Sugar, white, confectioner's, powdered
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Confectioner's sugar, also known as powdered sugar, is a finely milled white sugar with a soft, powdery texture that dissolves instantly on the tongue. It is pure carbohydrate, providing a quick burst of energy with no protein, fat, or fiber. Its hallmark is its ability to create a smooth, non-gritty sweetness in frostings, glazes, and delicate baked goods.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 100% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its magical ability to transform simple desserts—turning a plain brownie into a bakery-style treat with a light dusting, or creating the silky, pipeable frosting on a birthday cake. It's the secret to that perfect, non-gritty sweetness in no-bake cheesecakes and French macarons.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
It is nutritionally devoid, offering only 'empty calories' that can contribute to rapid blood-sugar spikes and provide no satiety. For those managing blood sugar or seeking nutrient-dense foods, it should be used sparingly. To counteract this, pair it with foods containing protein, fat, or fiber (like nuts, whole-grain cake, or fruit) to slow sugar absorption, and practice strict portion control by measuring it rather than dusting freely.
Key benefits
- Instant sweetness and smooth texture in frostings and icings
- Creates a professional 'snowy' dusting on pastries and desserts
- Dissolves seamlessly into cold liquids for sweetening drinks
- Essential for stabilizing whipped cream and meringues
- Provides a quick source of energy
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Most commercial confectioner's sugar contains about 3% cornstarch added as an anti-caking agent to prevent clumping, which is why it's not ideal for making clear syrups or candies where clarity is key.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 0.23 g |
| Energy | 389 kcal |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 99.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 97.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 1.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.06 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 2.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 2.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.01 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
What's the difference between confectioner's sugar and powdered sugar?
They are the same product. 'Powdered sugar' is the common term in the US, while 'icing sugar' is more common in the UK and 'confectioner's sugar' is a formal term used in recipes.
Can I make my own confectioner's sugar?
Yes. Simply blend regular granulated sugar in a high-powered blender or spice grinder until it's a fine powder. For a 1:1 substitute, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of sugar to mimic the commercial product and prevent clumping.
Why does my powdered sugar clump in the jar?
Moisture is the culprit. Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If it does clump, simply sift it through a fine-mesh sieve before using to restore its powdery texture.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.89 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 97.8 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.