How to Make Homemade Sugar Cubes

Download Article

4 Recipe Ratings

Reviewed by Maria Short

Last Updated: May 3, 2023

Download Article

ARTICLE

VIDEO

Sugar cubes are extremely simple to make at home - all you need is sugar and water. In addition to standard cubes, you can add color and flavor to add fun flair to a tea party or another gathering. Learn how to make sugar cubes using two different methods: using a pan in the oven or an ice cube tray you leave out overnight.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making Sugar Cubes in the Oven

Download Article

You can use any type of sugar except powdered sugar. Choose raw sugar, brown sugar, or plain granulated sugar.
Pour it over the sugar evenly and let it sit for a few seconds.

Advertisement
Try to remove the clumps of sugar and make a smooth mixture. If clumps of sugar remain, continue mixing to remove them. The sugar is ready when it retains it shape when lightly pressed.
You can use a bread pan, a loaf pan, or any type of glass or metal pan that is oven safe.
5
Pour the sugar onto the parchment paper. Pack the sugar into the base of the pan very tightly with a spatula or another tool that is stiff and flat. The height should be similar to a commercial sugar cube, around 1.27cm/1/2 an inch.
- If you want sugar pieces that aren't shaped like cubes, pour the sugar into oven-safe candy molds or muffin tins.
- If you have candy molds that aren't oven safe, you can still use them. Pour the sugar into the molds and use a spatula to flatten the tops. Instead of putting the molds in the oven, cover them loosely with parchment paper and leave them on the counter overnight. They'll be hard by morning.
Using a knife, cut the sugar sheet into cubes of the size you want. Try to cut neat, even squares. Do not forget this step; if you do, you will end up with a sugar block, rather than sugar cubes.
Set a timer for 1 hour.
After one 1 hour, take the pan out and let the sugar cubes cool for at least 10 minutes.
Pull the sugar cubes out of the pan and break them apart with your hands or something smooth like a knife. If cut properly, they will break fairly easy.
Put the sugar cubes into an airtight container for future use. Or, pop them into your coffee or tea right now and enjoy.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Ice Cube Tray Version

Download Article

This method works best if you choose silicon ice cube trays with cute shapes, such as hearts, stars, animals or something quirkier than the same old cube. Silicon trays are the best because you'll be able to remove the sugar cubes much more easily, with less likelihood of damaging them.
You can make more than 1/2 a cup's worth but this is a good amount for a beginner to play with.
3
Add a teaspoon of water into the sugar and mix. Continue adding water a teaspoonful at a time until you have mixed together a paste of sugar and water. Don't make it too gooey or wet, or the sugar will dissolve.
- At this stage you can mix in a few drops of food coloring to make colored cubes.
- Consider adding a few drops of vanilla, almond, or lemon extract to make flavored sugar.
Fill the molds about halfway only.
Press down into the molds with the back of a spoon to make an even surface and to pack the sugar down so that it sticks together.
Set the tray aside in a dry spot to let the water evaporate. If it's humid in your kitchen, the cubes might not set.
Remove each piece of sugar by carefully pushing from the base of the ice cube tray and tapping gently into the palm of your hand. Store in an airtight container or use straight away.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Will it still work if you use aluminum foil instead of parchment paper?

Community Answer

Yes, but you may have a harder time trying to separate the cubes from the foil, causing the cubes to break.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 12
Question

How long does this usually take?

Community Answer

It depends on which method you use, but it looks like at least 1.5 hours for the first method. The second method depends on how long it takes for your sugar to dry.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 11
Question

Are these horse safe?

Infinityhappycat

Community Answer

If you use a clean pan and horse-safe sugar, yes, they should be safe for a horse to eat.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 11

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Read Video Transcript

Tips

Store sugar cubes away from moisture for it it to last up to two years. ^{[1]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Flavored sugar cubes are always a great candy, such as using vanilla or cinnamon sugar instead of raw or granulated. Brown sugar also makes an interesting color contrast from the usual white sugar cubes.

Thanks
Helpful 9 Not Helpful 3
You can substitute one teaspoon of water for a flavoring. Vanilla extract, cinnamon extract, etc.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Make sure to use the exact amount of water in the first method. Too little water will make the sugar cubes crumble, and too much water will make them rock solid.

Thanks
Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0