There might be many alternatives, but the best substitutes for icing sugar are what we have here.
Icing sugar (also called confectioner’s sugar) is used in many desserts to sweeten the taste and add body to the product. The reason it’s so effective as an ingredient in sweets is because it dissolves instantly.
Plus, it has virtually no taste or texture of its own, allowing it to blend in with other ingredients seamlessly and easily.
Here are our top picks if you’re looking for the best substitutes for icing sugar that can do the same thing!
1. Xylitol Powder
Xylitol powder is the first of the best substitutes for icing sugar, especially powdered sugar, as it has many of the same properties.
Xylitol is also a natural sweetener derived from plants, so it has no negative health effects like other artificial sugars.
Plus, it can be used in all types of recipes and does not have a strong taste, so it won’t affect flavors like other types of sugars.
Also, it’s often recommended by dentists because xylitol has been shown to reduce cavities and dental plaque when taken daily.
Xylitol powder is less expensive than powdered sugar and can be found at most grocery stores or online.
2. Keto-Friendly Sweetener
When you’re talking about the best substitutes for icing sugar, you’ll need to swap your traditional sweeteners with low-carb alternatives when following a keto diet.
One of the most popular low-carb, keto-friendly sweeteners is Swerve. Swerve is a combination of erythritol and oligosaccharides. It’s available as a powder that can be used to replace regular sugar in recipes.
Also, it is available as a granulated sweetener that looks like table sugar but measures like powdered sugar. You can equally find it in liquid form, that’s great for making frosting or whipping cream into whipped cream.
And it does this without adding carbs from powdered sugar. It has no aftertaste and tastes like regular table sugar but without all the calories and carbs!
3. Powdered Coconut Sugar
We love powdered coconut sugar because it’s a delicious and natural alternative to granulated white sugar.
Not only does it taste amazing, but it also has a nutritional profile that is way better than traditional table sugar.
It has a lower glycemic index and contains vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.
Plus, you can use it in any recipe, just like regular granulated white sugar. In addition to having all of these awesome benefits, powdered coconut sugars are also gluten-free.
In fact, they are vegan-friendly, non-GMO verified, and have zero net carbs or calories. We think this sweetener should be used in every kitchen around the world.
As a result, we put together an awesome list of the best substitutes for icing sugar and included it!
4. Regular Granulated Sugar
When you want to use granulated sugar as a substitute, it’s important to know that it is not an exact replacement. Sugar won’t provide the same texture or sweetness.
For example, with buttercream frosting, if you replace all of the sugar in your recipe with granulated sugar, you will need to increase your amount of butter. Or at least shortening so that your frosting isn’t too dry and crumbly.
Another thing to consider is that because granulated sugar isn’t as sweet as icing sugar, you may want to add more liquid (e.g., milk).
And additional powdered (icing) sugar. All in all, it is still one of the best substitutes for icing sugar that you might eventually prefer!
5. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is one of the best substitutes for icing sugar in recipes. It has a similar consistency and flavor, but it also adds to the sweetness of your dish while not adding any extra calories. However, maple syrup can be expensive, and it’s not always easy to find at grocery stores.
If you don’t have any or are looking for another less expensive alternative, try brown rice syrup or barley malt (or molasses). Both of these sugars are vegan-friendly and can be found at most health food stores.
6. Brown Sugar
When it comes to frostings, baked goods, pancakes, and waffles, brown sugar is one of the best substitutes for icing sugar that you can use. Brown sugar also has some health benefits because it contains iron and calcium.
Another substitute is raw cane or turbinado sugars which are lighter than brown sugars but have a similar taste to white or brown sugars.
Also, there are also granulated sugars like sucrose, which can be used instead of icing sugars. Brown rice syrup is another option to replace your icing sugar because it’s just as sweet as honey or molasses. In addition to that, it has a light flavor that won’t overpower anything.
7. Honey
Honey is a great substitute for icing sugar in many recipes. If you’re looking to replace your white sugar with honey, start by replacing half of the amount of white sugar in your recipe with honey. Honey can also be used as a sweetener in place of corn syrup or maple syrup.
Coupled with that, it’s also perfect for adding a touch of sweetness to your morning cup of coffee! To summarize, a great alternative is honey, which has many health benefits. The downside is that it does have more calories than icing sugar.
However, this shouldn’t be an issue if you’re careful about how much you use. Do you still want other varieties of the best substitutes for icing sugar? We’ve got them coming up, don’t stop reading!
8. Molasses
Molasses is one of the most popular and best substitutes for icing sugar. It’s a thick syrup from boiling down cane juice or sugarcane.
In baking, molasses can be substituted in equal measure with white or brown sugars and has a less sweet taste than both.
Molasses also has rich flavor notes that complement gingerbread and other spiced desserts. The downside to using molasses as a substitute for icing sugar is that it can overpower baked goods in flavor.
So you’ll want to use fewer molasses than you would regular white or brown sugars. But if you’re looking to save money on your cooking budget, this may be just what you’re looking for!
9. Fruit Purees
Many people look for a natural substitute to replace icing sugar in their recipes. Luckily, many substitutes can be used to make your dishes just as sweet and delicious as you’d like them to be. Some of the most popular and best substitutes for icing sugar include Fruit purees.
One great option is using fruit purees like apple sauce, mashed bananas, or berries to create a tasty substitute.
You can also add some cornstarch or an egg white so it will thicken up and make a nice glaze. Finally, Fruit Purees end our list of the best substitutes for icing sugar!
