Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. But if you’re checking out my coffee blog, I don’t need to convince you of that!
Whether an early riser or a late-night caffeine fiend, you’ve had your fair share of coffee over the years. While many people enjoy their cup of joe plain and simple, others like to add a little sweetness to it.
Table sugar, also known as granulated sugar, is often the first sweetener people grab for their usual cup of coffee. But it’s not the only one.
In this post, we’ll explore a few different ways to sweeten your morning cup of joe and why you might want to consider using powdered sugar to take your black coffee from bland to delightful!
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost if you purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information and privacy policy. Certain images on this page are courtesy of Canva.
What is powdered sugar?
Powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar, is regular granulated sugar that has been ground into a fine powder-like texture.
The fine consistency of this kind of sugar makes it ideal for use in glazes, frostings and gracing the tops of fritters and donuts everywhere.
When made commercially, it’sit’s usually mixed with a small amount of cornstarch to prevent it from clumping together.
Although powdered sugar itself dissolves quickly in liquids, corn starch does not dissolve.
This means that when using commercial powdered sugar, you may end up with a bit of sludge at the bottom of your cup.
I’ve found this to be true of other sweeteners, especially depending on the drink’s temperature.
So if you want to avoid sludge, skip powdered sugar or make your own version without adding cornstarch.
Why is powdered sugar an excellent choice for coffee?
Thanks to its fine particles, powdered sugar dissolves well in liquids.
Other types of sugar, such as cane sugar and plain white sugar, have larger particles and don’t seem to dissolve as completely as powdered sugar.
I’ve also found that you can use less powdered sugar and maintain the desired sweetness level for your favorite drinks because it dissolves so much better.
And confectioner’sconfectioner’s sugar is the best way to sweeten your coffee if you enjoy a more subtly sweet flavor.
Powdered sugar has a relatively long shelf life of around 2 years as long as you store it in an airtight container away from heat and sun.
And you can even quickly whip up a batch yourself!
How do you make powdered sugar at home?
Whipping up a batch of powdered sugar is simple.
Add 1 cup of granulated sugar to a food processor, coffee grinder, or spice grinder and grind to your desired consistency. A powerful blender also works well for this project.
You can add a tablespoon or so of cornstarch to the mix if you want to replicate the commercial version of powdered sugar.
But leave the cornstarch out if you prefer your drink without sludge at the bottom.
Can you add powdered sugar to hot and iced coffee drinks?
Powdered sugar dissolves best in hot liquids, but you can also use it in cold drinks.
I prefer to use espresso for my cold coffee drinks and recommend whisking the powdered sugar into the espresso while it’s hot.
You could also whisk the powdered sugar into a small amount of hot water before adding it to your cold coffee recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make a simple syrup with powdered sugar?
Yes. The basic simple syrup recipe calls for a cup of regular sugar or raw cane sugar mixed with a cup of water.
Due to the fine consistency of confectioner’s sugar, you will need slightly more of it to end up with the same sweetness as simple syrup made with the regular granulated form.
Can you use brown sugar to sweeten your morning coffee?
Absolutely! Although there are differences in what is considered brown sugar, many varieties are refined white sugar with added molasses.
Dark brown sugar generally has more molasses. The darker the sugar, the more caramel flavor will pop out, making it the perfect coffee sweetener for caramel lovers!
Is brown sugar healthier than white sugar?
No research supports brown sugar as having more significant health benefits than regular table sugar. Your body processes brown and white sugar in similar ways.
What is turbinado sugar?
Turbinado sugar is a type of raw cane sugar.
This type of sugar has been processed minimally and still contains some natural molasses flavor.
It’s slightly coarser than regular granulated white sugar, making it great for recipes that call for large crystal-like pieces of sugar. It also works well in coffee drinks as a sweetener.
What is coconut sugar?
Coconut sugar is made from the sap of coconut palms.
It has a mild flavor similar to light brown sugar but contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals like zinc, iron, calcium, and potassium.
Coconut sugar has been advertised as a healthy alternative to table sugar due to its slightly lower glycemic index; however, it’s not significantly more nutritious than regular table sugar.
What are alternatives to using sugar to sweeten coffee?
Agave nectar is a popular choice for sweetening teas and coffees. You can also use maple syrup or honey to give your coffee a slightly sweeter flavor.
And if you’re trying to eat less sugar, try sweetening with Stevia instead.
Final Thoughts
Powdered sugar is a great way to sweeten your morning cup of coffee, as it dissolves quickly and evenly.
You can even make your own version at home by grinding up regular granulated sugar in a food processor or grinder.
And if you prefer something other than powdered sugar, try using agave nectar, maple syrup, honey, or Stevia to sweeten your drinks.
No matter what type of sweetener you choose, it’s always best to use sparingly, and remember that moderation is key!
If you loved this post, check out a few other helpful posts:
- How to Make an Irresistible Chocolate Caramel Latte
- How to Make a S’mores Mocha Latte
- How to Make the Perfect Peppermint Latte
- How to Make a Copycat Dunkin’ Donuts Dunkaccino
- How to Make Your Own Version of Dutch Bros Cocomo
- How to Make a Copycat Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- How to Make a Strawberry Latte
- How to Make Dutch Bros Christmas Morning
- The Ultimate Guide to Making Dutch Bros Soft Top
- The Best Ways to Make Decaf Cold Brew
