How to Make Your Own Copycat McCormick Finishing Sugars in 6 Delicious Flavors
If you’re a fan of McCormick Finishing Sugars, you know how fun it is to add that final touch of sweetness and flavor to your desserts or beverages.
But did you know you can easily make your own copycat versions at home? Whether you’re sprinkling them on cookies, cupcakes, or hot cocoa, these homemade finishing sugars are sure to elevate any treat!
In this blog post, I’ll show you how to make six irresistible flavors: Gingerbread Spice, Hot Cocoa, English Toffee, Salted Caramel, White Frosting, and Candy Cane.
These recipes are quick, simple, and perfect for holiday baking or everyday indulgence!
Gingerbread Spice Finishing Sugar
Bring the cozy warmth of gingerbread to your baked goods with this aromatic blend.
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Store in an airtight container. This sugar is perfect for sprinkling on cookies, muffins, or even lattes for that holiday flair!
Hot Cocoa Finishing Sugar
Who doesn’t love a cozy cup of hot chocolate? This finishing sugar takes it to the next level.
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp powdered milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla powder (or a few drops of vanilla extract)
Instructions: Mix the sugar, cocoa powder, powdered milk, and vanilla together until well combined. Store in a dry container. This is perfect to sprinkle on whipped cream-topped hot chocolate, brownies, or chocolate chip cookies!
English Toffee Finishing Sugar
Add a rich, buttery sweetness to your treats with this English Toffee-inspired sugar.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp toffee bits (finely ground in a food processor)
- 1/4 tsp butter extract
Instructions:
Stir the sugar and ground toffee bits together. Add butter extract and mix until evenly combined. Let it air dry for a couple of hours before storing.
This sugar is fantastic on cakes, caramel-flavored desserts, or even sprinkled over pancakes.
Salted Caramel Finishing Sugar
Sweet and salty, this finishing sugar is irresistible on almost anything!
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp caramel flavoring powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions: Combine the sugar, caramel powder, and sea salt. Mix well and store in an airtight container. Try this on chocolate brownies, ice cream, or your favorite coffee drink.
White Frosting Finishing Sugar
Capture the essence of rich vanilla frosting in sugar form!
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp butter extract
Instructions: Mix the powdered sugar with the vanilla and butter extracts. Let it air dry until it forms small clumps (similar to a frosting texture), then break it up into a fine sugar texture.This is perfect for dusting on sugar cookies, cupcakes, or even popcorn!
Candy Cane Finishing Sugar
Peppermint lovers, this one’s for you! Perfect for the holiday season or whenever you’re craving that cool, minty flavor.
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup crushed candy canes (or peppermint candies)
Instructions: Blend the sugar and crushed candy canes together. Store in a sealed container to keep it fresh and crunchy.This sugar works wonders on cupcakes, hot cocoa, and even on the rim of a holiday cocktail glass!
Finishing Sugar v.s Sanding Sugar, is there a difference?
The main difference between finishing sugar and sanding sugar lies in their texture, appearance, and purpose:
1. Finishing Sugar
- Texture & Size: Finishing sugar is typically finer and more powdery compared to sanding sugar. It is often mixed with flavorings like cinnamon, cocoa, or vanilla to enhance the taste of baked goods.
- Appearance: Finishing sugars are generally smooth and can have added flavors and colors that blend well into desserts.
- Purpose: It’s used as a final dusting on top of desserts, beverages, or baked goods to add both sweetness and flavor. Think of it as a flavorful enhancement to the finished product.
2. Sanding Sugar
- Texture & Size: Sanding sugar is coarser, with larger granules that don’t melt easily. The sugar crystals are typically more visible and have a sparkling effect.
- Appearance: It often comes in bright colors and maintains its texture after baking, giving a decorative and sparkly finish.
- Purpose: Primarily used for decoration, sanding sugar adds crunch and visual appeal to cookies, cupcakes, and other baked items. It’s popular during holidays for adding a colorful, glittery touch.
In short, finishing sugar enhances flavor and sweetness with a more delicate texture, while sanding sugar is mostly decorative, adding crunch and sparkle.
Final Thoughts
Making your own copycat McCormick Finishing Sugars is a fun, easy way to add an extra layer of flavor and texture to your favorite treats.
Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just want to make your everyday desserts a little more special, these finishing sugars will do the trick.
Plus, you can customize the flavors to your liking or even create new ones!
Try one (or all!) of these recipes, and let me know how you use them. I’d love to see your creations—tag me on social media and share your finishing sugar masterpieces!
Happy baking! 🎂🍪☕
