A process for the preparation of an alkoxylated sucrose ester including the steps of: forming an initial reaction mixture of a sucrose ester and from about 0.01% to about 5% of a catalyst; and forming an initial reaction product by reacting the initial reaction mixture with an epoxide for a period of time in the range of from about 30 minutes to about 6 hours and at a temperature in the range of from about 80.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C.; wherein the epoxide and the sucrose ester are selected such that a mole ratio of epoxide groups to sucrose hydroxyls is from about 1 to about 100. Useful catalysts include sodium metals, potassium metals, sodium/potassium alloys, and mixtures thereof