Grinding sugar to make caster sugar?

npsmama

I know some of you do this.

I have tried several times but it has never worked - all I get is a tiny bit of 'dust', lots of big sugar crystals and a very hot blender! Even when I process it for say 5 min.

What am I doing wrong??

foreversomeday

Using a blender?

I know we did this once and we just used a pestle and mortar.

Sorry I know this isn't helpful if you need a huge amount!

Churchmouse

I don't know for sure, but I'd assume your blender is not powerful enough for the job I don't have a convential blender, just the stick one, so I have used my coffee/nut grinder to do sugar. That works well, but I don't do it often as it only does a little at a time, so I usually prefer to wait or improvise with other sugar.

Bongedone

When I do it in my blender I get dust only.

EDIT: On another note. You must use the flat blade for grinding. The one that sticks up is for blending.

jennyjelly

Why bother? I do a lot of baking and always use granulated sugar when the recipe says caster - the results are always delicious and nobody could tell.

kippers

I only whizz up in my blender for a few seconds...its always finer than caster sugar but it still cooks ok (i only do it if i have no caster in the house as an emergency)

thriftlady_2

I've never been able to do this either and I've got a powerful food processor.

I agree with Jennyjelly -granulated works perfectly well in all recipes calling for caster except maybe meringues.

kittykat500

Use a grinder and make in batches. Don't let it grind for too long or it will make icing sugar! Otherwise I'd agree with Thriftlady and Jennyjelly - use granulated.

Bree

I tried making caster sugar the other day. I used a grinder attachement for my Kenwood. As kittykat says, don't grind it for too long. On my first attempt I made a batch of icing sugar! With my grinder, I turned it to max, then off again and voila, caster sugar.

lizzyb1812

I just use giranulated. I use my Kenwood to combine butter/sugar and just make sure it mixes until the mix is pale yellow.

And another thought - most basic cake/baking recipes were first invented/used ages ago when sugar was lumps nibbled off a "loaf" - I doubt that the size of the granule was an issue back in the days when Mrs Beeton was a twinkle in her grandmother's eye!

pennyocs

i do it in my blender but have to shake it while its blending but it usually works ok.but if im in a rush i just use normal granulated sugar for baking and that works fine : )