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What is Confectioners' Sugar - What is Powdered Sugar - What is Icing Sugar - What is 10X Sugar
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There are many different types of granulated sugar. Some of these are used only by the food industry and professional bakers and are not available in the supermarket. The types of granulated sugars differ in crystal size. Each crystal size provides unique functional characteristics that make the sugar appropriate for a specific food’s special need. Bakers Special Sugar - The crystal size of Bakers Special is even finer than that of fruit sugar. As its name suggests, it was developed specially for the baking industry. Bakers Special is used for sugaring doughnuts and cookies, as well as in some commercial cake recipes to create a fine crumb texture. Barbados sugar - See Raw Sugar and Muscovado Sugar. Castor/Caster Sugar - Spelled both "caster" and "castor." The spelling castor sugar used to be the prevailing one, but caster sugar seems to be more usual now, perhaps because it is used by some sugar manufacturers on their packaging. See superfine sugar. UK castor/caster sugar is very finely granulated sugar (finer than U.S. granulated sugar) which allows it to dissolve almost instantly. In the United States, superfine sugar or the new Baker's sugar may be substituted. It is called "berry sugar" in British Columbia. Confectioners or Powdered Sugar - In Britain it is called Icing Sugar and in France Sucre Glace. This sugar is granulated sugar ground to a smooth powder and then sifted. It contains about 3% cornstarch to prevent caking. Powdered sugar is ground into three different degrees of fineness. The confectioners sugar available in supermarkets – 10X – is the finest of the three and is used in icings, confections and whipping cream. The other two types of powdered sugar are used by industrial bakers. Coarse Sugar - Also known as Pearl or Decorating Sugar. As its name implies, the crystal size of coarse sugar is larger than that of “regular” sugar. Coarse sugar is recovered when molasses-rich, sugar syrups high in sucrose are allowed to crystallize. The large crystal size of coarse sugar makes it highly resistant to color change or inversion (natural breakdown to fructose and glucose) at cooking and baking temperatures. These characteristics are important in making fondants, confections and liquors. Date Sugar - Date sugar is more a food than a sweetener. It is ground up from dehydrated dates, is high in fiber. Its use is limited by price and the fact it does not dissolve when added to liquids. Fruit Sugar - Fruit sugar is slightly finer than “regular” sugar and is used in dry mixes such as gelatin and pudding desserts, and powdered drinks. Fruit sugar has a more uniform small crystal size than “regular” sugar. The uniformity of crystal size prevents separation or settling of larger crystals to the bottom of the box, an important quality in dry mixes. Granulated Sugar - Also called Table Sugar or White Sugar. This is the sugar most known to consumers, is the sugar found in every home’s sugar bowl, and most commonly used in home food preparation. It is the most common form of sugar and the type most frequently called for in recipes. Its main distinguishing characteristics are a paper-white color and fine crystals.
Raw Sugar - It is essentially the product at the point before the molasses is removed (what’s left after sugarcane has been processed and refined). Popular types of raw sugar include demerara sugar from Guyana and Barbados sugar, a moist, fine textured sugar. Turbinado sugar is raw sugar that has been steam cleaned to remove contaminates., leaving a llight molasses flavored, tan colored sugar. Sanding Sugar - Also known as coarse sugar. A large crystal sugar that is used mainly in the baking and confectionery industries as a sprinkle on top of baked goods. The large crystals reflect light and give the product a sparkling appearance.
Superfine, Ultra fine, or Bar Sugar This sugar’s crystal size is the finest of all the types of
granulated white sugar. It is ideal for delicately textured cakes
and meringues, as well as for sweetening fruits and iced-drinks
since it dissolves easily. In England, a sugar very similar to
superfine sugar is known as Caster or Castor Sugar, named after the type
of shaker in which it is often packaged.
Brown sugar (light and dark) Brown sugar retains some of the surface molasses syrup, which imparts a characteristic pleasurable flavor. Dark brown sugar has a deeper color and stronger molasses flavor than light brown sugar. Lighter types are generally used in baking and making butterscotch, condiments and glazes. The rich, full flavor of dark brown sugar makes it good for gingerbread, mincemeat, baked beans, and other full flavored foods. Demerara sugar - Popular in England, Demerara sugar is a light brown sugar with large golden crystals, which are slightly sticky from the adhering molasses. It is often used in tea, coffee, or on top of hot cereals. Muscovado or Barbados sugar Muscovado sugar, a British specialty brown sugar, is very dark brown and has a particularly strong molasses flavor. The crystals are slightly coarser and stickier in texture than “regular” brown sugar. Free-flowing brown sugars These sugars are specialty products produced by a co-crystallization process. The process yields fine, powder-like brown sugar that is less moist than “regular” brown sugar. Since it is less moist, it does not clump and is free-flowing like white sugar. Turbinado sugar This sugar is raw sugar which has been partially processed, where only the surface molasses has been washed off. It has a blond color and mild brown sugar flavor, and is often used in tea and other beverages.
Liquid Sugar: There are several types of liquid sugar. Liquid sugar (sucrose) is white granulated sugar that has been dissolved in water before it is used. Liquid sugar is ideal for products whose recipes first require sugar to be dissolved. Amber liquid sugar is darker in color and can be used in foods where brown color is desired.Invert sugar - Sucrose can be split into its two component sugars (glucose and fructose). This process is called inversion, and the product is called invert sugar. Commercial invert sugar is a liquid product that contains equal amounts of glucose and fructose. Because fructose is sweeter than either glucose or sucrose, invert sugar is sweeter than white sugar. Commercial liquid invert sugars are prepared as different mixtures of sucrose and invert sugar. For example total invert sugar is half glucose and half fructose, while 50% invert sugar (half of the sucrose has been inverted) is one-half sucrose, one-quarter glucose and one-quarter fructose. Invert sugar is used mainly by food manufacturers to retard the crystallization of sugar and to retain moisture in the packaged food. Which particular invert sugar is used is determined by which function – retarding crystallization or retaining moisture – is required. NOTE: Home cooks make invert sugar whenever a recipe calls for a sugar to be boiled gently in a mixture of water and lemon juice.
Answers: As you already know, confectioners' sugar and powdered sugar are the same thing - there is no difference. This sugar is also sometimes called 10X sugar. 10X sugar refers to the number of time the sugar is processed to produce fine powder. I believe it is a regional thing on which sugar term is used in recipes. In the northwest, where I live, we call it powdered sugar and use that term in our recipes.
I noticed that most of the southern cookbooks call it confectioners' sugar. In Canada and England, it is called icing sugar.
It is no different than the terms used for butter. On the west coast, that is where I am from, we say cubes of butter. On the east coast they say sticks of butter.
There are probably a lot more cooking terms that are used regionally, but that is all I could think of right now.
Mix 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a blender at high
speed for several minutes.
As with most substitutes, the consistency and texture of the dish may be altered.
If at all possible, take the time to purchase and use the sugar asked for in your recipe.
One (1) gram of sugar, like that of any other carbohydrate, provides 4 calories in a person's daily diet. Sugar is converted immediately into the fuels a body needs. Study after study shows that restricting foods or food ingredients won't work.
In fact, it can create a forbidden fruit syndrome that causes individuals to gain weight. Sugar plays a role in helping suppress feelings of hunger,
a plus for those striving to control their weight. Remember - One (1) teaspoon of sugar has only 15 calories.
Sugar (Serving size)
Table Sugar, 1 level
teaspoon (4g)
Table Sugar, 1 heaped
teaspoon (6g)
Table Sugar, 1 cup
Table Sugar, average
(1 cube)
Icing Sugar, 1 average
tablespoon (12g)
For every
cup of flour, use only:
One (1) gram of
fat, on the other hand, deliver 9 calories. Fats are stored
for later use. Energy from fat cell reserves is released only when other
sources are not available. People gain weight
when they take in more calories than they burn. So, if you are concerned about your
weight, eat reasonable amounts, drink plenty of water, and maintain an
appropriate level of physical activity. Sugar is a safe food that can easily be
included in healthful eating. People should limit their sugar intake to
no more than 10 per cent of their daily diet. Artificial Sweeteners - Many
people use artificial sweeteners because they think they are
cutting calories and will lose weight. Often, these people will
eat artificially sweetened foods or drinks and then eat even
more of other foods. They may even end up gaining weight! The
calorie savings with artificial sweeteners are not as great as
most people think. Also remember, artificial sweeteners are not
found in nature. It's not necessary to use artificial sweeteners to eat less sugar because foods
taste just fine made with less sugar. Today's health-conscious consumers need to ask,
"Is saving a few calories worth abandoning an all-natural food
like sugar?" Just a little aside for you - I just read your Q & A on Icing/Confectioners sugar. When I lived in Lancaster, PA,
my Amish (and other) neighbors kept talking about 10X sugar. It turned out to be the name they used for
confectioners sugar. My Amish friend used to buy milk crumbs as well to
make cup cheese. This term certainly took me for a loop! Turns out,
what she was referring to was very dry, large curd cottage cheese. Great
site - I really enjoy it. |
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Types of Sugar article by 
My question always is when reading a recipe is what is the difference between confectioners sugar and powdered sugar.
Why do all recipes call it the first and not the second?