People who love to drink coffee the traditional way know how black coffee, creamer, and granulated sugar work best together. They create the perfect balance of strong, sweet, and creamy coffee that gives a great kick to start the day. Unlike coffees sold in coffee shops that use syrups and sauces to make their drinks sweet, nothing beats the classic sugar and creamer combo for a cup of joe.
However, running out of one of these two ingredients can be a struggle when making coffee. Read on whether alternatives such as powdered sugar could work well in coffee.
Can You Use Powdered Sugar in Coffee?
If you’re wondering whether you could use powdered sugar in coffee, yes, you can! Simply put, powdered sugar is just a finer version of granulated sugar that you usually use. Also called confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, it is almost close to a chalk-like texture because of its fine powder granules. It also dissolves easily to make your coffee sweet. (Read Cream And Sugar In Coffee)
Granulated Sugar vs. Powdered Sugar: How Do They Differ?
Granulated white sugar is what we typically have at home. Also known as table sugar, it is usually the primary sweetener in coffee syrups, which comes from cane sugar or beet sugar. Its straightforward sweet taste doesn’t alter the taste of your coffee, unlike other kinds.
Powdered sugar, on the other hand, refers to any variety of refined sugars that have been finely ground into powder. Because of its fine size and texture, it’s ideal for baking, such as icing, frosting, and even candies.
Here’s a quick comparison if you’re confused what’s the difference between these two:
Size
Granulated sugar has larger crystals than powdered sugar. Since it’s more prominent in size, it doesn’t easily dissolve in liquids like water or coffee. Meanwhile, powdered sugar is very fine in size, making it dissolve more quickly than granulated.
Air
Unlike granulated sugar, powdered sugar has more air, making it lighter when you hold it. The presence of air in the sugar also causes it to clump together and turn into cubes when left exposed.
Sweetness
Powdered sugar tends to be sweeter than granulated sugar, so some recipes require fewer amounts of granulated than powdered sugar.
Ways to Use Powdered Sugar in Coffee
There are many ways to level up your coffee experience besides directly adding powdered sugar. Here are other ways you can do this:
As a coffee drizzle glaze
Like Starbucks’ famous drizzle glaze, you can also use powdered sugar to make it for your coffee or as a topping in pastries and other baked goods.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of coffee
Procedure:
Whisk the powdered sugar and coffee together until you reach your desired thickness. Once smooth, you can use it as a topping on your favorite coffee!
As a sweetener for dalgona coffee
When making the famous Dalgona or whipped coffee, powdered sugar works best as a sweetener. It helps achieve the perfect fluffiness of the whipped coffee to enjoy it.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of instant coffee
- 2 tablespoons of water
- 1 bowl
- Optional: hand mixer
Procedure:
Whisk all the ingredients together in the bowl. It might take some time if you’re only mixing it by hand. You may also use a hand mixer for faster results. Just continue mixing until the mixture becomes fluffy like whipped cream. (Read Can You Buy Coffee With Food Stamps)
Once fluffy, you may use it as a topping for a glass filled with ice and milk. Mix it with your drink, or let it drip as you drink your coffee!
Other Kinds of Sugar You Can Use for Coffee
If you’re looking for better alternatives than powdered sugar that works well with coffee, you may opt for these other kinds:
Raw Sugar
As its name implies, raw sugar is minimally processed sugar. Also referred to as turbinado or muscovado sugar, this type is the golden unrefined form of brown sugar obtained from sugar cane juice. It has a lighter taste and a more coarse texture than brown sugar.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is produced when molasses is added to white sugar. According to studies, brown sugar is ten calories less than white sugar, has less mineral content, and slightly alters the coffee taste.
Coconut Sugar
Also called coconut palm sugar, this natural sugar is made from coconut palm sap, the sugary circulating fluid of the coconut plant. Its color is quite similar to raw sugar, but it is smaller and more variable in size.
Different Sweeteners, You Can Use for Coffee
Sugar is one of the many sweeteners you can use for your coffee. If you run out of it in your pantry, you can also reach out for these alternatives:
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener that makes an excellent alternative to white sugar. It is extracted from the plant species Stevia rabaudiana and is calorie-free, making it a better option for coffee lovers watching out for their calories.
Xylitol
Yet another low-calorie sweetener, Xylitol is perfect for people conscious of sugar levels. This sugar is extracted from corncobs and is healthier than regular sugar. When it comes to taste, you wouldn’t tell its difference from white sugar because they taste the same.
Honey
Honey works best as a sweetener for teas, but you can also use it for hot coffee. It is packed with antioxidants like coffee, which can help lower the risk of contracting diseases. Honey has more calories than sugar, though, so best to still use it in moderation despite its added benefits.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup also works well with hot coffee, which makes it a nutritious alternative to sugar. Like honey, maple syrup has the same vitamins and minerals and a lower glycemic index than sugar, which raises blood glucose levels slower than sugar. (Learn How Many Tablespoons Are In A Pound Of Coffee)
Agave
Agave is a plant-based sweetener from blue agave plants, a genus of the Asparagaceae family. Compared to regular sugar, agave has more calories, but it has essential vitamins that benefit our health.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon also makes an excellent sweetener for coffee, which creates a distinct taste once mixed. This specific spice is also known to help reduce triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood glucose for those with diabetes, making it a great alternative. At times, a dash of cinnamon already works to make your coffee flavorful.
Cocoa Powder
You’re missing out if you still haven’t tried adding cocoa powder to your coffee! Coffee and chocolate go well together, which gives your coffee a distinct taste. The difference between cocoa powder and chocolate syrup is that the former has less sugar, which makes it a healthier alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have unanswered questions, these pieces of information might help:
Can I use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar in coffee?
Yes, you can use powdered sugar as a substitute for granulated sugar in coffee. You can add powdered sugar directly to your hot coffee, just like how you do with granulated sugar. For the best taste, which is not too strong and too sweet, you can add one tbsp of powdered sugar per 8 oz of coffee.
Can you use confectioner’s sugar instead of granulated sugar in coffee?
Confectioner’s sugar is just powdered sugar. Yes, you may use it as a substitute for granulated sugar. Remember that confectioner’s sugar tends to be sweeter than granulated, so Adding too much powdered sugar can make your coffee overly sweet.
Can I use powdered sugar in an iced coffee?
Yes, you can use powdered sugar in iced coffee. You can add it as it is or add a serving of whipped cream, which has been sweetened with powder for a little twist.
Does powdered sugar taste the same as regular sugar in coffee?
Yes, powdered sugar tastes the same as granulated sugar in coffee, although it would take a bigger serving for powdered sugar to achieve the sweetness of regular sugar. For reference, two tablespoons of granulated sugar would require at least a quarter cup of powdered sugar.
Can I use powdered sugar in tea?
Yes, you can use powdered sugar as a sweetener for your tea. Add just a teaspoon of powdered sugar and gradually add depending on your desired sweetness.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t any rule regarding what you can and cannot add to your coffee – it all boils down to your reference. If powdered sugar is too sweet or bland for your liking, you may opt for other sweetener alternatives that suit your taste.
But if powdered sugar is your only substitute at home, you can freely use it in coffee or tea however you want to! It easily dissolves, tastes just like regular sugar, and provides the same enjoyable experience for coffee lovers!