How to Make Sanding Sugar

Want to make your own sanding sugar? Use this recipe to make beautiful sanding sugar that can be used in many different types of recipes from desserts to punch to cocktails.

How to Make Sanding Sugar

I use a lot of sanding sugar in my recipes. I use it for some of my cocktail recipes and some of my specialty desserts.  Even though it is extremely easy to make sanding sugar, I am just lazy and I would rather buy it. And I tend to buy a lot of them.  I really should start making them all more often and just have them stored in my baking cabinet. If I do decide to do that, I think I will get these small containers to store the sanding sugars in.

What Is Sanding Sugar For

Sanding sugar is just a fancy name for colored sugar. It is often seen in the same area of the store as the sprinkles and other baking supplies. Sometimes, the sanding sugars are a little more course with larger crystals than regular sugar but essentially it is the same thing. When it is on top of baked goods or glassses, the difference in the size doesn’t matter.

Sugar sand is great to use on rims of glasses, like my cocktails, to decorate cookies and cakes and other desserts. My kids love to use the sanding sugars on just about any cookies we make, sometimes before we bake them or after on icing.

Recipes that Use Sanding Sugar

• Peeps Cookies
• Candy Corn Brownie Bites
• The Amazing Spiderman Punch
• Easter Punch – Perfect for Kids
• Non Alcoholic St. Patrick’s Day Punch
• Vampire Drink Halloween Cocktail
• Queen of Hearts Cocktail
• Peppermint Patty Drink | Peppermint Patty Martini
• Grinch Cocktail – A Drink for Christmas
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini
• Kinky Pina Colada
• MAD HATTER MARTINI
• Cheshire Cat Inspired Cocktail

How Long Does Sugar Sand Last

Sugar sand can last years as long as it is stored in an airtight container and does not get wet. When you are dipping for or glasses into the sanding sugar make sure to pour the sugar onto a plate or a bowl and not use the container that the sugar is stored in.

Ingredients in Sanding Sugar

• Granulated Sugar
• Food Coloring in a variety of colors

How to Make Sanding Sugar

Pour your sugar into a plastic baggie.

Add in a few drops of food coloring. Remember to start small. Add one or two drops in at a time. You can always add more color but you can not take it out.

From the outside of the bag, mix the sugar and food coloring around until all the sugar is dyed.

Repeat for however many colors you need. Store in an airtight container.

NOTE: If you find that the sugar seems to wet, you can fix that by adding some cornstarch. This absorbs the extra food coloring while still giving you a bight color. Because you are only adding a little bit, it does not affect the taste of it either.

NOTE: If you want a softer color, use gel color and a tooth pick. This creates a lighter color.

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Make Your Own Sanding Sugar

Want to make your own sanding sugar? Use this recipe to make beautiful sanding sugar that can be used in many different types of recipes from desserts to punch to cocktails.

Author: Our Wabi Sabi Life

Ingredients

• Sugar – I usually use 1/3 cup
• Food Coloring

Instructions

1. Pour your sugar into a plastic baggie.
2. Add in a few drops of food coloring. Remember to start small. Add one or two drops in at a time. You can always add more color but you can not take it out.
3. From the outside of the bag, mix the sugar and food coloring around until all the sugar is dyed.
4. Repeat for how ever many colors you need. Store in an airtight container.