What to use instead of caster sugar

Caster sugar is an ultra fine sugar that is mainly used for making cakes, meringues, souffles and mousses. In this article, we are going to discuss some substitutes for caster sugar.

Caster sugar is widely used in making desserts or any kind of drinks because it dissolves very quickly. Caster sugar is different from granulated sugar as granulated sugar is found in the form of cubic crystals while the texture of caster sugar is almost like that of table salt. There is no difference in taste between regular granulated sugar and caster sugar and the only reason it is used is because caster sugar dissolves very easily. This is specially beneficial in the case of making meringues which is prepared by whisking egg whites with caster sugar.

There are basically two types of caster sugar available and they are white caster sugar and golden caster sugar. White caster sugar is made from sugar cane or sugar beet that has been refined and it is white in color and it does not change color while baking. Golden caster sugar, on the other hand, is light golden in color and is made from unrefined sugar which has molasses left in it. It has a more complex flavor than white caster sugar and it darkens after baking. This is the preferred sugar of choice for making baked caramel custard. There are many substitute for caster sugar that you can use if you are out of it.

How to Make Caster Sugar?

If you do not have any caster sugar and your recipe calls for it, before looking for a viable caster sugar substitute, you can try making caster sugar at home. It is very easy to make caster sugar at home and all you need is regular granulated sugar with a food processor or a coffee grinder. Just grind a cup of granulated sugar in a coffee grinder or a food processor until you get a fine powder. Your caster sugar is ready for use.

Substitute for Caster Sugar

If you do not want to be bothered with making caster sugar at home, then you can try various caster sugar replacement. Deciding on which substitute to use depends to a large extent on which dish you are preparing.

• If you are baking a cake where the color of the sugar is of no importance, then you can use brown sugar or demerara sugar. Using brown sugar or demerara sugar won’t change the taste of the baked cake.
• If you need a substitute for caster sugar for making puddings, pies or pastries, you can use maple syrup or corn syrup.

• You can also use good quality honey as a caster sugar substitute although baked products tends to get more moister and chewier when honey is added. Honey also brings about a slight color difference to the baked product.
• If you are watching your weight, then you can use artificial sweeteners instead of caster sugar in your recipe.

• The best substitute for golden caster sugar is dark brown sugar and muscovado sugar. Both dark brown sugar and muscovado sugar gives intense flavor to the dish that it is added to.
• Another viable substitute for caster sugar is powdered sugar. However avoid using powdered sugar in drinks and cocktails as it tends to make the drinks cloudy.

Many people assume that caster sugar and powdered sugar are the same thing. However there is some difference between caster sugar and powdered sugar. Powdered sugar is completely pulverized into fine powder and it is much finer than caster sugar. Moreover, powdered sugar has some amount of cornflour added to it, to prevent it from clumping. They are both used in baked goods and drinks, and get instantly absorbed. If you are considering caster sugar vs granulated sugar then the main difference between them is that caster sugar is finer than granulated sugar.

The glycolic acid content in caster sugar is very high as it is made from cane sugar. So what is a better substitute for caster sugar? Powdered sugar or granulated sugar? Powdered sugar is the best substitute for caster sugar, followed by demerara sugar and brown sugar.

Caster sugar, also referred to as superfine sugar is a delicate, but not powdery form of white sugar. It is used to attain a specific density, caramelization, or smooth aeration in desserts and baking. 

Although there is no difference in the taste of white granular sugar and caster sugar, the latter is preferred for certain food preparations because it dissolves much quicker. 

Caster sugar is required often in cake, meringue, souffle, and mousse recipes. If you have run out while baking, the good news is that there are a few simple substitutes you can use instead. 

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know when looking for a caster sugar replacement.

Types of Caster Sugar

There are two main types of caster sugar:

White caster sugar is made from refined sugar cane or sugar beet. It is snowy white and does not change color while baking.

Golden caster sugar is a light golden color. It is made from unrefined sugar that has molasses left in it. The flavor is more complex, and it darkens when baked. Golden caster sugar is preferred when making baked caramel custard.

What To Do When You Run Out Of Caster Sugar?

The type of caster sugar replacement you use will depend on your recipe and the role it plays in your dish.

Make Caster Sugar at Home

The best substitute when you have run out of caster sugar is to make it yourself. There are many applications where using other sugar substitutes will give you the same result as using caster sugar. However, when it comes to making light, airy cakes, meringues, or souffle, sticking to the recipe is best. 

Using powdered or granular sugar as a substitute in meringues and souffle can result in a heavy, flat, or grainy texture, instead of the light fluffy rise you are looking for. Making your own caster sugar is simple and worth the effort to ensure your recipe turns out as it should.

How to Make Caster Sugar From Granulated Sugar

To make your own caster sugar, you will need a clean spice or coffee grinder, food processor, or blender. Whichever device you have will work well. 

For every 1 cup of caster sugar your recipe calls for, place 1 cup plus two teaspoons of granulated white sugar into the device you are using.

Pulse the granulated sugar for a few seconds until it is finer in texture. You are aiming for a crystal size in between that of granulated and powdered sugar. Do not grind it so much that it forms a powder or clumps together (you will have to start again if it goes that far).

Let the sugar settle to prevent a cloud of sugar dust from escaping when you open the top. Pour the fine sugar through a sieve before adding it to the other ingredients to ensure any big pieces are separated.

If you are using a large food processor, add enough granular sugar to cover the blades. Use the amount the recipe calls for and keep the rest in a labeled airtight container for when you need it again.

Best Caster Sugar Alternative for Baking Cakes and Cookies

If your cookie recipe calls for caster sugar, the same amount of white granulated sugar will work well in most cases. When using granulated sugar instead of caster sugar in cakes and lighter cookies, use butter that is slightly cold, but still mixable, instead of room temperature butter. 

Cream the butter and sugar together with a beater or by hand for a little longer. This will allow larger sugar crystals to combine well into the mixture.

Best Caster Sugar Alternative for Berries and Sauces

Regular granulated sugar and powdered sugar can be mixed with berries or into sauces. The larger sugar crystals will take longer to dissolve. Give the sugar extra time to dissolve when sprinkling on berries. Mix the sugar well on low heat for sauces to ensure the crystals dissolve completely. 

If you use powdered sugar, note that it can be sweeter, and you will use slightly less.  Sprinkle lightly and add small amounts at a time if needed. Powdered sugar will dissolve almost immediately.

Best Caster Sugar Alternative for Cocktails

Granulated sugar can be used for shaken cocktails. It will take longer to dissolve so will require a bit more shaking and stirring. Simple syrup is also ideal as it dissolves immediately in the liquid. It can water down the drink slightly.

Best Caster Sugar Alternative for Meringues or Angel Food Cake

Recipes that require beating egg whites with sugar can substitute granulated sugar in place of caster sugar cup for cup. Make sure to mix the sugar and egg whites at a lower speed to give the sugar more time to melt. 

Meringues won’t have the same consistency and will be somewhat granular in texture.

Golden Caster Sugar Substitutes

It is not recommended to use brown sugar as a replacement for golden caster sugar. Brown sugar contains more moisture which will have an effect on the texture of your baked goods.

Regular caster sugar is the best substitution, whether store-bought or homemade. Your end product will be exactly the same in texture. There may be a slight difference in flavor, although this might not be noticeable in some recipes.

Demerara or Turbinado sugar can be used only if the large crystals are ground in a blender or food processor before using. This will break down the crystal size to be more like that of golden caster sugar.

See more: Brown sugar substitute

FAQs

Is confectioner’s sugar the same as powdered sugar?

Yes, powdered sugar, icing sugar, and confectioners’ sugar are the same product. Granulated sugar that has been ground to a powder can go by any of these names. Sometimes corn starch is added to keep it from clumping.

Can I use honey instead of caster sugar?

Honey will only be suitable as a replacement for caster sugar in a recipe where the sugar is needed for sweetness only. If castor sugar is required as an aeration or textural component, honey won’t work. Honey can be used in syrups, sauces, and cocktails but not in meringues or souffle as a substitute.

How do you know if caster sugar has gone bad?

Lumps in sugar do not mean that the sugar is off. It is just a sign that the sugar crystals have been exposed to moisture. Simply break up the lumps by pressing them through a sieve to restore the natural consistency.

Does caster sugar weigh the same as granular sugar?

Since castor sugar is finer, there is less space between the crystals, and it packs slightly more densely than regular sugar. A cup of castor sugar will therefore be slightly heavier than a cup of regular sugar.

Conclusion

The caster sugar replacement you choose will depend largely on the type of dish you are making. To play it safe, simply grind up granulated sugar into finer crystals, and you have the perfect, failproof caster sugar replacement for any application. It really is that easy. Happy baking!

Up next:

• Does Sugar Go Bad?
• Substitute for brown sugar without molasses

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