--- title: "Superfine sugar: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "Superfine sugar is white sugar with very fine crystals that dissolve fast, ideal for meringues and sponges. In the UK it is called caster sugar." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/superfine-sugar" --- # Superfine sugar Superfine sugar is white sugar with very fine crystals that dissolve fast, ideal for meringues and sponges. In the UK it is called caster sugar. Also called Caster sugar, Castor sugar, Baker's sugar, Bar sugar. Superfine sugar (caster sugar in the UK) is white sugar ground into crystals smaller than ordinary granulated sugar but not as fine as a powder. Because the crystals are small, they dissolve quickly in egg whites, cream and cold drinks, and they blend smoothly into butter. It is used in meringues, sponge cakes, shortbread, custards and cocktails. ## How to do it To make your own: 1. Put granulated sugar in a [food processor](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/food-processor) or a clean spice grinder. 2. Pulse for 30 to 60 seconds, until the crystals look fine and sandy. 3. Let the dust settle for a minute before you open the lid. Do not keep going, or it turns into a powder close to [powdered sugar](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/powdered-sugar), which behaves differently. ## Why it works Fine crystals cut more, smaller air pockets into butter when you [cream](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/cream) it, which gives a lighter cake. In a [meringue](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/meringue), they dissolve in the egg white before it reaches [stiff peaks](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/stiff-peaks). Undissolved sugar leaks out as sticky beads of syrup after baking. ## How to use it The same sugar is sold under several names: * Caster sugar, sometimes spelled castor sugar, in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The name comes from the caster, a small pot with holes in the lid used to sprinkle sugar. * Superfine sugar in the US, and also baker's sugar. * Bar sugar in the US, for cocktails, because it dissolves in cold drinks. * Golden caster sugar, in the UK, is a less refined version with a pale golden color and a light caramel note. British cake recipes use superfine sugar wherever an American recipe would use regular granulated sugar. In most cases granulated sugar works fine as a swap. ## Substitutes Granulated sugar is the easiest swap, one for one by weight. It is fine in most cakes and cookies. For meringues and pavlovas, grind it first, or add it very slowly while whisking. ## Common mistakes * Swapping powdered sugar for superfine sugar. Powdered sugar is much finer and often contains starch, which changes the texture. * Measuring it by volume as if it were granulated. A cup of superfine sugar weighs a little more, about 220 g instead of 200 g. Weigh it. ## In recipes You will see "150 g caster sugar", "¾ cup superfine sugar" and "golden caster sugar". To test a meringue, rub a little between your fingers. If it feels gritty, keep whisking. ## Recipes that use it 11 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/sprinkledippedmeringues.jpg)Sprinkle Dipped Meringueswww.skinnytaste.com · 180 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/sprinkle-dipped-meringues/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2015/07/mojito-2.jpg)Mojitowww.onceuponachef.com · 5 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/mojitos-2.html) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/chocolate-pistachio-biscotti.jpg)Chocolate Pistachio Biscottiwww.skinnytaste.com · 45 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/chocolate-pistachio-biscotti/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2024/04/pavlova.jpg)Pavlovawww.onceuponachef.com · 120 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/pavlova.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2015/03/Baileys-Irish-Cream-Tiramisu-scaled.jpg)Irish Cream Tiramisuwww.onceuponachef.com · 20 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/irish-cream-tiramisu.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2024/03/Chocolate-Pavlova-Hero-1.jpg)Chocolate Pavlova with Mascarpone Cream & Raspberrieswww.onceuponachef.com · 95 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/double-chocolate-pavlova-with-marscapone-cream-raspberries.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2011/06/Screen-Shot-2017-04-26-at-1.22.18-PM.png)White Wine Sangriawww.onceuponachef.com · 15 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/sparkling-white-sangria.html) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/chocolate-chip-chocolate-biscotti.jpg)Chocolate Chocolate Chip Biscottiwww.skinnytaste.com · 45 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/chocolate-chocolate-chip-biscotti/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/halloween-meringue-ghost-cupcakes.jpg)Meringue Ghostswww.skinnytaste.com · 120 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/meringue-ghosts/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/low-fat-pistachio-cranberry-biscotti.jpg)Cranberry Pistachio Biscottiwww.skinnytaste.com · 45 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/pistachio-cranberry-biscotti/) * [![](https://minimalistbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Chocolate-Shortcakes-SQUARE.jpg)Double Chocolate Shortcake (Vegan)minimalistbaker.com · 30 min](https://minimalistbaker.com/double-chocolate-shortcake-vegan/) ## Related terms * [Powdered sugarPowdered sugar is sugar ground to a fine powder for frosting, glazes and dusting. In the UK it is icing sugar, in the US also confectioners' sugar.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/powdered-sugar) * [MeringueMeringue is egg whites whipped with sugar into a glossy foam, baked crisp or used soft on pies. Here are the French, Swiss and Italian methods and fixes.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/meringue) * [Brown sugarBrown sugar is white sugar with molasses, moist and caramel-flavored. Here are light vs dark, UK soft brown and muscovado, and Swedish farinsocker.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/brown-sugar) * [CreamCreaming is beating butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. It traps air that helps cakes and cookies rise. Here is how long it takes.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/cream) * [Food processorA food processor is an electric machine with a spinning blade and discs that chops, purees, slices and mixes dough in seconds. Here is how to use one well.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/food-processor) * [Stiff peaksStiff peaks are when whipped egg whites or cream stand straight up off the whisk without bending. Here is how to reach the stage without overwhipping.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/stiff-peaks) [More in regional names](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/regional-names)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)