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Sugar pearls Calories
Hard decorative sugar sprinkles used for cakes and cookies
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 tablespoon (medium) of Sugar pearls (12 g) has 48 calories. That works out to 400 calories per 100 g. It contains 11.9 g of carbs, 0 g of protein, 0 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 100 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.
Sugar pearls Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 12 g
48
KCAL / 12G
Carbs
11.9g
· 4% DV
Protein
0g
· 0% DV
Fat
0g
· 0% DV
Fiber
0g
· 0% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 100% · Protein 0% · Fat 0%
Sugar pearls nutrition facts table · 1 tablespoon (medium) (12 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 48 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 0.6 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 11.9 g | 4% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Protein | 0 g | 0% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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How Many Calories in 1 Tablespoon of Sugar pearls?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (medium) | 12 g | 48 kcal |
| 1 piece (mini) | 1 g | 4 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (small) | 4 g | 16 kcal |
| 10 piece (small) | 10 g | 40 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (double) | 24 g | 96 kcal |
| 25 piece (medium) | 25 g | 100 kcal |
| 0.25 cup (quarter) | 40 g | 160 kcal |
| ½ cup (half) | 80 g | 320 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 400 kcal |
Calculated from 400 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sugar pearls
What are sugar pearls?
Sugar pearls are small, hard decorative pieces made mainly from sugar, used to finish cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. They are sold in different sizes, colors, and finishes, including shiny and metallic-looking varieties.
Are sugar pearls edible?
Yes, sugar pearls labeled for food use are edible. Some craft or cake decorations only look like sugar pearls but have non-edible coatings, so confirm that the specific product is intended to be eaten before adding it to food.
How do you use sugar pearls on a cake?
Press sugar pearls gently into soft frosting, buttercream, or fondant so they stay in place. If the icing has already set, attach them with a small dab of icing or edible glue rather than scattering them onto a dry surface.
Can you bake sugar pearls into cookies?
Yes, you can press sugar pearls onto cookie dough before baking, but heat may dull their shine, soften them, or affect their color. For a crisp, glossy decoration, add them to cooled cookies with icing instead.
Do sugar pearls melt in the oven?
Sugar pearls may soften, crack, or lose their coating in the oven rather than staying perfectly round and glossy. Their behavior varies by product, so use them after baking when appearance matters, or test a few before decorating a full batch.
What is the difference between sugar pearls and nonpareils?
Sugar pearls are usually larger, round beads, while nonpareils are tiny round sprinkles. Both can decorate baked goods, but sugar pearls give a more pronounced, crunchy finish and nonpareils create a finer, more evenly scattered look.
Can you make sugar pearls at home?
Yes, you can roll tiny balls from fondant or a sugar-based dough and let them dry. Homemade pearls can decorate desserts, though matching the hard texture and glossy finish of commercially coated sugar pearls can be difficult.
How should you store sugar pearls?
Keep sugar pearls in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry cupboard. Moisture can make them sticky or damage their coating, so avoid storing them in the refrigerator, where condensation may form.
Why do sugar pearls lose their color on frosting?
Sugar pearls can lose or transfer color when their coating meets wet frosting, especially if the pearls are exposed to moisture for a long time. Add them shortly before serving and choose decorations labeled as suitable for moist icing.
What can you use instead of sugar pearls for cake decorating?
Use small candy pieces, chocolate decorations, or other edible sprinkles instead of sugar pearls. For a softer finish, try piped frosting dots; for a similar bead-like look, choose another edible sprinkle sized for the dessert.
Sugar pearls Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
Vitamin A
0µg · 0% DV
B1
0mg · 0% DV
B2
0mg · 0% DV
B3
0mg · 0% DV
Minerals
Copper
0mg · 0% DV
Iron
0.01mg · 0% DV
Sodium
0.6mg · 0% DV
Calcium
0.12mg · 0% DV
Potassium ⭐
0.24mg · 0% DV
Sugar pearls Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Sugar pearls
To burn the 48 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (12 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Sugar pearls?
Sugar pearls are small, hard pieces of decorative sugar used to finish cakes, cookies and other baked treats. Their glossy appearance adds colour and a crisp accent, so they are usually sprinkled over icing or glaze rather than mixed into a batter.
They taste plainly sweet and have a firm crunch. In home baking and bakery-style decorating, they work well on frosted cupcakes, celebration cakes and iced biscuits; add them once there is a tacky surface for them to cling to. Nutritionally, they are almost entirely carbohydrate, with no protein, fat or fibre. Use a light sprinkle when you want decoration without making the topping overwhelmingly sweet.
How Nutritious Is Sugar pearls?
Nutrient density
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Low
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Sugar pearls Processed?
NOVA 4
Ultra-Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Sugar pearls Contain Allergens?
No known major allergens
Which Diets Is Sugar pearls Good For?
Vegan
✓ Suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Sugar pearls Fat Profile
SATURATED
0g
MONOUNSATURATED
0g
POLYUNSATURATED
0g
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.