know about how long it will take to blend if I use a blender of 800 watts.
I did this! It works wonderful! I will never buy powdered sugar again.
What about potato starch in place of corn starch?
Oh I am so excited to try this!!! I love this site!!!!
This is great! I tried making powdered coconut sugar before but it was too sticky and clogged up my grinder. The corn starch made all the difference! I made two cups at a time in a Vitamix and each batch just took a few minutes. I used the powdered coconut sugar for frosting and it was a bit denser than with powdered cane sugar but still worked out.
★★★★★
Wow, this is so clever. I can’t wait to give this powdered sugar a try.
What about using Sucanat?
Sucanat works 🙂
I used unrefined sugar and I cant get it to be completely powdery… its still a little grainy… and it tastes a little funny. help!
Aww bummer! I haven’t had that happen. Not sure why it would taste funny. Did you use arrowroot powder or corn starch?
I do this but the last time I used it to make buttercream my frosting was gritty. I have a vitamix so it was nice and powdery (though I didn’t add arrowroot…it was just sugar). Anyone have any luck using their own powdered sugar and getting a nice smooth buttercream?
Just a tip…..if using the Vitamix, don’t overblend it. I did it for too long and the sugar heated up too much and then tasted bad.
Good to know! Thank you 🙂
If my recipe calls for 3-5 cups confectioners sugar for frosting base, would I use the same amount of coconut sugar?
Ooooh! 🙂 Thanks
I just tried this with my KitchenAid blender. I get a much finer, truly powdered product with my coffee grinder, so I’ll stick with that.
What is the purpose of the arrowroot? Anti-caking agent?
this sounds good, but can it be used in frostings?
Yep! 🙂