Powdered Sugar

Sugars & Sweeteners

Granulated sugar ground to a fine powder with a small amount of cornstarch added.

Also Called

icing sugarconfectioners sugar
Reviewed by the CupOrGram Editorial TeamSources: King Arthur Baking, USDA FoodData Central, in-house testingMethodology

Properties

Density Index
0.56 g/cm3
1 Cup Weight
120g
Texture
Granular
Category
Sugar
Top Substitute

Blended Granulated Sugar

Use Blend 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp cornstarch until powdery

Homemade powdered sugar works perfectly. Blend for 30-60 seconds.

Most-used links for Powdered Sugar

Conversions

cupsgrams
1/4 cups30.0 grams
1/3 cups40.0 grams
1/2 cups60.0 grams
1 cups120 grams
1.50 cups180 grams
2 cups240 grams
3 cups360 grams
4 cups480 grams
Figures use the US cup (236.6 ml).
Density: 0.56 g/ml
Quick Convert

Ingredient-specific, density-based conversions for baking

1 cups of Powdered Sugar equals 132 grams
Ingredient-specific · density-based
Cup size

Recommended Tools & Pantry Picks for Powdered Sugar

Optional shopping references for bakers who want to compare tools and pantry options related to powdered sugar.

Digital Kitchen Scale

Essential for cup-to-gram accuracy and repeatable bakes.

Shop scales

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Substitutions for Powdered Sugar

Storage Tips

Airtight container. Indefinite shelf life.

Baking Science

The fine particles dissolve instantly, making it essential for smooth icings and frostings. Contains ~3% cornstarch to prevent clumping.

Recipe Context

For cookies: sugar ratio drives spread and caramelization.

For cakes: sugar level affects tenderness and moisture retention.

For frostings: weight gives repeatable texture batch to batch.

Common Pitfalls

  • Switching brands without re-checking weight can change texture and bake time.
  • Using volume-only measurements for dense ingredients can overshoot recipe targets.
  • Packed vs unpacked sugar measurements are not interchangeable.

Brand Variance & Measuring Method

Baseline reference: 1 cup powdered sugar = 120g. In real kitchens, a practical range is usually 110g-130g per cup (8% band).

Why this happens: granule size, packing, and moisture level shift how much sugar fits in a cup.

Figures use the US cup (236.6 ml).

Common Questions

How many grams is 1 cup of powdered sugar?

1 cup of powdered sugar weighs 120 grams.

What can I substitute for powdered sugar?

Blended Granulated Sugar (Blend 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp cornstarch until powdery)

Explore Powdered Sugar Further

Reference
See powdered sugar in the full measurement table

Cup, tablespoon, and teaspoon weights for all ingredients, sourced and cross-checked.

Open reference →

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