How To Make Belgian Pearl Sugar

Today I am sharing how to make Belgian Pearl Sugar at Home. The little pearl of sugar that adds a sweet crunch of wow in baking or even atop ice cream.

How To Make Belgian Pearl Sugar

What Is Belgian Pearl Sugar?

First we need to discuss a few facts about this European delight to understand what the varieties are used for and which one we are making today.

Pearl Sugar Facts

• It is a unique European culinary savor in a variety of baked goods.
• Pearl Sugar has a unique taste and texture also known as nib sugar and hail sugar.
• There are two main types of Pearl Sugar, Belgian and Swedish. They share the same name but the use and outcome of the recipe varies considerably depending on which type of pearl sugar you use. The two are not interchangeable in recipes.

The Difference Between Belgian Pearl Sugar and Swedish Pearl Sugar

Belgian

Belgian Pearl Sugar are dense sweet granules made from sugar beets that resemble pearly white pebbles. This variety is larger than Swedish Pearl Sugar. It can maintain its integrity at a higher cooking temperature.

Swedish Pearl Sugar

Swedish Pearl Sugar has smaller harder sugar granules made by compressing cane sugar. Unlike the caramel crunch of Pearl Sugar, it will dissolve when cooked in dough or batter. It is delicious to top pastries, pies, cakes, cookies, breads, and even candies.

Both pearl sugars have distinct uses. When a recipe calls for pearl sugar, be sure to confirm which variety you need.

I hope you learned something new. Maybe this info will make you the super hero at a future trivia night if nothing else. Wink + Smile.

Needless to say, I don’t have any sugar beets on hand for this crunchy sugar, but today I am showing you a simple and much less expensive way to make this specialty sugar at home using cane sugar.

Ways To Use Belgian Pearl Sugar

• Cookies
• Sweet Rolls
• Muffins
• Scones
• Croissants
• Truffles
• Cakes
• Ice Cream
• Or this delicious Sparkling Charm Sweet Pear Cake!

How To Make Belgian Pearl Sugar Recipe

Notes: There are many recipes online to make your own pearl sugar at home. It certainly is less expensive. Remember, Belgian Pearl Sugar has a milder sweetness because it is made from sugar beets and the granules are larger in size for baking. Making them at home with cane will result in a sweeter flavor and texture verses using authentic Belgian Sugar. Different but still FANTASTICAL in my opinion!

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar cubes, or desired amount you wish to have on hand – Note: Sugar cubes can be found on baked goods aisle in most grocery stores and sometimes on the coffee aisle.
• 1 large sealable bag
• small hammer, meat mallet, solid french rolling pin, or a rock

Instructions

Add the sugar cubes to the sealable bag. Seal shut.

With the hammer, meat mallet, or french rolling pin, or a rock like me ? lightly tap tp crush the sugar cubes into pea sized pieces.

Use a strainer to separate.

Don’t want to make Sugar Pearls at home but want to have some on hand?

I have you covered here too with a few links to have them delivered to your door.

• Swedish Sugar Pearls: Lars | Dansukkr
• Belgian Pearl Sugar: Lars | Waffle Pantry (beet sugar) | Lars Boxed

More Charming Recipes

• Sweet Pear Cake with Belgian Pearl Sugar
• Pink Pearl Apple Tart with Mascarpone Honey Cream
• Apple Harvest Sugar with Maple Walnut Vinaigrette

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