Can you use powdered sugar in coffee? Check out what happens when you put powdered sugar in your cup of joe and other ways to sweeten your coffee.
So, you ran out of granulated sugar for your coffee, and you only have powdered sugar.
So, can you use powdered sugar in coffee?
The short answer is yes.
However, the full answer is a little more complicated than that.
Let’s take a quick look at what you need to know about using powdered sugar in coffee.
What Happens if You Put Powdered Sugar in Coffee?
So, let’s say you put the powdered sugar in coffee.
What happens next?
First, you will notice that it dissolved much faster than regular sugar. This is because powdered sugar is a finely crushed form of granulated sugar.
Adding powdered sugar results in a smoother coffee compared to when using granulated sugar.
So, sounds pretty okay so far, right?
But here’s the main catch.
Powdered sugar is much sweeter. One spoonful of powdered sugar equals about two spoonfuls of regular sugar.
So, be careful not to go overboard. Otherwise, your coffee might be sickeningly sweet!
Powdered Sugar vs. Granulated Sugar
The main difference between powdered sugar and granulated (or regular) sugar is its texture and composition. Granulated sugar is much coarser, while powdered sugar is extremely fine.
However, there are a couple of other key differences to be aware of.
Let’s take a closer look at granulated sugar and powdered sugar.
Granulated Sugar
Granulated sugar or cane sugar is the most common type of sugar people consume.
It is made by extracting cane syrup from the sugar cane plant. Then, manufacturers boil the syrup down to cook off the liquid.
What’s left are the grains of raw sugar. Unrefined sugar is what we know as brown sugar.
But, unrefined sugar can go through some extra processing, and then we get granulated white sugar.
Granulated sugar isn’t sticky, nor is it overly sweet. So, it’s easy to use. You’ll find it as an additive in things like coffee and tea as well as for use in cooking and baking.
Powdered Sugar
To make powdered sugar, manufacturing companies first have to produce granulated sugar.
Once the granulated sugar is obtained, it goes through a process where it’s ground into a fine powder.
This type of sugar is so fine that it’s pretty sticky. To prevent the sugar from forming clumps, it usually has corn starch so that it does not stick.
Powdered sugar contains more air in its composition than granulated sugar. This is because of the powdering process.
Powdered sugar is very useful in icing and decorations. For example, it’s widely used in donuts. However, as we’re discovering, you can also add it to your coffee!
3 Ways to Use Powdered Sugar in Coffee
If you want to use powdered sugar, there are a couple of ways you can do so.
Here are a few fast and easy ways to add powdered sugar to your morning cup of Joe!
Use It As a Regular Sugar Replacement
To use powdered sugar as a replacement for granulated sugar, just add a scoop or two to your coffee.
The only thing you have to remember is to use the correct portions so that your coffee isn’t too sweet. (Half of the amount of regular sugar!)
Simply brew a cup of coffee as usual and measure out the amount of powdered sugar you want to add. Stir your coffee, and enjoy the drink.
Make a Coffee Drizzle Glaze
If you want to get creative, you can also use powdered sugar to make a drizzle glaze.
All you need to make it is:
- 1 ½ tablespoons of strong, brewed coffee
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
With your ingredients in hand, add the sugar and coffee to a bowl. Mix them together until they form a smooth glaze.
Then, drizzle your glaze over an iced coffee. The taste is reminiscent of a caramel macchiato. (Yum!)
Make Dalgona Coffee
Many people post coffee recipes on TikTok, and one that’s been trending is Dalgona coffee.
And I totally get the trend, because this coffee looks so delicious!
Dalgona coffee has a smooth texture and is super sweet. It uses powdered sugar, so it’s a great pick if you’re experimenting with this coffee additive.
To make Dalgona coffee, you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons of instant coffee
- 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cold water
Beat the ingredients together in a not-too-big bowl. Once the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, you can stop beating.
Next, fill a glass with ice and cold milk. Top the cup off with your coffee mixture, and you’re done!
NOTE
It’s best to use an electric mixer to make this coffee. Otherwise, you’re going to be whisking for a very long time.
Other Substitutes for Sugar in Coffee
You can substitute powdered sugar (or regular granulated sugar) with other alternatives. Some of them are actually much more healthy!
Here are a couple that you can experiment with.
Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener that can change the flavor of your coffee. It has different flavors depending on the types of flowers it’s made from.
Add a teaspoon to your coffee for a unique, floral kick to your drink!
The best thing about honey is that it has a lower GI value than sugar.
This means it doesn’t raise your blood sugar as quickly. As a result, it’s a bit healthier and lower risk for those who struggle with high blood sugar.
Plus, honey is rich in healthy nutrients such as:
- vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5
- vitamin C
- calcium
- copper
- iron
- magnesium
- manganese
- phosphorus
- potassium
- zinc
I don’t know about you, but all those vitamins and minerals sound like a good excuse to substitute sugar with honey.
NOTE
Honey contains more calories than sugar, but it’s also sweeter. So, you can use less honey than you would sugar, resulting in fewer calories per cup in total.
Stevia
Stevia is a good sugar substitute if you’re looking for a healthy sweetener for your coffee.
The product is made from the Stevia Rebaudiana plant, and it’s a naturally occurring, calorie-free sweetener.
One of the main compounds in the plant is steviol glycoside, which can be approximately 150 times sweeter than granulated sugar.
One teaspoon of dried leaves is equal to 10 tablespoons of sugar.
So, if you’re adding stevia to your drink, you’ll need a lot less of it. To achieve the sweetness of a sugar packet, just add half a quarter teaspoon of stevia.
Agave
Agave is a sweetener that comes from a special type of succulent. It’s actually produced by the same succulent used to make tequila!
Agave has a thick consistency and tastes similar to honey. So, many people use it as a vegan honey substitute.
Agave is about twice as sweet as refined sugar. So, you’ll want to use half as much agave as you would granulated sugar to sweeten your coffee.
Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar is a fine, white powder, much like granulated sugar. It’s also about as sweet as regular sugar so you can use it in a 1:1 ratio.
Coconut sugar contains more nutrients than other natural sweeteners. So, it’s generally considered pretty healthy.
Try adding a teaspoon or two to your coffee next time you brew a cup, and see if you can taste the difference!
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is a natural sweetener obtained from the sap of the tree of the same name.
Golden, viscous, sweet, and aromatic, maple syrup is comparable to honey or other vegetable syrups.
What’s cool about maple syrup is that it’s also a vegan sweetener. Plus, it adds an autumny taste to your drink!
Maple syrup is around three times sweeter than sugar. Despite that, it’s got fewer calories, so if you’re trying to slim down, this is a good pick.
Conclusion
So, can you use powdered sugar in coffee? Yes!
Powdered sugar can actually make your coffee much smoother and sweeter than granulated sugar. Just make sure that you don’t add too much, or your coffee might taste a bit more like syrup.
Looking for another way to sweeten your coffee? Check out this guide to the best sugar substitutes you can use.
