Digital Kitchen Scale
Essential for cup-to-gram accuracy and repeatable bakes.
Shop scales ↗Powdered Sugar
Sugars & SweetenersGranulated sugar ground to a fine powder with a small amount of cornstarch added.
Reviewed by CupOrGram Editorial TeamData methodology: NIST-derived density references + recipe testing notesMethodology
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.
Conversions
| cups | grams |
|---|---|
| 1/4 cups | 33.1 grams |
| 1/3 cups | 43.7 grams |
| 1/2 cups | 66.2 grams |
| 1 cups | 132 grams |
| 1.50 cups | 199 grams |
| 2 cups | 265 grams |
| 3 cups | 397 grams |
| 4 cups | 530 grams |
Density: 0.56 g/ml
Quick Convert
Density-accurate conversions for baking
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grams
Science Note: Precision within +/-0.002g
Recommended Tools & Pantry Picks for Powdered Sugar
Optional shopping references for bakers who want to compare tools and pantry options related to powdered sugar.
Measuring Cup & Spoon Set
Useful for quick volume checks before converting to weight.
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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.