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Can You Use Powdered Sugar In Coffee?

Will Beck
Last Updated: February 28th, 2023

Have you ever gone to the cupboard to grab some sugar to put in your coffee only to find you don’t have any?

So, in a pinch can you use powdered sugar in coffee? If you want a straight answer, then yes. You can indeed use powdered sugar in your coffee.

But, like any sweetener, there are a couple of other things to know about how it affects your coffee. In this article, we’ll dig deeper into using powdered sugar and how it changes your cup of joe.

Does Powdered Sugar in Coffee Taste Good?

powdered sugar

Using powdered sugar as your coffee’s sweetener makes your coffee taste great. The natural sweetness of powdered sugar is a good complement to the bitterness of coffee.

Also, powdered sugar granules are finer, so they dissolve more easily in your coffee. This adds to your drink’s overall creamy and smooth texture.

Better yet, powdered sugar doesn’t have a strong and intense taste. So, you don’t need to worry about this sweetener overpowering your coffee.

The Difference Between Powdered Sugar and Granulated White Sugar

difference between powdered sugar and granulated white sugar

The main differences between powdered sugar and granulated white sugar are the following:

  • Sugar crystal size
  • How much air is trapped in the crystals
  • Their level of sweetness

Let’s take a closer look at these differences.

Sugar Crystal Size

Granulated sugar crystals are bigger. This is the main reason why they don’t dissolve immediately in liquids. In contrast, powdered sugar crystals are smaller, so they dissolve quicker.

You can usually add the sugar to your coffee, give it a quick stir, and you’ll be all set!

Amount of Air

Powdered sugar has more air in it than white sugar. Because there’s more air trapped, powdered sugar feels lighter.

Their crystals also more easily clump together than granulated white sugar. You’ll need to stir the sugar a bit more to break them up and avoid lumps in your coffee.

Level of Sweetness

Granulated white sugar is less sweet than powdered sugar. This is the main reason why most, if not all, recipes include white sugar instead of powdered sugar.

It’s easy to add too much powdered sugar by accident. If you’re going to add powdered sugar to your coffee, just remember that a little goes a long way.

How Powdered Sugar is Used In Coffee

how powdered sugar is used in coffee

If you want to try using powdered sugar instead of the traditional white sugar in your coffee, you can do it in two ways. Either you add it in directly or make a syrup.

If you want to make a syrup, try dissolving a cup of powdered sugar into a cup of hot water. Just keep stirring to dissolve the sugar. And use it only when it’s cooled.

But if you prefer to add your powdered sugar directly, start at one tablespoon per cup of 8-ounce coffee. Stir your coffee and taste it once all the sugar has dissolved.

Adjust if needed. Remember not to add too much sugar because it makes your coffee too syrupy and sweet.

The Downsides to Using Powdered Sugar in Coffee

Even though using powdered sugar in coffee can make your drink taste great, you should be aware of the downsides.

The only real disadvantage is that powdered sugar contains cornstarch. Cornstarch can make powdered sugar harder to dissolve in your coffee, even when it’s hot.

This is because cornstarch is not soluble in water. If your powdered sugar does not dissolve, it clumps together and gives your coffee a weird taste.

Does Powdered Sugar Have More Calories?

Powdered sugar has a lower weight. As a result, one cup will have fewer calories than the same weight of granulated white sugar in grams. So, even though it’s sweeter, it has fewer calories.

Is Black Coffee Sugar-Free?

Yes, black coffee is sugar-free even though its beans technically contain sugar. This is why most diabetic and health-conscious individuals choose to drink black coffee instead of sweetened coffee.

Are There Low-Sugar Ways To Make Your Coffee Sweeter?

If you’re diabetic, it’s always best to drink black coffee. Even though some sweeteners contain lower sugar content, you’re still better off drinking one with no sweetener.

But, a few alternatives that have less sugar include stevia, honey, and coconut sugar.

Can You Use Powdered Sugar In Coffee – Conclusion

Adding powdered sugar to your coffee can be a unique way to sweeten your drink. It can make it much creamier and sweeter than granulated sugar.

If you plan to use powdered sugar, you can also make a syrup by mixing it in hot water. This helps break up the sugar and avoids it clumping in your coffee.

Have you already tried powdered sugar in your coffee? Let us know what you thought in the comments!

About The Author

Will Beck

Will is a true digital nomad, taking his work on the road at every opportunity. His first love is coffee, with whiskey a close 2nd. He loves nothing more than enjoying a perfectly brewed coffee with spectacular scenery whilst he coordinates behind the scenes of the Drink Stack blog!

Just so you know, if you click on a product on DrinkStack.com and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.


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