Can you substitute granulated sugar for confectioners sugar?

Answer 1

In most things, No. Powdered sugar has cornstarch in it and has much less sweetening for the same amount.

Clarification:

Powdered (confectioners) sugar has only a minimal amount of cornstarch, which really doesn't affect the sweetness. The cornstarch is added to prevent the powdered sugar from lumping.

But, as the answer above states, it usually cannot be used as a substitute for granulated sugar since it can result in the recipe not turning out as well.

Answer 2

It depends on what you're doing with it. "Confectioner's Sugar" is more widely known as "powdered sugar". If you're just dissolving it in liquid anyway, then it doesn't matter (much) which you use. If you're trying to make cake frosting with it, then your cake frosting is liable to turn out gritty if you try to use granulated sugar.

Answer 3

I'm afraid not. Although it seems like they should be interchangeable, confectioner's sugar actually absorbs water, whereas granulated sugar does not. If used in a baking recipe, this will lead to some brick-like baked goods if confectioner's sugar is used in the place of granulated.

If granulated sugar is used in the place of confectioner's sugar, the outcome is likely to be runny and granular.

Answer 4

No, it will not work if you are trying to make frosting.