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 it’s important to know how to use them. No matter what your purpose is, 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.
Granulated sugar and cornstarch
Granulated sugar and cornstarch are the basis for homemade powdered sugar. To make your own, you will need 2 cups of granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. After using a blender to grind it into a fine powder, this will make about 3 and three-quarters cups of powdered sugar. It works well in quick breads and muffins.
Granulated sugar and tapioca starch
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. Because it absorbs liquids quickly, it doesn’t 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. For every cup of sugar, you will get 1 and three-quarters cups to 2 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
For a healthier option, try 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 is very similar to regular sugar. You can make your own powdered sugar substitute by blending 1 cup of coconut sugar with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a high-speed blender. This mixture can be used as a replacement for 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.
Powdered stevia
Stevia doesn’t contain calories or carbohydrates, so it works well for diabetics or others who are watching their sugar intake or trying to lose weight. To use it as a substitute for powdered sugar, combine one cup of powdered Stevia with one tablespoon of your preferred starch. Powdered Stevia works well in any recipe where you wold 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. It works in any recipe that uses powdered sugar, such as cookies or icing.
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, but it’s sugar-free. You will need to 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.
Hot cocoa mix
Hot cocoa mix is the chocolate version of powdered milk. Before using, place the hot cocoa mix in the blender to grind it down to a finer powder. Hot cocoa mix can be used as a one-for-one substitute for powdered sugar. It can’t be used for every recipe, but it works great in ones that contain chocolate, like chocolate cake, brownies or chocolate frosting.
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.
Final thoughts
Swapping powdered sugar for a substitute can be a great choice for health or preference. However, these replacements may affect the final product’s texture and flavor. To achieve the best results, follow the recipe carefully and keep in mind the final product may not turn out exactly like the original.
Heidi is a Certified Elementary School Teacher in the Inland Northwest and has been teaching for 18 years. She is also a vintage recipe blogger at Real Life of Lulu, where she focuses on recipes that are at least 50 years old, many from her grandparents’ kitchens. When she isn’t teaching or baking, she loves spending time with her husband and three kids.