How to Make DIY Sanding Sugar: 3 Sanding Sugar Substitutes

Sanding sugar (also called sugar sand) is a special type of sugar with large, coarse granules and a shiny, polished appearance that holds its sparkly look even under baking heat. Confectioners and decorators typically make sanding sugar in various colors using food coloring, sprinkling it over the tops of baked goods, like sugar cookies, scones, gingerbread houses, and muffins for a decorative finishing touch. For this same reason, mixologists sometimes use colored sanding sugar on the rims of cocktail glasses.

Sanding sugar is closely related to several different types of sugars, so substituting it in a recipe is usually straightforward. Here are some substitutes you can use if you don’t have any sanding sugar on hand:

1. 1. Coarse sugars like turbinado and demerara: Sanding sugar is most similar in appearance to large crystal sugars, like decorating sugar, sparkling sugar (also called edible glitter), pearl sugar, and raw sugars like turbinado or demerara sugar. Thus, using one of these coarse options will often result in a very similar outcome, whether for cake decorating or finishing muffins. However, turbinado sugar crystals will melt or dull under heat, so they won’t result in as shiny or sparkly an outcome as sanding sugar.
2. 2. Finer sugars like caster or muscovado: While sanding sugar has larger crystals and a special shimmer appearance that makes it more decorative than other sugars in cake and cookie decorating, you can substitute a finer sugar in a pinch for a similar taste and a less polished result. Opt for regular granulated sugar or superfine sugar (also called caster sugar) for a similar taste, or light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, or muscovado sugar as sweeteners with a deeper flavor; powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar) is likely too fine and may significantly change the texture or look of your baked goods.
3. 3. DIY sanding sugar: If you can’t find sanding sugar in the baking aisle at your local grocery store, it’s easy to make your own sanding sugar at home out of any other granulated sugar you have on hand and a few simple baking supplies.

You can make sanding sugar with a handful of ingredients. First, you’ll need a cup of granulated white sugar (demerara or decorating sugar will also work) and food coloring (either liquid food coloring or gel food coloring), or water if you’re making a standard white option. Here is a step-by-step guide to making sanding sugar:

1. 1. Preheat the oven and bag the sugar. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour the granulated sugar into a heavy-duty sealable plastic bag.
2. 2. Add food coloring. Add a drop of liquid or gel color (or water, if you’re making white sanding sugar). Seal the bag and massage it with your hands to spread the liquid around—it’s all right if the sugar clumps slightly. Ensure the liquid is completely dispersed through the bag, and add more if necessary. You can also use multiple bags to make a few types of sanding sugar in different colors.
3. 3. Pour the sugar onto a cookie sheet. Place a layer of tin foil or a silicone mat on a cookie sheet and pour the sugar in a mound on the foil. Do not spread the sugar out in a thin layer because this will cause it to melt faster and burn in the oven.
4. 4. Bake the sugar. Place the sugar in the oven and check on it every two or so minutes. The goal is to dry the sugar and allow the outside of each granule to melt ever so slightly, resulting in a shiny, sparkly look. Continue to check on your sugar to ensure it’s not burning or melting—once it looks shiny and dry, remove it from the oven and allow it to dry.
5. 5. Sift to remove the clumps. Sift the sugar through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any clumps. Avoid using a food processor to break up the sugar, since this will result in a finer-grain sugar than traditional sanding sugar.
6. 6. Store the sugar. Store the sugar in an airtight container. Sanding sugar will keep for several months in a cool, dry place.

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