Weighing Confectioner's Sugar

[Kim Shook]

If a recipe calls for "4 1/2 cups of confectioner's sugar, sieved", do I weigh it before or after sieving?  All recipes says that it weighs 3.6 oz. sifted and 4.4 oz. unsifted.  I am confused.  Thank you!!!

 

[cyalexa]

I would be confused too. Sifting should not change the weight. Is the recipe from a trustworthy source? 

[pastrygirl]

I would be confused too. Sifting should not change the weight. Is the recipe from a trustworthy source? 

 

Sifting will change the weight of a given volume because it adds air.

 

Kim, I don't know what to tell you.  Split the difference and use 4 oz per cup?  If it's for an icing, you can start at the low end and add more to your desired taste/texture, but not everything is so forgiving.

[Kim Shook]

Thank you for responding!!  The recipe is for meringue 'cupcakes'.  It is a recipe I've actually made before, but not for a long time.  Here's a link: http://www.recipecircus.com/recipes/Kimberlyn/GlutenFree/Pink_Meringue_Cupcakes.html  .  Maybe I should just measure and sift and not worry about weight this one time! 

[JoNorvelleWalker]

Measure and sift, then weigh it so next time you know.

[cyalexa]

Sifting will change the weight of a given volume because it adds air.

 

 

That is correct. My statement, which did not answered the OP very well, means that sifting does not change the weight of a product. It clearly does change the volume.

 

Measure and sift, then weigh it so next time you know.

 

This is the best answer given to the OP, although you can weigh before or after sifting because it won't change!

Edited October 20, 2014 by cyalexa (log)

[JoNorvelleWalker]

I'm now thinking that perhaps the phrasing in the recipe means to sift and then to measure, like some recipes do for flour.

[Anna N]

This is the way I have always understood it:

http://www.thekitchn.com/how-do-i-measure-sifted-flourrecipe-questions-168140

[JohnT]

This question shows the reason for recipes to always be given in weight, and not volume. As it was given by the OP, it means "measure 4 ½ cups of the sugar THEN sift it". Do what JNW says - weigh the sugar after measuring and change your volume in your recipe to reflect the weight for future use - you will then always be correct without any deliberation.

By the way Kim, your saved recipe you pointed to just says "sugar", not "confectioners sugar". Maybe you should correct that as well. Hope they turn out well and are appreciated by your guest.

[Kim Shook]

I'm an idiot.  I linked to the wrong recipe!  The actual recipe is this one: http://www.recipecircus.com/recipes/Kimberlyn/CAKESandPIES/Gingerbread_Cake_w_Cranberry_Filling.html .  I will do as suggested and weigh after measuring and add that to the recipe.  I HATE it when weight isn't given.  As much as I hate when a recipe calls for 'one medium onion'.  What the heck is that?

Thank you all for your help!