Sanding Sugar

What Is Sanding Sugar?

Sanding sugar is a large crystal sugar used as an edible decoration that will not dissolve when subjected to heat. Also called pearl sugar or decorating sugar, sanding sugar adds "sparkle"  to cookies, baked goods and candies.  The sparkling affect is achieved because the sugar crystal grains are large and reflect light.

Featured Recipe

Our featured recipe is for Lemon Shortbread Cookies from Christmas Gifts From the Kitchen.   These cookies are so cute, they use the sanding sugar to create the affect of a lemon rind.  Using the sugar only on the edges is a simple technique that works well many types of cookies.  I'm not a highly-skilled "decorator" so these little tricks work great for me.

Lemon Shortbread Slices

Adorable cookies look like real lemon wedges.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 ml) butter, softened 
• 3/4 cup  (175ml)  granulated sugar  
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) grated lemon zest  
• 2 1/4 cups (550 ml) all-purpose flour 
• 1 egg white (large) lightly beaten 
• 1/3 cup (75 ml) yellow sanding (decorating) sugar

Instructions

1. Cream butter and granulated sugar in large bowl. Add lemon zest. Beat well. 
2. Add flour in 2 additions, mixing well after each addition until no dry flour remains. Roll dough into 3 inch (7.5 cm) diameter log.
3. Brush log evenly with egg white. Sprinkle sanding sugar evenly on sheet of waxed paper slightly longer than log. Roll log in sanding sugar until coated. Wrap with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 6 hours or overnight. 
4. Discard plastic wrap. Cut log into 1/4 inch (6 mm) slices. Cut each slice in half. Arrange halves about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on ungreased cookie sheets. 
5. Score each half with knife to make 4 wedges.
6. Bake in 325ºF (160ºC) oven for 8 to 10 minutes until golden. Let stand on cookie sheets for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool. Makes 6 1/2 dozen (78) cookies. 

Nutrition Information

1 cookie: 47 Calories; 2.5 g Total Fat (1.6 g Mono, 0.3 g Poly, 0.5 g Sat); 0 mg Cholesterol; 6 g Carbohydrate; trace Fibre; 0 g Protein; 30 mg Sodium