It’s often found in recipes for delicate baked foods such as souffles, sponge cakes and meringues. Because it dissolves quickly, it’s often used in drink recipes too.

What is the best substitute for caster sugar?

The best substitute for caster sugar is white sugar. If substituting caster sugar for white sugar when making a cake or biscuits, just beat the butter and sugar a little longer than the recipe calls for. When making meringue with white sugar, add the sugar slowly as it will take longer to melt into the egg white than caster sugar.

How to make your own caster sugar

Alternatively, make your own caster sugar at home. It’s easy: just pour white sugar into a food processor and pulse, stirring and wiping down the sides of the processor occasionally with a spatula, until finely processed.