Icing sugar, also known as powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar, is easy to make at home with just granulated sugar and a blender or food processor. Here's how:
Making Icing Sugar
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Measure your sugar: Place the desired amount of granulated sugar into your blender or food processor. A general guideline is to start with about 1 cup of granulated sugar.
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Blend or process: Process the sugar on high speed until it becomes a fine powder. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes, depending on the power of your appliance. Pulse occasionally to prevent overheating the motor.
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Check the consistency: Stop the blender or food processor and check the consistency of the sugar. It should be a very fine, smooth powder. If it's still grainy, continue processing for another 30 seconds and check again.
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Add cornstarch (optional): For cake decorating, adding a small amount of cornstarch helps prevent clumping. A general rule of thumb is to add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of granulated sugar before blending. The cornstarch absorbs moisture, resulting in a smoother icing sugar.
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Sift (optional): For the smoothest icing sugar, especially for delicate decorating, sift the powdered sugar through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any remaining lumps or larger sugar crystals.
Important Tips:
- Use dry equipment: Make sure your blender or food processor is completely dry before adding the sugar. Any moisture will cause the sugar to clump.
- Avoid over-processing: Over-processing can cause the sugar to melt slightly due to the heat generated, resulting in clumps.
- Store properly: Store homemade icing sugar in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
By following these simple steps, you can easily make icing sugar at home for all your cake decorating needs.
