5 Simple Colored Sugars with Custom Flavors
Instead of buying colored sanding sugar, why not make it yourself? These recipes are easy and simple using granulated sugar, the 4 standard colors that come in a food dye package along with optional corresponding flavors using flavoring extracts. Use colored sugar to add color, sparkle, and additional flavoring to your cake, cookie, cupcake, or cinnamon roll frosting. Sweeten your favorite beverage like lemonade, hot chocolate, coffee, or tea. Why not sprinkle it on toast with butter for a fun and colorful sweet breakfast treat or afternoon snack?
Ingredients
Yellow Sugar with Optional Lemon or Banana Flavoring:
- 1 plastic ziptop quart size bag or glass jar with screw-top lid
- 50 g (¼ cup) granulated cane sugar larger granules are best
- 3 drops liquid yellow food coloring
- ⅛-½ tsp lemon or banana extracts optional
Green Sugar with Optional Peppermint or Mint Flavoring:
- 1 plastic ziptop quart size bag or glass jar with screw-top lid
- 50 g (¼ cup) granulated cane sugar larger granules are best
- 3 drops liquid green food coloring
- ⅛-½ tsp peppermint or mint extract optional
Orange Sanding Sugar with Optional Orange Flavoring:
- 1 plastic ziptop quart size bag or glass jar with screw-top lid
- 50 g (¼ cup) granulated cane sugar larger granules are best
- 3 drops liquid red food coloring
- 2 drops liquid yellow food coloring
- ⅛-½ tsp orange extract optional
Purple Sanding Sugar with Optional Almond, Vanilla, or Anise (Licorice) Flavoring:
- 1 plastic ziptop quart size bag or glass jar with screw-top lid
- 50 g (¼ cup) granulated cane sugar larger granules are best
- 3 drops liquid red food coloring
- 2 drops liquid blue food coloring
- ⅛-½ tsp almond, vanilla, or anise (licorice) extract (optional)
Pink Sanding Sugar with Optional Strawberry-Watermelon Flavoring:
- 1 plastic ziptop quart size bag or glass jar with screw-top lid
- 50 g (¼ cup) granulated cane sugar larger granules are best
- 3 drops liquid red food coloring
- 1 drop liquid blue food coloring
- ⅛-½ tsp strawberry extract or MIO strawberry/watermelon liquid water flavoring optional
Instructions
- For each color above, add sugar to the ziptop bag or small glass container. Add appropriate amounts of food coloring and optional extracts. Zip bag (with air left to create a bubble for the sugar to move) or seal container. Shake until the color is dispersed and evenly coats the sugar granules.TIP 1: Add more food coloring to reach desired color. TIP 2: You may start with ⅛ tsp of extracts, but the flavors are very nuanced or hardly detected for some of them. I prefer to use a ¼ tsp and add another ¼ as desired.TIP 3: To accurately measure extracts and prevent waste, very carefully pour desired amount in an ⅛ to ¼ tsp over a larger spoon. Return excess extract that may have fallen in the larger spoon back into the original extract bottle.TIP 4: If clumps of wet remain, break them up using your hands to squeeze the bag or a spatula in the jar.
- Pour each sugar out of bag or container onto a sheet of wax paper on a baking sheet and spread it out using a spatula. Keep multiple colors and flavors separate using the edge of the wax paper as a barrier in between each. Allow each color to dry uncovered for a couple of hours to overnight at room temperature. Use sugar as desired.TIP: Once dry, taste the sugar. If more flavoring or color is desired, return the sugar to the bag or container and repeat by adding more color or extract. Then, pour out onto wax paper again allowing time to dry.
Video
Notes
*If you want more sugar, add the amount you need and begin with the same amount of food coloring and extracts as directed in the above recipes. Add more as needed to reach desired color and flavor.
Storage Suggestion:
Once dry, you can use the sugars in whatever capacity you desire. For longer storage, place them in separate sealed containers or bags and store at room temperature until needed. They will keep for months in the pantry. Suggestions on Using Colored Sugar:
Once dry, you can use the sugars in whatever capacity you desire. For longer storage, place them in separate sealed containers or bags and store at room temperature until needed. They will keep for months in the pantry. Suggestions on Using Colored Sugar:
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- Breakfast: sprinkle some over your oatmeal, waffles, pancakes, buttered toast, or over the frosting of a pan of cinnamon rolls.
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- Dessert or snack: sprinkle some over a bowl of ice cream (or whipped topping), frosted sugar cookies, frosted cakes, and frosted cupcakes prior to drying.
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- Beverages: use it as the main sugar in your single serving of hot chocolate or coffee or sprinkle it over some whipped cream topped hot chocolate or coffee. Use it to sweeten lemonade, iced tea, or hot tea.