6 Ways to Sift Powdered Sugar With or Without a Sifter

Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Ollie George Cigliano

Last Updated: July 5, 2024 Fact Checked

If you're about to use powdered sugar in a recipe or to top some desserts, how can you get rid of large clumps? After sitting in your pantry, powdered sugar (or confectioners sugar) can cake together, but there are so many ways you can make it light and airy again even without a sifter. Keep reading to find out what you can use in your kitchen to get rid of the lumps in your sugar so it's ready to use!

1

Fine-mesh sieve

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Set a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl. Scoop your powdered sugar into the sieve and gently tap the side. Keep tapping the sieve until all of the sugar dusts into the bowl and it’s completely sifted.^{[1]
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2

Whisk or fork

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Pour the amount of powdered sugar you need for a recipe into a bowl. Gently stir the sugar with a wire whisk or fork to remove the clumps. Stir gently so that the sugar stays in the bowl instead of wafting up into the air.^{[2]
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3

Blender

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Scoop out as much powdered sugar as you need and put it into your blender. Press the “Pulse” button on your blender a few times to break the clumps apart so your powdered sugar is light and fluffy. Wait for the sugar to settle to the bottom of the blender before taking off the lid.^{[3]
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4

Tea strainer

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Tea strainers work best for dusting powdered sugar on small baked goods. A tea strainer is a small mesh ball normally used for loose-leaf tea, but it works great for dusting powdered sugar without a sifter. Just load a spoonful of powdered sugar into the strainer and seal it shut. Hold the tea strainer over cookies or cake and lightly tap the side to sift the perfect amount of powdered sugar.

5

Sugar dusting wand

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A dusting wand gives you more control over where you’re sifting the sugar. A sugar dusting wand has a scoop with a mesh lid that lets you easily apply powdered sugar as a finishing touch on desserts. Scoop out some powdered sugar with the dusting wand and twist the handle to close the mesh lid. Flip the wand over and gently tap the side to apply a dusting of sugar onto your baked goods.^{[4]
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6

Flour sifter

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A flour sifter effectively breaks the clumps apart when you crank it. A flour sifter looks like a metal barrel with a fine mesh inside and a crank on the outside. Hold the sifter over a bowl and load your powdered sugar into the mesh. Turn the crank handle to break down the clumps and push the powdered sugar through the mesh.^{[5]
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- Some flour sifters have a lever you squeeze on the handle instead of a crank. That way, you can use it with one hand instead of having to use two hands.

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Question

Can you freeze a cake with a powdered sugar topping?

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Yes, but the sugar particles are really small, so they will not taste like anything after you take the cake out of the freezer.

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Can I sift icing sugar and leave it in an airtight container till I need it?

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Yes, but you may have to resift it if it sits for too long.

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Tips

Sift out powdered sugar before you measure it for your recipes.^{[6]
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You can make your own powdered sugar by putting 1 cup (200 g) of white granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon (2.5 g) of cornstarch into a blender for 1 minute.^{[7]
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