Breakfast
Homemade sugar pearls already dry in a white bowl.

Do this yourself pearl sugar recipe it will give you vanilla-flavored sugar pearls perfect for waffles and baked goods, and it will cost you much less than the store-bought version.

What you need: sugar, water and vanilla extract. Don’t have vanilla extract? You can still make it with just sugar and water.

Close up on Belgian sugar pearls.

What is pearl sugar and how to use it

Pearl sugar is sugar that has been compressed into lumps. It adds a layer of texture when sprinkled on the surface of a sweet apple bread and adds a delicious caramel flavor when mixed into classic fluffy waffles. Try adding a little while making these almond milk pancakes – it’s a game changer!

When you search for pearl sugar, you will find two types: Swedish and Belgian pearl sugar.

Swedish pearl sugar has smaller pearls than the Belgian version and is usually sprinkled on the surface of baked goods. A Swedish pearl sugar is smaller than a regular pea and dissolves when incorporated into a batter or dough.

Belgian pearl sugar has larger pearls and does not dissolve when used in baked goods. A Belgian pearl sugar is the size of a peanut.

Belgian pearls are usually incorporated into batters and doughs. When using this type, mix until the pearls are well distributed in the batter/dough.

When you make this DIY pearl sugar, you can (and probably will) both types. Below you can see both large and small sugar pearls made with this DIY recipe.

Glass jars with Swedish and Belgian sugar pearls.Glass jars with Swedish and Belgian sugar pearls.

How to do it

Let’s learn how to make sugar pearls! What you will need:

  • Waterfall: use filtered water whenever possible.
  • Sugar: I tried this recipe with granulated sugar and granulated sugar and both worked. I haven’t tried turbinado or brown sugar yet – tell me in the comments if you do!
  • Vanilla Extract: While this ingredient is optional and can be replaced by the same amount of water, it’s worth adding vanilla for flavor, especially if you’re using good vanilla extract.
  1. Mix all the ingredients in a small saucepan.
  2. Place the pan over a low heat and stir the mixture with a spoon or spatula until small lumps begin to form.
  3. When you’re happy with the size of the clumps, let them dry on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  4. Remove from the heat and leave the lumps to cool on a dry surface. They will harden more once they have completely cooled.

I prefer to use granulated sugar (also called berry or superfine) to make sugar pearls, but granulated sugar is fine too. If you can’t find granulated sugar where you live, you can blend or process the granulated sugar for 2 to 3 minutes to make the sugar granules a little smaller.

With this recipe you will probably get not only large lumps, but also small lumps of sugar. I usually store them in a separate jar and use them to garnish baked goods.

Note: Due to the vanilla extract, the pearls will have a slightly yellowish color.

Sugar pearls dropped into a glass jar.Sugar pearls dropped into a glass jar.

Tips for success

  • Do not add more water than the recipe calls for. You want to add just enough to create clumps of sugar that stick together.
  • Do not cook on high heat otherwise the sugar will caramelize.
  • If there is too much loose sugar, or it is still too difficult to clump, you may want to add 1/2 teaspoon more water.
  • If after 25 minutes the lumps do not seem dry, cook them over low heat for another 5 minutes. Depending on the material and thickness of the pot/pan, it may take more or less time for the beads to dry completely.
Close-up on the sugar pearls made with this recipe.Close-up on the sugar pearls made with this recipe.

How to store pearl sugar

Always store sugar pearls in an airtight container. It can be a plastic or glass container, as long as you store it in a cool, dry place.

Sugar can easily absorb unpleasant odors and develop an unpleasant taste when stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Do not store pearl sugar in the refrigerator or freeze it.

This recipe yields approximately 1 ⅔ cups of pearl sugar.

📖 Recipe

Already dried homemade sugar pearls in a white bowl.Already dried homemade sugar pearls in a white bowl.

Pearl Sugar Recipe

Tatiana Kamakura

This DIY pearl sugar recipe will give you vanilla-flavored pearl sugar that’s perfect for waffles and baked goods, and it will cost you much less than the store-bought version.