Out of Granulated sugar, one case
Powdered sugar vs granulated sugar
4 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Powdered sugar
1 ¾ cups powdered for every 1 cup granulated
Use 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar for every 1 cup granulated sugar (1¾:1 ratio). For granulated to powdered, use 1 cup granulated for every 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar. Powdered sugar contains cornstarch, so it affects texture in some recipes.
- Best for —
- frostings
One casethe full granulated sugar card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 cup granulated sugar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Powdered sugarfrostings | 1 ¾ cups |
| 2 | 10X sugarfrostings | Same amountWith powdered sugar |
| 3 | Confectioners sugarfrostings | Same amountWith powdered sugar |
| 4 | Icing sugarfrostings | Same amountWith powdered sugar |
Powdered sugar
identical sweetness
Powdered sugar (confectioners sugar) can substitute for granulated sugar but requires more volume due to its lighter density. It contains cornstarch which may affect texture in some recipes.
- Best for
- frostings, glazes, when you want fine texture, desserts, when you want smooth consistency
- Texture
- finer, may affect texture
Powdered sugar contains cornstarch which may affect texture in some recipes. Use 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar for every 1 cup granulated sugar.
10X sugar
identical sweetness
10X sugar is the same as powdered sugar (confectioners sugar). It can substitute for granulated sugar using the same ratio as powdered sugar.
- Best for
- frostings, glazes, when you want fine texture, desserts, when you want smooth consistency
- Texture
- finer, may affect texture
10X sugar is identical to powdered sugar. Use the same ratio as powdered sugar: 1 ¾ cups for every 1 cup granulated sugar.
Confectioners sugar
identical sweetness
Confectioners sugar is the same as powdered sugar. It can substitute for granulated sugar using the same ratio as powdered sugar.
- Best for
- frostings, glazes, when you want fine texture, desserts, when you want smooth consistency
- Texture
- finer, may affect texture
Confectioners sugar is identical to powdered sugar. Use the same ratio as powdered sugar: 1 ¾ cups for every 1 cup granulated sugar.
Icing sugar
identical sweetness
Icing sugar is the same as powdered sugar. It can substitute for granulated sugar using the same ratio as powdered sugar.
- Best for
- frostings, glazes, when you want fine texture, desserts, when you want smooth consistency
- Texture
- finer, may affect texture
Icing sugar is identical to powdered sugar. Use the same ratio as powdered sugar: 1 ¾ cups for every 1 cup granulated sugar.
Granulated sugar for powdered
identical sweetness
Granulated sugar can substitute for powdered sugar but will have coarser texture. It works well in most recipes but may not dissolve as smoothly in liquids.
- Amount
- 1 cup granulated per 1 ¾ cups powdered
- Best for
- cooking, baking, when you want coarser texture, when you don't have powdered sugar, most recipes
- Texture
- coarser
Granulated sugar has coarser texture than powdered sugar. It works well in most recipes but may not dissolve as smoothly in liquids.
How it behaves in this recipe
Powdered sugar and granulated sugar have different densities and textures. Powdered sugar is lighter and contains cornstarch, while granulated sugar has larger crystals and no additives. Understanding these differences helps choose the best substitute for each application.
Tips for substituting granulated sugar
7 tips- Powdered sugar works best in frostings and glazes where you want smooth texture
- Granulated sugar works better in baked goods where you want structure and texture
- When using powdered sugar instead of granulated, the cornstarch may affect texture in some recipes
- Powdered sugar dissolves more easily in liquids than granulated sugar
- For meringues and whipped cream, granulated sugar works better than powdered sugar
- Powdered sugar is better for dusting and decorative purposes
- When substituting, consider the final texture you want in your recipe
Notes on granulated sugar
- For a completely different approach, try using other sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or stevia
- In some applications, you could use a combination of different sugars for layered flavor
- For beverages, consider using simple syrup or other liquid sweeteners
Questions
8 questionsCan I substitute powdered sugar for granulated sugar?
Yes, use 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar for every 1 cup granulated sugar. Powdered sugar contains cornstarch which may affect texture in some recipes.
How much powdered sugar equals 1 cup granulated sugar?
Use 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar for every 1 cup granulated sugar. Powdered sugar is lighter and fluffier than granulated sugar.
Can I use 10X sugar instead of granulated sugar?
Yes, 10X sugar is the same as powdered sugar. Use 1 ¾ cups 10X sugar for every 1 cup granulated sugar.
What's the difference between powdered sugar and granulated sugar?
Powdered sugar is ground finer and contains cornstarch, while granulated sugar has larger crystals and no cornstarch. Powdered sugar is lighter and fluffier.
Can I use confectioners sugar instead of granulated sugar?
Yes, confectioners sugar is the same as powdered sugar. Use 1 ¾ cups confectioners sugar for every 1 cup granulated sugar.
Can I use powdered sugar in cookies?
Yes, but powdered sugar may affect the texture of cookies due to the cornstarch. Granulated sugar is better for most cookie recipes.
Can I use powdered sugar in meringue?
No, granulated sugar is better for meringue. Powdered sugar contains cornstarch which can affect the stability of meringue.
Can I use powdered sugar in coffee?
Yes, powdered sugar dissolves more easily in coffee than granulated sugar. Use 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar for every 1 cup granulated sugar.