Pearl sugar is granulated white sugar that has been processed into small, round grains that have been polished to a pearl-like sheen. Typically, pearl sugar is used in Scandinavia (and elsewhere) to decorate cookies, cakes, cinnamon rolls and much more. (from cooking.com)
So, my Swedish friend has been strongly hinting lately that I try making chokladbollar (chocolate balls in English). They are essentially a chocolate oatmeal no-bake pastry/cookie and the finishing touch is pearl sugar. Boy, I had no idea it would be so difficult to get pearl sugar! There are two kinds, Belgium and Swedish. The Belgium is larger and is a key ingredient in truly delicious (and traditional) Belgium waffles. It creates crunchy pockets of sweetness in the waffles. Swedish pearl sugar is smaller and as mentioned above, is often used as a finishing touch to delicacies.
I tried several specialty markets in the Chicago area with no luck. The markets usually suggested that I go to the web and eventually I relented and ordered some off of Amazon. (I just like to be able to see ingredients before I buy them and am leery of purchasing any food-stuff on the internet.)
In the end I got Lars’ Imported Swedish Pearl Sugar
So, hopefully by next weekend I’ll have a chokladbollar post for you!
I just did a search for Pearl Sugar and found it for less at King-Arthur and Swedens Best web sites. There is also a forum that says Whole Foods carries it – but I’ve looked in two (the one by North Ave and the one on Peterson) so far an have found nothing. Thare’s also rumor that IKEA carries it – I’ll check the next time I go – which could be awhile!
oh, thanks for the info! yes, i checked two different whole foods as well and never found anything. I will say that the seller I ended up buying it from online was right here in Chicago – which made for a very quick delivery! (let me know about IKEA…i never seem to make it out that far, but would if I knew I could get the sugar!)
I was on a pearl sugar hunt in Chicago recently, and wanted to let you know that I found it at Fox and Obel downtown. They carry the Lars Own brand, and also have the larger Belgian pearl sugar as well. Closer than IKEA, anyway!
Thanks! The Swede (who I make all these swedish things for) just lives a few blocks from Fox & Obel. I completely forgot to check there….good to know for the future!