Sugars, powdered
FDC 169656cup unsifted (120 g)
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Density 3 · -6 vs Sweets medianPowdered sugar, sugar milled fine and blended with a touch of cornstarch, scores 3 of 100 (Low band), ranking 54th of 60 in Sweets against a category median of 9. It has no standout nutrients to report; at 389 calories per 100 grams it is essentially pure carbohydrate, almost all of it sugar.
It's the sugar reached for when icing a cake or dusting a batch of cookies, with a cup unsifted weighing about 120 grams. The caveat is straightforward: it's high in sugars at 97.8 grams per 100 grams, among the most concentrated of any sweetener measured here. Honey ranks a little higher in the same Sweets category, though it carries its own sugar load.
See how this score is calculated, build a plate around sugars, powdered, or compare it with another food.
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 389 kcal | 19% |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 2 mg | 0% |
| Carbohydrate | 100 g | 36% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 98 g | |
| Protein | 0 g | 0% |
| Potassium | 2 mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 1 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.06 mg | 0% |
| Magnesium | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg | 0% |
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 467 kcal | 23% |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 2.4 mg | 0% |
| Carbohydrate | 120 g | 44% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 117 g | |
| Protein | 0 g | 0% |
| Potassium | 2.4 mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 1.2 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.07 mg | 0% |
| Magnesium | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg | 0% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
FDC 169656Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Versus the sweets median
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
More nutrient-dense swaps
Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.
HoneyDensity 3 vs 3Sugar, turbinadoDensity 4 vs 3Candies, butterscotchDensity 4 vs 3Original analysis by NutriVerdict
In the kitchen and how to use it
Powdered sugar, also called confectioners' sugar, is granulated sugar ground into a fine powder and blended with a small amount of cornstarch to keep it from clumping. Its fine texture lets it dissolve almost instantly into liquids, which makes it the standard choice for glazes, icings, and buttercream frostings, as well as a light dusting over doughnuts, brownies, pancakes, and French toast. Because it lacks the grit of granulated sugar, it also whips smoothly into whipped cream and no-bake fillings without leaving a sandy texture behind.
Keep powdered sugar in a sealed container or its original bag in a cool, dry pantry, where it will keep indefinitely as long as moisture stays out; clumping from humidity can usually be fixed by sifting. It is essentially pure sweetness, with 389 calories, 99.8 grams of sugar, and no protein or fat per 100 grams, so it functions strictly as a finishing and baking ingredient rather than an everyday food, and a cup unsifted weighs about 120 grams for recipe conversions.
Frequently asked questions about sugars, powdered
How many calories are in powdered sugar?
Powdered sugar has 389 calories per 100 grams, with 99.8 grams of that as sugar.
What is powdered sugar used for?
It's used to make glazes and icings, whip into fillings, and dust over baked goods like doughnuts and brownies.
How do you store powdered sugar?
Keep it sealed in a cool, dry place; if it clumps from humidity, sifting it before use will smooth it back out.