What Is Caster Sugar? 4 Ways to Use Caster Sugar

Caster sugar is a kind of granulated sugar made from sugarcane. It is also known as very fine sugar, superfine sugar, baking sugar, or baker's sugar. Caster sugar is common in grocery stores in the United Kingdom; in the United States, you’re more likely to find it labeled as superfine sugar.

Caster sugar comes in white and golden varieties. Golden caster sugar is less processed and contains small amounts of molasses, lending to its color and buttery, caramel flavor.

Caster sugar and powdered sugar are both types of granulated sugar, but you cannot use them interchangeably. Caster sugar has finer grains than table sugar, but it is not as fine as powdered sugar (also known as confectioner's sugar or icing sugar), which is ground into a fine powder. Powdered sugar sold in grocery stores also has small amounts of cornstarch as an anti-caking agent to prevent it from clumping or caking together.

You can use caster sugar in any recipe that calls for granulated sugar. Because of its small grain size, caster sugar dissolves easily in liquid. Uses for caster sugar include:

1. 1. Pudding: Caster sugar will quickly melt in heat, and you can use it in pudding or custard recipes. You can also use caster sugar to make ice cream and sorbet.
2. 2. Airy desserts: You can use caster sugar to make soufflés, meringues, whipped cream, and mousses, among other light and airy desserts. (Avoid using caster sugar to make icing or frosting because the sugar will not dissolve completely, and the frosting will be gritty—powdered sugar is the go-to sugar for buttercream frosting and icing.)
3. 3. Baked goods: You can substitute caster sugar for granulated sugar at a 1:1 ratio. It dissolves more easily and completely in batter, so bakers prefer it when making delicate sponge cakes. Caster sugar also creates a slight textural difference in baked goods: cookies made from caster sugar are more light and airy.
4. 4. Sweetener: Dissolve caster sugar in beverages as a sweetener. Caster sugar is a popular choice among bartenders when creating simple syrup to make cocktails.

Making homemade caster sugar is simple. Take granulated sugar and pulse it in a food processor or coffee grinder until the sugar crystals are fine grains but not powdery.

If you need a substitute for caster sugar, you can use granulated sugar or raw sugar for similar results.

• Granulated sugar: You can use regular sugar in place of caster sugar for baking recipes, but the texture may be gritty. The best method is to make caster sugar by finely grinding granulated sugar.
• Raw sugar: If you need a substitute for golden caster sugar, raw sugars—such as demerara sugar or turbinado sugar—will give you a similar flavor profile. For best results, grind the raw sugar so that the sugar crystals are smaller. (Avoid using brown sugar because it is moister than golden caster sugar and will give a different texture to your baked goods.)

Become a better baker with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Dominique Ansel, Joanne Chang, Gordon Ramsay, Chef Thomas Keller, Mashama Bailey, and more.