Powdered sugar is a finely ground sugar that’s popular with baking goods. Most people that do a lot of baking will use powdered sugar to add the finishing touch to the food. Confectioner’s sugar needs to be properly stored to prevent it from going bad. Would freezing powdered sugar be an option for storing them?
Can you freeze powdered sugar? Yes, you can freeze powdered sugar, but it’s really not necessary to do so. Storing them at room temperature will keep them fresh as well. Storing them in the freezer could cause them to clump together when it’s thawed.
Do Powdered Sugar Freeze Well?
Powdered sugar freezes well, but it’s not recommended to freeze them. Freezing powdered sugar isn’t the best method for this product. It doesn’t require a cold temperature to keep them fresh. Instead, it needs a cool place like the pantry and properly stored, it will last for years or even indefinitely.
Also, freezing powdered sugar will create moisture in the container that it’s stored in. While it will freeze just fine, the problem starts when it thaw. As it thaws, the moisture will cause the sugar to clump together and not have the texture that you want.
The Best Way to Store Powdered Sugar
If you’re one of those people who use powdered sugar frequently, you don’t need to freeze it. Below are some of the rules to follow to keep powdered sugar from going bad:
Keep it in a cool and dry place. Humidity is the worse thing for sugar. It will cause the powdered sugar to become moist and lumpy.
The best place for storing powdered sugar is in the pantry or cupboard. These places provide the best location for storing sugar.
Keep it in an airtight container. If the powdered sugar is opened, you’ll need to transfer the remaining sugar to an airtight container. If it’s exposed to air for a long time, moisture will start to build up in the package and cause the sugar to go bad.
For an unopened package of powdered sugar, it can be left to store in their original package.
Store it away from spices that have a strong smell. Some spices have a very strong smell to them and the powdered sugar can absorb it. The spices that you should keep the confectioner’s sugar away from are cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and rosemary.
If you’re going to store powdered sugar in the same location for a long time, it’s best to store the spices in another location.
Can You Freeze Powdered Sugar?
You can freeze powdered sugar, but again, it’s not necessary to do so. The shelf life of powdered sugar is the same for both locations in the freezer or pantry.
The main reason why you shouldn’t freeze powdered sugar is the risk of it being damaged by moisture. The longer the confectioner’s sugar is left in the freezer, the higher the chance that moisture will build up in the storage container.
When it does, the powdered sugar will become lumpy when it thaws.
How To Freeze Powdered Sugar
While freezing powdered sugar isn’t necessary, but if you insist on doing so, you can freeze them.
Below are the steps to take to prepare and freeze powdered sugar:
- Remove powdered sugar from their original package.
- Pour the sugar into a freezer bag or an airtight container. Depending on how much and how often you’ll be it for, you can freeze them in portion. This way, you’ll only need to take as much as need without having to freeze any leftovers.
- If using a freezer bag, press on the bag to remove any excess air in the bag before sealing it.
- For an airtight container, make sure the lids have no leaks and then seal it tight.
- For extra protection, you can place the freezer bag into another freezer bag. This will help prevent air from leaking into the bag and destroying the powdered sugar.
How Long Can You Freeze Powdered Sugar?
Powdered sugar that is stored properly will last indefinitely. As long as it’s stored in an airtight container that no moisture is able to leak in and it’s kept away from heat, it will stay fresh forever.
An unopened box of powdered sugar will stay fresh for many years.
However, if the box of powdered sugar is opened, it will be exposed to the elements. Over time, the powdered sugar will start to deteriorate in quality. For that reason, it’s best to use the sugar within 24 months after opening.
How Do You Defrost Powdered Sugar?
To use frozen powdered sugar, simply take as much as you need from the freezer and spread it on a baking sheet.
Once done, immediately place it back in the freezer. You want to avoid leaving them out too long at room temperature as water droplets may start to form in the bag. If it does, you can’t put it back in the freezer as it will cause the powdered sugar to clump together.
Can You Refreeze Powdered Sugar?
Yes, you can refreeze powdered sugar, but only if it has not sat outside the freezer for longer than a couple of minutes.
When powdered sugar is removed from the freezer, it will have some moisture buildup. Keeping it out at room temperature for a long time will cause the confectioner’s sugar to become lumpy due to the moisture.
To ensure that the powdered sugar will not become lumpy when frozen again is to avoid keeping them out of the freezer for too long. After pouring the amount of sugar you need, seal the container and immediately place it back in the freezer.
Related Questions
Can you freeze powdered sugar donuts?
Yes, you can freeze powdered sugar donuts. The key to keeping them tasting fresh is to ensure there are no moisture and air getting to the donut. When freezing the donut, seal them in an airtight container. Make sure there a no leaks in the lid or it will cause the donut to go bad. Properly stored, powdered sugar donuts will last for up to 1 month in the freezer.
Yes, you can freeze powdered sugar cookies. To ensure the cookies taste at it’s best, always store them in an airtight container. Make sure to keep the lid sealed tightly on it. If there air leaks in the container, it will cause moisture to build up. Once you take the cookies out from the freezer, the powdered sugar will become lumpy due to the moisture.