
Golden Caster Sugar Substitutes
- The easiest substitution is white caster sugar, whether store-bought or homemade. The sugar will react the same in the recipe, creating a similar texture with a minimal flavor difference.
- Demerara and turbinado sugars have similar colors and flavors to golden caster sugar but significantly larger crystals. ...
Full Answer
Can I use granulated sugar instead of caster sugar?
Caster Sugar Substitute. Granulated sugar will usually work just fine as a caster sugar alternative. Substitute on a 1:1 ratio (if your recipe calls for a cup of caster sugar, use a cup of granulated sugar).
What is the difference between caster sugar and powdered sugar?
It has a somewhat gritty texture and is the most common type of sugar stateside. Powdered sugar, also known as confectioner's sugar, is simply granulated sugar that has been ground into a fine powder and combined with cornstarch to keep it from clumping. Caster sugar is somewhere between the two.
Can you use room temperature butter instead of caster sugar?
To better mimic the melting properties of caster sugar, there is a trick you can use. For cakes and cookies that call for room temperature butter, use butter that is slightly colder (but still mixable) and cream the butter and sugar together for longer, allowing the sugar to better combine.
Is castor sugar easy to make?
Castor sugar, also known as caster sugar or super-fine sugar, isn't easy to track down. If you do manage to find it, you'll also probably find that it costs a bit more than you want to spend. The good news is that it's easy to make. Castor sugar is nothing more than granulated sugar that has been ground to a super-fine consistency.

What can be used instead of caster sugar?
Caster sugar is commonly used in baking, it is a component that brings all the sweetness you need into your cakes and dessert treats. If you are ba...
Can I turn granulated sugar into caster?
Perhaps you have some granulated sugar but no caster sugar, and you are just about to get baking. You can turn granulated sugar into caster sugar w...
Can you substitute brown sugar for caster sugar?
Caster sugar is quite simply just a superfine sugar. Whereas the sugar you might put in your coffee or on your cereal is a bit chunkier, caster sug...
Can I substitute powdered sugar for caster sugar?
Caster sugar is very fine, so you may think that substituting it with powdered sugar would work well. But this is not always the case. The best sub...
What Is Caster Sugar?
The world of sugars can be a bit confusing since there are a number of different types of the sweet stuff and names can differ from country to country. Caster sugar is very popular in British baking but less common in American recipes.
Caster Sugar Substitutes
Whether or not you can use a substitute for caster sugar will depend on the recipe. Here are some common substitutions:
How to Make Caster Sugar
If you don't have caster sugar handy and are making a delicate recipe like sponge cake, mousse, or meringue, make your own substitute at home. All you'll need is a food processor (large or small), blender, or coffee grinder and granulated sugar.
Can I Substitute Granulated Sugar for Caster Sugar?
Whether or not you can substitute granulated sugar for caster sugar depends on the recipe. If you're making a standard cake or cookies, then yes. Note that the bigger crystals in granulated sugar may affect the texture, making it slightly grainy. When making cocktails, you'll simply need to stir or shake for longer to allow the sugar to dissolve.
What is Golden Caster Sugar?
Golden caster sugar is made from unrefined sugar cane or sometimes beets and has a subtle buttery flavor. The golden color can help turn baked goods a lovely shade of brown. It is not commonly found outside of the U.K.
Golden Caster Sugar Substitutes
When substituting for golden caster sugar, you have a couple of easy options. Note that we do not recommend using brown sugar since it has more moisture than caster sugar and can have a noticeable effect on the texture.
What Is Caster Sugar?
Caster, or castor, sugar is a type of fine granulated sugar that's widely available in the United Kingdom. It's not quite as common in the United States, though you can find it in some baking aisles under the name "superfine sugar." Its texture is somewhere between regular granulated sugar and confectioners' sugar.
White vs. Golden Caster Sugar
Caster sugar is available in two varieties: white (regular) and golden. The golden variety is unrefined and processed in a way that maintains some of the molasses, similar to brown sugar. It has a warmer, more caramel-like flavor than white caster sugar.
Caster Sugar Uses
Since it's finer than granulated sugar, caster sugar dissolves and incorporates more quickly — this makes it perfect for light and airy desserts like meringues and souffles. It's also often used to sweeten beverages, such as tea, because it doesn't need heat to dissolve.
Caster Sugar vs. Granulated Sugar
Granulated sugar has a larger and coarser grain than caster sugar. Though they can generally be used interchangeably, granulated sugar does not incorporate into batters as quickly. Cakes and other desserts baked with granulated sugar instead of caster sugar sometimes have a speckled appearance due to the undissolved granules.
Caster Sugar vs. Powdered Sugar
Powdered, or confectioners', sugar is finely ground granulated sugar that has been mixed with a small amount of cornstarch to prevent clumping. It's commonly found in frostings and icings or dusted over desserts. Powdered sugar is finer than caster sugar, and the two are usually not interchangeable.
Caster Sugar Substitute
Granulated sugar will usually work just fine as a caster sugar alternative. Substitute on a 1:1 ratio (if your recipe calls for a cup of caster sugar, use a cup of granulated sugar).
How to Make Caster Sugar
The best substitute is DIY caster sugar. Make the British ingredient at home with just granulated sugar and a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder. To make caster sugar, simply pulse or blend granulated sugar until it reaches a finely ground — but not powdery — consistency. Two or three quick pulses will usually do the trick.
What Exactly is Caster Sugar?
There are two types of caster sugar available, white caster sugar and golden caster sugar. The white kind is usually made from cane sugar or sugar beet that has been refined to reach a white color. Its color doesn’t change when baked.
What Can You Use Instead of Caster Sugar?
There are times when making your caster sugar isn’t possible, so here are the best caster sugar substitutes:

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What Is Caster Sugar?
- Caster, or castor, sugar is a type of fine granulated sugar that's widely available in the United Kingdom. It's not quite as common in the United States, though you can find it in some baking aisles under the name "superfine sugar." Its texture is somewhere between regular granulated sugar and confectioners' sugar. What's with the name? Years ago, this type of sugar was often f…
White v Golden Caster Sugar
- Caster sugar is available in two varieties: white (regular) and golden. The golden variety is unrefined and processed in a way that maintains some of the molasses, similar to brown sugar. It has a warmer, more caramel-like flavor than white caster sugar.
Caster Sugar Uses
- Since it's finer than granulated sugar, caster sugar dissolves and incorporates more quickly — this makes it perfect for light and airy desserts like meringues and soufflés. It's also often used to sweeten beverages, such as tea, because it doesn't need heat to dissolve. Really, though, caster sugar can be used in almost any way granulated sugar is used.
Caster Sugar v Granulated Sugar
- Granulated sugar has a larger and coarser grain than caster sugar. Though they can generally be used interchangeably, granulated sugar does not incorporate into batters as quickly. Cakes and other desserts baked with granulated sugar instead of caster sugar sometimes have a speckled appearance due to the undissolved granules.
Caster Sugar v Powdered Sugar
- Powdered, or confectioners', sugar is finely ground granulated sugar that has been mixed with a small amount of cornstarch to prevent clumping. It's commonly found in frostings and icings or dusted over desserts. Powdered sugar is finer than caster sugar, and the two are usually not interchangeable.
Caster Sugar Substitute
- Granulated sugar will usually work just fine as a caster sugar alternative. Substitute on a 1:1 rati…
If you're using granulated sugar in a cake or cookie recipe that calls for caster sugar, use this tip: Start with slightly colder than room temperature butter, then cream the butter and sugar for longer than you normally would. This gives the ingredients time to incorporate.
How to Make Caster Sugar
- The best substitute is DIY caster sugar. Make the British ingredient at home with just granulated sugar and a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder. To make caster sugar, simply pulse or blend granulated sugar until it reaches a finely ground — but not powdery — consistency. Two or three quick pulses will usually do the trick.
Where to Buy Caster Sugar In the
- Bakers located in the U.S. may be able to find superfine sugar on grocery store shelves, but will likely have to visit a specialty store or order the ingredient online.
Caster Sugar Storage
- Store caster sugar in the same way you'd store granulated sugar: In an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Sugars do best at room temperature, so don't worry about keeping it in the fridge.