🍯 Sweeteners

Powdered Sugar Substitute - for Confectioners Sugar

Discover the best powdered sugar substitutes for frosting, glazes, and baking. Complete guide to alternatives that provide the same fine texture and sweetness.

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Quick Answer

The best powdered sugar substitutes are homemade powdered sugar (blend granulated sugar + cornstarch), powdered erythritol, or powdered monk fruit sweetener. For 1 cup powdered sugar, blend 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tsp cornstarch.

Best Substitutes

Homemade Powdered Sugar

1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tsp cornstarch = 1 cup powdered sugar

Make your own powdered sugar by blending granulated sugar with cornstarch in a food processor until it becomes a fine powder.

Best for:

frostingglazesdustingall recipes

Best substitute, blend in food processor until fine powder, add cornstarch to prevent clumping

Powdered Erythritol

1:1

Powdered erythritol that measures like powdered sugar but has zero calories and carbs. Perfect for low-carb and diabetic-friendly recipes.

Best for:

frostingglazeslow-carb bakingdiabetic-friendly recipes

Zero calories, zero carbs, no aftertaste, may have slight cooling effect

Powdered Monk Fruit Sweetener

1 cup powdered sugar = 1/2 cup powdered monk fruit

Natural powdered sweetener that's often blended with erythritol for better texture. No aftertaste and works well in most recipes.

Best for:

frostingglazesall recipesnatural baking

Natural, no aftertaste, zero calories, often blended with erythritol

Powdered Stevia

1 cup powdered sugar = 1 tsp powdered stevia

Natural powdered sweetener that's much sweeter than powdered sugar. Best used in small amounts or combined with other sweeteners.

Best for:

frostingglazessmall amountslow-calorie recipes

Extremely sweet, natural, zero calories, may have aftertaste

Powdered Allulose

1:1

Powdered allulose that tastes identical to powdered sugar but has zero net carbs. Perfect for keto and diabetic baking.

Best for:

frostingglazesall recipesketo baking

Tastes like sugar, zero net carbs, helps with browning, more expensive

Powdered Coconut Sugar

1:1

Natural powdered sugar from coconut palm with caramel-like flavor. Slightly less sweet but works well in most recipes.

Best for:

frostingglazesnatural bakingsauces

Natural, caramel flavor, slightly less sweet, may not dissolve completely

Powdered Xylitol

1:1

Natural powdered sweetener with low glycemic impact. Has some carbs but minimal effect on blood sugar when used in moderation.

Best for:

frostingglazessmall amountsnatural baking

Natural, low glycemic index, may cause digestive issues in large amounts

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Make homemade powdered sugar by blending granulated sugar with cornstarch in a food processor
  • 💡Use 1 teaspoon cornstarch per cup of sugar to prevent clumping
  • 💡Blend for 2-3 minutes until the sugar becomes a fine powder
  • 💡Sift homemade powdered sugar to remove any remaining granules
  • 💡Powdered erythritol works well as a 1:1 replacement in most recipes
  • 💡Stevia is extremely sweet - use only 1 teaspoon for every 1 cup of powdered sugar
  • 💡Monk fruit sweetener is often blended with erythritol for better texture
  • 💡Allulose tastes identical to powdered sugar and works in all recipes
  • 💡Coconut sugar may not dissolve completely in liquids - best for dry applications
  • 💡Store powdered sugar substitutes in airtight containers to prevent clumping
  • 💡For frosting, powdered sweeteners work best for smooth texture
  • 💡For glazes, liquid sweeteners may need to be reduced or thickened

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best substitute for powdered sugar?

The best powdered sugar substitute is homemade powdered sugar made by blending 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a food processor until fine.

Can I make powdered sugar at home?

Yes, blend 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a food processor for 2-3 minutes until it becomes a fine powder. Sift to remove any remaining granules.

Can I use powdered erythritol instead of powdered sugar?

Yes, powdered erythritol works well as a 1:1 replacement for powdered sugar. It has zero calories and carbs but may have a slight cooling effect.

What about powdered monk fruit sweetener?

Powdered monk fruit sweetener works well but is often blended with erythritol for better texture. It has no aftertaste and is natural.

Can I use powdered stevia for frosting?

Yes, but stevia is extremely sweet, so use only 1 teaspoon for every 1 cup of powdered sugar. It may have a slight aftertaste.

Is powdered allulose a good substitute?

Yes, powdered allulose tastes identical to powdered sugar and works in all recipes. It has zero net carbs and is perfect for keto baking.

What about powdered coconut sugar?

Powdered coconut sugar works well but has a caramel flavor and may not dissolve completely in liquids. It's best for dry applications like dusting.

Do I need to adjust recipes when using powdered sugar substitutes?

Most powdered sugar substitutes work as 1:1 replacements. However, stevia is much sweeter, so use only 1 teaspoon for every 1 cup of powdered sugar.

Summary

Find the best powdered sugar substitutes for frosting, glazes, and baking. Complete guide to homemade powdered sugar, erythritol, and monk fruit with proper ratios and tips.