We got a Christmas card in the mail.  It was blue and sparkly with all kinds of snowflakes covered in glitter.  It also gave me an idea to use some sprinkles on some cookies. There is nothing quite like a cookie covered with sparkling dazzling glitter sugar.

However, I used up the remaining decorative sanding sugar trying out a new recipe and felt sad. That was until I came across an old box of food coloring digging around for more toppings.  I wonder if I can make my own? Can I make epic sparkly dazzling glitter sugar coating?

I figured why not try it?  I decided to scoop out a cup of sugar, and divided it into four sandwich bags.  Each bag, I put three drops of food coloring. Then I squeezed out the air, shut up the bag and smushed it around.  I added a bit more food coloring as I went until I got some pretty nice colors.  I suspect if I wanted richer colors, I should try gel food coloring next time. Perhaps the generic store brand that’s over 3 years past the best by date isn’t ideal.

The cat fascinated with this process, decided to help by knocking sugar onto the floor.  I highly recommend closing the bags firmly if you have cats.  A bit damp after mixing, so I spread it on some waxed paper on a baking sheet and stuck it in the oven a few hours to dry out. 

This was mostly to avoid the cat using it as a litter pan. He was seriously obsessed with this entire process.  The oven was still a bit warm from making cookies and I smelled it starting to warm up.  I rushed over and the heat turned the pile of sugar into clumps.  It was worrisome at first but I relaxed when it easily broke back into small bits. It also made it feel a bit more gritty like real sugar sprinkles.

Saving a trip to the store and about $10 by making my own is awesome.  I stored some in the old container and felt very pleased with myself. 

When I went online later, apparently this isn’t a new idea.  All of my friends were like “oh yeah, I did that back in 1989.”  Funny how new to us isn’t always that inventive. Well maybe the name sparkly dazzling glitter sugar will be new? Perhaps. I’m not going to google.

Glitter Sugar

You can easily learn how to make your own sanding sugar for decorations. By adding food coloring to sugar and drying it out, you can have pretty sparkling glitter sugar for decorating cakes, cookies and even ice cream. Enjoy this simple and yet fun project.

Print Recipe

Prep Time15 minutes minutes

Rest Time2 hours hours

Total Time2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings6

Calories 16

Ingredients

• 2 tbs (1oz) sugar
• 1-10 drops liquid food coloring

Instructions

• Line baking trays with wax paper or parchment paper.
• Divide sugar into four sandwich bags and squeeze several drops of food coloring into each bag.
• Remove air and seal bag
• Squeeze sugar until well incorporated and the food coloring is throughly mixed. Add additional food coloring to get darker shades.
• Spread onto baking trays and allow to dry completely.
• Store in air tight containers or bags.

Notes

If desired, you can speed up drying time by heating in oven for 7 minutes at 200F (100C.)

Nutrition Facts

Glitter Sugar

Serving Size

 

1 tsp

Amount per Serving

Calories

16

% Daily Value*

Carbohydrates

 

4

g

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

* Calories provided as a courtesy and not guaranteed.