In a nutshell, powdered sugar is just sugar that's been ground into a fine powder, making it super easy to dissolve and incorporate into recipes. However, this process also removes some of the sugar's natural moisture, which can affect the final texture and consistency of your baked goods. So, can you just use granulated sugar instead - the answer is, it's complicated!
Using granulated sugar in place of powdered sugar can lead to some pretty funny results, like a cake that's more like a sugar bomb than a tender treat. This is because granulated sugar doesn't dissolve as easily, which can leave you with a crunchy, sweet mess. On the other hand, some recipes can actually benefit from the coarser texture of granulated sugar, like a crunchy cookie or a sweet, sticky sauce.
