Coloured Sugar Crystals (Edible Glitter)

We define so many events with colour - red & green for Christmas, orange & black for Halloween, red & white for Canada Day, pink or blue for baby showers - and it’s fun to add those hues to our baking. Here’s how to make your own coloured sugar toppings for any occasion, in every colour of the rainbow - and more!

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
15 to 20 minutes
Servings
  • Water Water
  • Gel food colouring (any colour) Gel food colouring (any colour)
  • 1 cup (200 g) Redpath® Granulated Sugar, divided 1 cup (200 g) Redpath® Granulated Sugar, divided
  • 1 cup (200 g) Redpath Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar, divided 1 cup (200 g) Redpath Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar, divided

Equipment:

  • small bowls or resealable bags small bowls or resealable bags
  • baking sheets baking sheets
  • parchment paper parchment paper
  • measuring spoons measuring spoons
  • teaspoons or small spatulas teaspoons or small spatulas
  • bench scraper or knife bench scraper or knife
  • airtight containers airtight containers

Instructions

Coloured sugar crystals decorated on sugar cookies

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Decide how many colours you want to make (2 to 8 colours) from the Redpath® Granulated Sugar and the Redpath Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar. Gather one small bowl or resealable bag for each colour.

Step 2

Get two baking sheets, one for each type of sugar. Line the baking sheets with cut pieces of parchment paper, one for each colour you are planning to make with each type of sugar.

Step 3

Add ⅛ teaspoon of water to each bowl or resealable bag and add 1 or 2 drops of gel food colouring to the water; this helps to “dissolve” the food colouring and makes it easier to colour the sugars.

Step 4

Portion the Redpath® Granulated Sugar into the bowls. If making two colours from the Redpath® Granulated Sugar, divide the amount in half, using ½ cup (100 grams) per colour, per bowl. If making 3 colours, use ⅓ cup (67 grams) per colour, per bowl. If making 4 colours, use ¼ cup (50 grams) per colour, per bowl.

Step 5

With a small spoon or spatula, mix the sugar until the food colouring is evenly distributed throughout. Work out any clumps or darker areas of colouring by using the back of the spoon to spread and rub it into the rest of the sugar. If using a resealable bag, seal the bag, shake and knead the colouring into the sugar until all the sugar is evenly coloured.

Step 6
Step 7

Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven; 15 to 20 minutes. Check every five minutes and rotate the pan throughout the drying process. Sugar will be ready when it is dry and begins to get a “wet”, sparkly look to it; be careful not to melt. Remove from the oven. Place onto a cooling rack to cool.

Step 8

Once sugar is cool enough to handle, remove each colour one at a time, using the edges of the parchment paper to lift each section out. Place the piece of parchment onto a cutting board or dish and break apart any clumps of sugar apart using your fingers. Any difficult pieces can be broken up using a bench scraper or knife. Using the parchment paper, lift the completely cooled coloured sugar and funnel it into a small jar or airtight container. Repeat this process with the remaining colours.

Step 9

Repeat process with the Redpath Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar.

Store sealed jars in a cool, dry place; do not refrigerate.

Sugar cookies decorated with icing and coloured sugar (edible glitter)

Chef's Tip

*There are endless possibilities of what colours can be made by mixing a combination of different coloured food gels into the Redpath® sugars (Granulated or Simply Raw™ Turbinado).

*Ovens may have different hotspots or be off by varying degrees. Rotate and check the sugar every few minutes to ensure sugar dries evenly or isn’t burning or melting.

*Use these coloured sugar crystals to decorate cupcakes, cookies, and cakes.

*If you want a coarser decorating sugar use Redpath® Simply Raw Turbinado; if you want a finer decorating sugar, use Redpath® Granulated Sugar.

*Add sparkle and colour to cocktails or mocktails by using it to rim your glasses.

*Liquid or natural food colouring can also be used. If using liquid food colouring, it isn’t necessary to add water to the bowl and sugar.

*For more intense colour, add a few more drops of food colouring to the sugar. If you’ve added too much colouring, simply add more sugar to lighten the colour.