How to dust


How to dust
"Dusting" in cooking is sprinkling a very fine layer of something in powder form. Icing sugar or cocoa powder on cakes for example. As this is not very easy to do evenly, here is a way to do it.
149 K 3.8/5 (25 reviews)
Grade this recipe:
duree2 min. difficultéEasy
Keywords:
Last modified on: October 13th 2010
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 2 min.

Step by step recipe


Stage 1
How to dust
The first instinct is to use your hand.

But if you do, you're going to produce an uneven layer, plus if there are any lumps in your powder (icing sugar or whatever) they will fall, break up, and it will spoil the appearence...

Stage 2
How to dust
...as in this photo where I'm trying to sprinkle some ice sugar onto a (black) pastry sheet.

Stage 3 - 2 min.
How to dust
The best solution is to use a fine sieve or strainer (small or large, it does not matter), fill it with your powder, and to shake it all over.

Like this you will produce a fine and even layer, where even the small lumps will be broken into powder.

You can also use a special utensil: a shaker.

Stage 4
How to dust
With this method you can produce artistic patterns made using a sheet paper cut out in designs of your choice.

Stage 5
How to dust
By carefully removing the paper, you will get pretty effects.

It is a good way of "writing" on a birthday cake for example.

Stage 6
You can also watch this short video which recaps on the basics.
Remarks
The golden rule when dusting is to use a really dry powder, because if it's damp, it will form lumps or balls which are diffcult to use. If your powder is not dry enough, you can put it in a cool oven for about 30 minutes to dry it, and then pass it through a sieve before use.
Source: Home made.
Other recipes you may also like
Nanou's chocolate cake
Nanou's chocolate cake
A moist melting cake, very very chocolaty...
June 22th 2013279 K4.6 1 hour 45 min.
Gingerbread
Gingerbread
Maybe this recipe will bring back memories.
February 21th 2011283 K4.2 1 hour 4 min.
How to glaze a tart
How to glaze a tart
Professional pastrycooks usually say that "a beautiful cake is already half sold", it is one of the reasons why they do not put a tart on sale without glazing it ("abricoter" in Fench), i.e. coating it with a thick apricot syrup. This glaze gives a glossy finish to the tart (see the photographs...
February 15th 2016447 K4.4 7 min.
How to butter a dish or a mould easily
How to butter a dish or a mould easily
Often when making gratins, crumbles or other oven-cooked dishes, you will need to butter the dish or mould. To butter (or grease) means to rub inside the mould with a knob of butter to prevent the mixture sticking too much. Instead of putting a knob of butter in the dish and wiping with paper, here...
February 21th 2011143 K4.1 1 min.
Stewed apple (compote)
Stewed apple (compote)
Here is a very basic but delicious recipe, and the pitfalls to avoid.
November 8th 20172.43 M 14.8 1 hour 15 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com

Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-02-09)

*Your e-mail Your first name or nickname
I am not a leaving thing
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Posted by:
I am not a leaving thing
Follow this recipe
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
I am not a leaving thing
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.

Back to top of page