It's easy to make DIY sugar cubes with our step-by-step guide. Sweet!
How to Make Sugar Cubes at Home
Updated on Mar. 20, 2019
Sugar cubes usually conjure up images of friendly horses and tea with the Queen, but the fun-sized morsels can be used for so much more! From sprucing up classic cocktails to giving gift-ready mason jars a homemade touch, there’s more than one reason to keep homemade sugar cubes on hand.
How to Make Sugar Cubes
Ingredients
- Sugar*
- Water
- Coloring (optional)
- Flavoring (optional)
* Pure granulated sugar works best. Find our guide to sugar here.
Instructions
Step 1: Water It Down
Pour your sugar into a bowl and add water until the sugar is just moist. You’ll want to create an even, crumbly texture. If it comes out too watery, add a touch more sugar. Too dry? Sprinkle in some water.
Step 2: Make It Colorful (Optional)
If you want your cubes to pop with vivid color, add a drop of food coloring and stir it into the sugar-and-water mix. It’s best to start small and add more coloring as needed to avoid making the hue too dark. Find the right food coloring for your project.
Step 3: Add Some Flavor (Optional)
Take sweet-tooth satisfaction to the next level by adding flavor to your sugar cubes. Try a splash of vanilla extract, rose water or lemon juice for an easy-peasy improvement. If the additional liquid waters things down, mix in more sugar until the texture is perfect.
Step 4: Make Your Shapes
Use a spoon to place your sugary mixture into a mold. Try using a small ice cube tray, or create fun shapes with a candy mold. Whatever mold you use, make sure you pack the sugar firmly so the cubes hold their shape. Remove excess wet sugar from the tops of the molds with a pastry scraper or brush.
If you don’t have a mold on hand, you can spread the mixture about a half-inch thick on a sheet pan and score with a knife.
Step 5: Let Them Dry
Let the cubes dry completely before removing them from the mold (or cutting into cubes if you didn’t use a mold). The sugar’s consistency, humidity levels and size of the molds can all affect drying times, so we recommend leaving them out overnight at room temperature.
What to Do with Sugar Cubes
How to Use Them
Your homemade sugar cubes are ready to go! Serve them on their own, pair with homemade coffee creamers or make them even more decadent with Christmas decorations.
How to Store Sugar Cubes
Your unused cubes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two years.
Drop a Cube in Your Fancy Coffee
Easy Spiced Morning MochaThis recipe is a delicious morning pick-me-up and still tastes great when made with low-fat milk.—Vicki Wright, Omaha, Nebraska
Coffee with Cinnamon and ClovesA quick-and-easy, fall-flavored coffee made with instant granules. What's not to love about this special beverage? —Jill Garn, Charlotte, Michigan
Caramel MochaIf you crave cafe-style coffees at home, here's a recipe for caramel mocha. You can make this decadent, sweet recipe within a few minutes and have a drink that rivals what you'd get at a coffeehouse.
Comforting Coffee MilkThis recipe is special to me because the delicious ingredients and flavors speak for themselves without those extra preservatives. Now that’s refreshing! —Brenda Schrag, Farmington, New Mexico
Holiday Peppermint MochaMake spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Irish CoffeeIrish coffee, with a splash of Irish whiskey, sugar and cream, is a classic recipe for a reason. Cozy up with this easy-to-make boozy treat. Sláinte!
Mocha Morning DrinkWhen I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel as if I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana
Caramel-Chai Tea LatteInspired by the spicy chai drinks served at coffee shops, I whipped up a caramel-drizzled latte I can enjoy at home anytime. —Katelyn Kelly, Perryville, Maryland
Hazelnut Mocha SmoothiesThis smooth blend of coffee, cocoa and nutty flavors is better than any coffeehouse version we've tried. Try it, and we're sure you will agree. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Coconut Lover's FrappeI love frozen beverages, so I wanted to create one similar to those in coffee shops but without coffee as an ingredient. When I drink this frosty treat it's as good as any specialty shop drink but without the hassle or the cost. —Emily Semmelrock, Jewett City, Connecticut
Sweet Kahlua CoffeeI have this beverage brewing in my slow cooker at my annual Christmas open house. I set out the whipped cream and grated chocolate in festive dishes so guests can help themselves to as much Kahlua-flavored coffee as they'd like.—Ruth Gruchow, Yorba Linda, California
Frosty Caramel CappuccinoThis frothy iced cappuccino is positively delicious for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack or an after-dinner dessert. It's also a great quick treat to serve with a plate of cookies for the holidays. To make the ice cream topping easier to drizzle, put it in a squeeze bottle, take the cap off and microwave for a few seconds. —Carol Mann, Summerfield, Florida
Hot Ginger CoffeeI like to sit by the fire and sip this coffee on a cold winter day. It's a wonderful warmup after shoveling snow, skiing, skating or snowmobiling. —Audrey Thibodeau, Gilbert, Arizona
Iced CoffeeWhen my sister introduced me to iced coffee, I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Not only did I love it, but I decided to start making my own iced coffee recipe. This easy version is a refreshing alternative to hot coffee. —Jenny Reece, Lowry, Minnesota
Cappuccino PunchWhen I tried this punch at a friend's wedding shower, I had to have the recipe. Guests will eagerly gather around the punch bowl when you ladle out this frothy mocha ice cream drink. —Rose Reich, Nampa, Idaho
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