What is caster sugar? Let’s take a look at the different types of sugars often used in baking to understand why we use them, what makes them different, and the substitutions that are available.
- What is caster sugar?
- Can I use granulated sugar instead of caster sugar?
- Where can I buy caster sugar?
- Can I make my own caster sugar?
- Why is caster sugar used in baking?
- What is golden caster sugar?
- What is brown sugar?
- Can brown sugar be substituted for caster sugar?
- When a recipe says brown sugar, does it mean light or dark brown sugar?
- What is icing sugar?
- Are caster sugar and icing sugar the same?
- Is powdered sugar the same as icing sugar?
Today we’re taking a break from baking to talk all things sugar. (nerd alert 👩🍳)
As an Australian blogger, one of the most common questions I get asked is, ‘What is caster sugar?’ I’ve learnt that while it’s a common baking ingredient here in Australia (I use it in most of my cookies and cakes), it doesn’t seem to be readily available around the world.
So if you’ve been wondering what caster sugar is and what sugar you can use in your baking instead, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve put together the most commonly asked questions about sugar and baking (including ones that I’ve asked myself over the years) to ensure you have success in your kitchen.
What is caster sugar?
Caster sugar is a refined white sugar that is commonly used for baking in Australia and also the UK. It looks like this >
Can I use granulated sugar instead of caster sugar?
Yes. While caster sugar and granulated sugar are not exactly the same, they can be swapped 1:1 in baking recipes. Caster sugar is slightly finer and dissolves more easily, but in my experience, this doesn’t affect most baking recipes if swapped with granulated sugar.
Where can I buy caster sugar?
Here in Australia, caster sugar is sold at all major supermarkets. If it’s not readily available in your country, I suggest you save yourself the headache and just use granulated sugar or similar instead.
Can I make my own caster sugar?
To make your own caster sugar, you can process granulated sugar in a powerful food processor or blender to get a finer texture. I wouldn’t worry though as it won’t make a big difference to the final result in most baking recipes.
Why is caster sugar used in baking?
Caster sugar is often used in baking cookies, cakes, cupcakes and muffins because of it’s light texture and ability to dissolve easily. It is almost always used when baking and is rarely used raw. It is NOT used for icing, frostings or buttercream.
What is golden caster sugar?
Golden caster sugar is caster sugar that has been processed in a way that keeps some molasses (just like brown sugar), therefore giving it a slightly light brown colour and a more buttery, caramel flavour. If you don’t have it, just use regular caster sugar instead.
What is brown sugar?
Brown sugar is a partially refined sugar that has molasses added to it – hence the brown colour. The presence of molasses gives the sugar a distinct caramel flavour.
Can brown sugar be substituted for caster sugar?
This is a tricky one. In some baking recipes yes, in others, perhaps not. Brown sugar and caster sugar are different. They produce different flavours and react differently when baked. More often than not, there’s a reason the recipe writer has chosen to use a particular type of sugar in their recipe.
It’s not to say the recipe won’t work, but bear in mind, it’s likely to alter the look and taste of the final product if you don’t use the sugars that are specified in the recipe.
When a recipe says brown sugar, does it mean light or dark brown sugar?
Good question. Here in Australia, we have a product called brown sugar. It’s most commonly used in baking and is not defined as being light nor dark. However, when compared to American-style light and dark brown sugar, I would suggest it is closer to light brown sugar. It looks like this >
What is icing sugar?
Icing sugar is a very, very finely ground white sugar, that is so fine it resembles a white powder. It is often used to make frostings or buttercream for cakes.
Are caster sugar and icing sugar the same?
No. Caster sugar is NOT the same as icing sugar. Do not substitute these two sugars for each other.
Is powdered sugar the same as icing sugar?
YES. Powdered sugar, confectioner’s sugar and icing sugar are all one and the same. Here in Australia, it’s called icing sugar.
If you have any burning sugar-related questions that I didn’t answer, please leave a comment below.
cookie chandler says
In the US, Baker’s sugar is the equivalent of caster sugar.
Marque Mo says
Thank you for your very clear explanations. The photos were a very helpful addition.
Jessica Holmes says
Glad it was helpful!
Tammy says
Thank you so much! This was just what I needed! Merry Christmas!!
Sunny says
Thank you for adding clarity to this aspect of baking!
Rekha Shah says
I’m satisfied by reading all about caster sugar,brown sugar nd all type of other sugar which you have mentioned in this article.. thanks for sharing 👍 😊
Maureen says
In Choc Chip cookies where both brown and white sugars are called for can I combine their weight and use raw sugar instead. Is raw a fair substitute for the combination? Thanks for your reply😃
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Maureen, the main issue would probably be with texture as raw sugar is quite coarse and won’t dissolve as easily.
Aki says
FYI. What in the UK/Australia is caster sugar in the US is sold in grocery stores as superfine sugar.
Alicia says
I concur–superfine is not difficult to find here in NYC.
Elena says
Hi!
Could you please advise if I can substitute the brown sugar with coconut sugar or Golden monkfruit sweetener?
(For the glycemic reason I do not use regular white or brown sugar)
Jessica Holmes says
I’m not sure story! I don’t have much experience baking with those sugar alternatives.
Gloria says
Does icing sugar also have cornstarch in it to prevent caking?
They do that in the US and it can effect the baking.
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Gloria, yes some do! Often here in Australia, it will be called ‘icing sugar mixture’ instead of pure icing sugar.
Gloria says
Thanks for responding! So if I see icing sugar (not mixture) in a recipe I can substitute it with granulated sugar that I’ve ground myself?
I ask because I like to toast my sugar before using it in baking and I’d like that caramel flavor with confectioners/icing sugar too.
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Gloria, yes you can make your own icing sugar but you’ll need to grind it very finely to be equivalent to the store-bought kind.
Ford says
Thanks so much for your perfect description of these different worded sugars
Janelle says
Just made Caster sugar for dusting on a batch of candied grapefruit rinds. I prefer the finer sugar so that there aren’t any granules to crunch.
Anna says
Hi! I was wondering if I was making a chocolate mousse dessert that required golden caster sugar would is ok to use just regular white sugar? Because I also don’t have caster sugar. Thanks!
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Anna, it’s hard to say without trying the recipe myself but my guess is it would be ok!
Ronda says
I used my “MAGIC BULLET” to make caster sugar and it worked amazingly well and it didn’t scratch the jar at all!! :o)
Shilvi says
Hey i m from india.
Is the icing sugar and the regular sugar powder which we get from blending it in blender the same thing?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Shilvi, yes you can make your own icing or powdered sugar but processing caster sugar until it is very fine using a high powdered blender. A little cornflour or corn starch is usually added to help keep it dry.
Lucija says
Hi Jess!
First of, thanks for the thorough explanation on the different sugar types!
I’m having an off topic question: I noticed that some Australian recipes use cornflour in baked goods (especially in cake sponges). I tried figuring out what that would be since we don’t use it that often here in Europe :). Is it actually cornstarch? Or just finely ground corn flour? I wasn’t able to find such flour in our stores, but I don’t want to use the regular corn flour since it’s pretty coarse. Do you maybe have any suggestions what can I substitute it with? 🙂
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Lucija, great question! Our cornflour is actually cornstarch – I believe it’s the same thing just a different name. I hope that helps!
Lucija says
Great, thank you for your reply! 🙂
Lorraine says
Here in Canada, I have not been able to purchase “caster sugar”. Often I will add regular sugar to the blender to make it finer. However, I am wondering if Fruit Sugar could be substituted for caster sugar
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Lorraine, that’s a great trick to blend regular sugar to make your own caster sugar. We actually don’t have fruit sugar here in Australia so I’m not sure – sorry!