For those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet, finding suitable sugar replacements can be a game-changer, especially when it comes to baking. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to make your own keto-friendly confectioners sugar at home, ensuring you never have to buy expensive or hard-to-find specialty sweeteners again. This recipe is easy to make, tastes like the real thing, and can instantly make any recipe sugar-free. Plus, it's often cheaper than store-bought alternatives.
Why Make Your Own Keto Confectioners Sugar?
Many people are now more conscious of their sugar intake and are seeking healthier alternatives. This homemade sugar-free powdered sugar substitute is a big help in this department. Specialty powdered sweeteners can be prohibitively expensive and difficult to find in regular grocery stores. For example, a package of powdered organic erythritol can cost more than $12 a pound. Making your own allows you to control the ingredients and tailor the sweetness to your liking.
Choosing the Right Sweetener
The key to successful keto confectioners sugar lies in selecting the right granulated sweetener.
Allulose: Among the various sweeteners tested, allulose stands out as a favorite for making powdered sugar, primarily due to its pleasant taste and texture, which closely mimics that of real sugar. Many brands prefer allulose for these qualities.
Erythritol: Organic erythritol can be used as a substitute for xylitol. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar.
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Monk Fruit Sweetener: Monk fruit sweetener is another suitable option.
Xylitol: While some powdered sugar brands use xylitol, it may leave a bitter aftertaste. It is important to note that xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, so exercise caution if you have pets.
Stevia: Stevia is another alternative, but it may require careful blending to avoid a concentrated flavor.
Sucanat, turbinado, or coconut sugar are generally considered the healthiest granulated sweeteners, but they aren't suitable for keto or low-carb diets. If you choose to powder sucanat, the resulting product will be light brown, but it will still work and taste great.
Ingredients and Equipment
You only need a few simple ingredients and tools to make your own keto confectioners sugar:
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- Granulated sweetener of your choice (Allulose, Erythritol, Monk Fruit Sweetener, Xylitol, or Stevia)
- Cornstarch, arrowroot, or tapioca starch (to prevent caking)
- High-speed blender or food processor
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own sugar-free powdered sugar:
- Blend: Place the sweetener and either cornstarch or arrowroot into your blender or food processor.
- Process: Blend on high continuously until the mixture is of uniform powdered consistency. It’ll smoke a little, but that’s okay. You should have powdered sugar in a matter of seconds!
- Store: Transfer your powdered sugar to a sealable container. Powdered sweeteners should be kept in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
Starch: The Anti-Caking Agent
The addition of cornstarch, arrowroot, or tapioca starch is crucial to prevent the powdered sugar from clumping together. You can substitute organic arrowroot or tapioca starch for cornstarch. The cornstarch/other starch portion of the recipe helps the powdered sugar not to cake.
Usage Tips and Ideas
This powdered sugar substitute will work great in anything you would typically use powdered sugar in…and even where you wouldn't. Here are a few ideas:
- Dusting: Use it to dust desserts like cakes, cookies, and pastries.
- Icing: Create a healthy glaze icing by combining 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1 1/2 tbsp milk of choice and 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract. Use in place of regular powdered sugar icing, on cookies or cupcakes, etc.
- Smoothies and Shakes: Add it to smoothies and shakes for a touch of sweetness without the carbs.
- Candies: Incorporate it into homemade candies.
- Dairy-Free Chocolate / Carob Silk Pie with Almond Crust: For another recipe in my collection that uses powdered sweetener, try this Dairy-Free Chocolate / Carob Silk Pie with Almond Crust.
- Macarons: I’d also love to try out Macarons using my homemade sugar free powdered sugar.
Storage Instructions
To maintain its quality, store your homemade sugar-free powdered sugar in an airtight container away from direct sunlight. This will prevent it from clumping and ensure it stays fresh for an extended period. This homemade sugar free powdered sugar stores well so you can make a large batch if want and store in an air tight container in a cool dry place.
Can I use Splenda in place of powdered sugar?
Splenda can be used in place of powdered sugar, but it needs to be blended to a powder-like consistency.
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Confectioners Sugar vs. Powdered Sugar
Technically, they are different, as confectioners’ sugar typically has cornstarch added to prevent caking, whereas powdered sugar is made only with sugar.
Sweetener Blends
Experimenting with sweetener blends can often yield the best results. For instance, some users have found success mixing two parts xylitol with one part Pyure (a stevia and erythritol blend) to create a sweetener that closely mimics the taste and texture of real sugar. If you do not want to buy the erythritol and stevia separately, you can buy Pyure at most walmarts and use 1 cup of that in place of the erythritol and stevia.
A Note on Sweetener Conversion
The conversion for using this sweetener in place of real sugar is just a little over half. To replace one cup of sugar, you would use a little over ½ a cup of this sweetener. Of course, everyone’s tastes vary, so be sure to taste as you go along until you are comfortable with your own measurements.
Final Thoughts
Making your own keto confectioners sugar is a simple and cost-effective way to enjoy your favorite treats without derailing your low-carb lifestyle. With the right sweetener and a few minutes of blending, you can have a versatile sugar substitute that's perfect for all your baking needs.
tags: #keto #confectioners #sugar #recipe