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kjt
Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 15, 2005
Posts: 655
Location: North Georgia
Birthday: Feb 24
Gallery Supporter Member
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:33 pm |
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I use SS recipe AND I sift
I use a large strainer, a stiff spatula or restaurant size stirring spoon, a very big SS bowl, and sift 10# at a time-just get it done  . I think the sifters with the squeeze or turn handles are a waste of time, but you'll probably hear from somebody else who swears by them! |
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kansaslaura
Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 15, 2006
Posts: 541
Location: Kansas
Birthday: Jul 11
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 2:20 pm |
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| maryj wrote: | | vixterfsu wrote: | YES! Sift some p.sugar and see if you have any
hard particles. I always do even with the 10x.
I sift everything. |
so here's a stupid question kinda off topic...what is 10x sugar. I've read it a million times and have no idea what the difference is between powdered sugar and 10x. |
10X is the finest processed powdered sugar, it's all I use. |
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DiannaSue
Regular Member
Joined: Jul 28, 2007
Posts: 183
Location: Illinois
Birthday: Jul 02
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 2:34 pm |
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I always sift, yesterday I had to do a cake and as usual I sifted the cake mix and in the bottom of the sifter there was a small hard piece of plastic, I know it came straight from the boxed cake mix D.H. I wipe out the sifter every time before I use it, and I cut the bag then I placed the chocolate cake mix into the shifter and shifted the cake mix and found the small plastic if I had not shifted the mix I would have never known it was there and someone could have easily broke a tooth, so I will continue to sift EVERYTHING. |
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dandelion56602
Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 09, 2006
Posts: 1040
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 2:59 pm |
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I sift my mixes & usually my PS.
I do have a ? for everyone who does. I too would like to go ahead & sift everything. However, does this affect the measuring of it? E.g. Recipe calls for 1 c flour or PS, but I've already sifted prior to measuring---will it affect the recipe? I will go ahead & sift ahead of time (like when I buy my 7 lbs of ps b/c the recipe is in weight.) |
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alanahodgson
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jun 16, 2007
Posts: 1787
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:19 pm |
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| dandelion56602 wrote: | I sift my mixes & usually my PS.
I do have a ? for everyone who does. I too would like to go ahead & sift everything. However, does this affect the measuring of it? E.g. Recipe calls for 1 c flour or PS, but I've already sifted prior to measuring---will it affect the recipe? I will go ahead & sift ahead of time (like when I buy my 7 lbs of ps b/c the recipe is in weight.) |
Yes, sifting first will effect how much of that ingredient will make it into your recipe. Watch directions closely. If it says "1 cup sifted flour" then sift first. If it says "1 cup flour, sifted" then measure first, then sift. As a general rule you should scoop your flour into the measuring cup with a spoon so that it's not too compact.
As far as sifters go, I had TWO pretty shiny new sifters that have the squeeze handle and I HATED them. My hand hurt! I found my grandmother's old sifter with the crank handle in my dad's basement and that's what I always use now. So fast and easy! I think the do actually sell those new, but I've already got one and it works awesome! |
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indydebi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15099
Location: Indianapolis IN
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:46 pm |
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| smbegg wrote: | | I don't usually have the time to sift. |
I used to think that. When I read on here that folks sifted their cake mix, my thought was "omg, SOME people have too much time on their hands!"
But I tried it. And to be honest, I tried it so I could see what a big waste of time it really was.
Slap me silly and paint me blue, I will NEVER not sift ever again!! I also use Betty Crocker and what KansasLaura said is SO true ... the texture comes out SO much better .... more dense and "sturdy", fewer air holes. It's beautiful!!!
It was this tip that convinced me that if a CC'er suggests it, then it has merit ... and I will at least give it a shot to see how it works for me.
Please give it a try ... you will be AMAZED!!!
(And get a good sifter ... one with the handle that you turn round and round ... not one of those useless squeeze-handle things.) |
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Deana
Regular Member
Joined: Mar 25, 2005
Posts: 175
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:22 pm |
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I have found that the easiest and best sifter to use is a very fine sieve - I dump all dry ingrediants in it and then use a spatula to kind of stir it and push it through... saves quite a bit of wear and tear on the hands... and only takes a couple of seconds.
I have major guilt if I don't sift when I'm making something for the family... it's sort of like not wearing your seatbelt to drive around the block.. it just doesn't feel right. |
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CakeMakar
Frequent Member
Joined: May 24, 2008
Posts: 331
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:44 pm |
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I always sift - the cake mixes and powdered sugar lumps are a pain to try to break while stirring if not.
But the most important thing I've learned is to sift when making MMF!! I'll get hard lumps of powdered sugar in the finished fondant and never get it smoothed on the cake! I've had to dump entire batches of MMF - so heartbreaking when you've worked so hard to make it!! |
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4laynes
Junior Member
Joined: May 24, 2008
Posts: 73
Location: TN
Birthday: Dec 11
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:34 pm |
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dandelion56602
Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 09, 2006
Posts: 1040
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:41 pm |
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| alanahodgson wrote: | | dandelion56602 wrote: | I sift my mixes & usually my PS.
I do have a ? for everyone who does. I too would like to go ahead & sift everything. However, does this affect the measuring of it? E.g. Recipe calls for 1 c flour or PS, but I've already sifted prior to measuring---will it affect the recipe? I will go ahead & sift ahead of time (like when I buy my 7 lbs of ps b/c the recipe is in weight.) |
Yes, sifting first will effect how much of that ingredient will make it into your recipe. Watch directions closely. If it says "1 cup sifted flour" then sift first. If it says "1 cup flour, sifted" then measure first, then sift. As a general rule you should scoop your flour into the measuring cup with a spoon so that it's not too compact. |
I know this (not being a smarta$$), but what if the recipe doesn't specify? Should I just not sift until after I've measured for every recipe? So, is it ok to go ahead & presift my ps since my recipe calls for weight instead of cups? |
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PinkZiab
Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 14, 2007
Posts: 878
Location: North Jersey
Birthday: Oct 29
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:49 pm |
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If you do a lot of large batch baking, get a tamis sifter. It looks like a cake pan but the bottom is fine mesh. It makes short work of sifting POUNDS of ingerdients ina snap. I use a 14" at home. |
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Gefion
Frequent Member
Joined: Oct 13, 2006
Posts: 224
Location: Denmark
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:54 pm |
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Sifting the flour does actually make a difference - the cake will rise better. I am not sure why, but I read it in some book once. Something about more air. Unfortunately I am usually too lazy, but I really should start sifting. |
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cupcakeshoppe
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Feb 10, 2008
Posts: 1129
Location: Pinas!
Birthday: Oct 08
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:55 pm |
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as much as i hate sifting, i have to, just to be sure that my batter does not have any undesirables mixed in it. i sift box mixes too.  i learned that here. |
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cakequeen50
Forum Addict
Joined: May 01, 2006
Posts: 587
Location: georgia
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:57 pm |
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I really, really want to be a sifter, but I just can't bring myself to do it! I, too, have a case of the lazies. I try to be good and sift but the little devil on my shoulder keeps whispering in my ear, "Don't do it, don't do it... take the easy way, it doesn't matter"..... someday I will swat him off my shoulder and he will be the lump in the batter! |
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LindseyLoocy
Newbie
Joined: Dec 31, 2007
Posts: 17
Location: CA, but MS in my heart
Birthday: Jan 25
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:20 pm |
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Sifting is only unnecessary if it used in anything, but a cake. For example it's not necessary in muffin batters and cookie doughs. When something is labelled as "pre-sifted"... all that means is that the flour/sugar was sifted to ensure that unwanted items are not present such as stones or anything else you would not want to consume. I haven't found anything in my flour or sugar, but the day I do, I will be very thankful that I am a devout sifter:) |
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. The funny thing is that I don't sift because it seems messy to me - BUT I really mess up the kitchen baking! Go figure 
!
