Caster sugar is an ultra fine sugar that works perfectly for desserts like cakes, meringues, souffles and mousses as it dissolves really quickly. If your stash has been used up, there are many other options to use as alternatives.
Caster sugar differs from granulated sugar as granulated sugar comes in cubic crystals while caster sugar is more similar to table salt. This is especially great when making meringues which requires egg whites being whisked with caster sugar.
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Types of Caster Sugar
There are two types of caster sugar to choose from: white caster sugar and golden caster sugar. White caster sugar is produced from sugar cane and refined sugar beet but its coloring does not change when baked.
On the other hand, golden caster sugar has a light golden color and is produced from unrefined sugar that contains molasses. Its flavor is more complicated and gets dark after baking.
Caster Sugar Substitutes
If you don’t want to make homemade caster sugar, there are several caster sugar replacements. It just depends on which dish you are preparing.
Brown Sugar
If you are baking a cake without any caster sugar, it is possible to use brown sugar as a substitute. This won’t change the flavor of the cake and the overall result won’t be much different.
Brown sugar is a great alternative for this purpose and it will help create a final dish similar to what you would get using normal golden caster sugar.
Honey
Good quality honey can replace caster sugar but honey adds more moisture and chewiness to baked goods. Honey also slightly changes the color of the baked product.
Powdered Sugar
It is commonly thought that caster sugar and powdered sugar are interchangeable. However, powdered sugar is much finer than caster sugar. Using this sugar for its flavor is okay but it should not be used in drinks and cocktails as it creates cloudiness.
Granulated Sugar
Granulated sugar will work differently depending on what you are making. For cakes or cookies, granulated sugar can be substituted for caster sugar.
Keep in mind that granulated sugar has bigger crystals, so it might create a grainy texture.
For more delicate desserts such as meringue or mousse, the grainy texture will definitely be noticeable. Ideally, you should only use caster sugar for these dishes to achieve the best results.
Can You Make Your Own Caster Sugar?
Yes, caster sugar can be made right at home. The only things you need are a food processor or coffee grinder and some granulated sugar.
Simply grind a cup of granulated sugar until you get a fine powder and your caster sugar is ready to go!
How to Substitute Caster Sugar
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- optional other caster sugar substitutes
Instructions
- Use brown sugar or other substitutes to replace caster sugar according to the recipe.
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