This invention relates to a method for preparing a sucrose-6-ester. The method includes (i) reacting sucrose with a N,N-dimethylcarboxamide dimethyl acetal in an inert aprotic solvent to form a cyclic acetal of formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein R is C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.3-C.sub.20 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; and (ii) subjecting the cyclic acetal to a mild acidic or neutral hydrolysis to provide a sucrose-6-ester of formula (II): ##STR00002##