Powdered sugar is finely ground granulated sugar with cornstarch added.
Powdered sugar can be used as a substitute for granulated sugar. There are some slight differences between the two types of sugar, and these are important to keep in mind so you can get the best possible results when substituting. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Ratio
To substitute powdered sugar for granulated sugar, you must use 1 3/4 cup of powdered sugar for every 1 cup of granulated sugar the recipe calls for. Powdered sugar is very finely ground granulated sugar, and this is why the ratio for powdered to granulated is so high.
Considerations
Powdered sugar contains 3 percent cornstarch, which helps give it a powdery texture and prevents caking. You should keep this in mind before substituting, because the addition of cornstarch could yield positive or negative results depending on the recipe. If you are cooking something with a sauce or gravy, the added cornstarch will cause it to thicken. However, using powdered sugar in place of regular sugar in baked goods may mean your recipe will not rise as much.
Cost
When you purchase powdered sugar at the supermarket, you will notice that it is much more expensive than granulated. This fact combined with the high ratio of powdered to granulated is why most people do not use it as a substitute. If you don't have a lot of powdered sugar on hand, you may be better off to put your recipe on hold if time will allow and buy some granulated sugar.
Tags: granulated sugar, finely ground, finely ground granulated, ground granulated, ground granulated sugar, powdered granulated