dust with sugar

Meaning

This phrase means to sprinkle a very fine, light layer of powdered (confectioners') sugar over a baked dessert, usually through a fine-mesh sieve. It is done right before serving to add a touch of sweetness and a decorative, snowy appearance.

Examples

• Let the lemon bars cool completely, then dust with sugar before slicing.

  Let the lemon bars cool completely, then dust with sugar before slicing.

• I like to dust with sugar right before serving to make the cake look professional.

  I like to dust with sugar right before serving to make the cake look professional.

• Instead of frosting, she decided to simply dust the waffles with sugar and serve them with berries.

  Instead of frosting, she decided to simply dust the waffles with sugar and serve them with berries.

• Use a small sieve to dust with sugar so that it distributes evenly.

  Use a small sieve to dust with sugar so that it distributes evenly.

• The recipe suggests you dust with sugar, but cocoa powder also works beautifully.

  The recipe suggests you dust with sugar, but cocoa powder also works beautifully.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Throw some sugar on the cake for decoration.

  ✓ Dust the cake with sugar for decoration.

  'Throw' implies a messy, forceful action. 'Dust' describes a gentle, light, and controlled sprinkling action that creates an even coating.

• ✗ Dust with sweet sugar after it comes out of the oven.

  ✓ Dust with powdered sugar after it cools down.

  'Sweet sugar' is redundant. In baking, 'powdered sugar' or 'confectioners' sugar' is specifically used for dusting because granulated sugar is too heavy and won't create the 'dust' effect.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Once the tarts have cooled down, we can ________ for a beautiful finish.

  💡 Lightly sprinkle powdered sugar over the top.

  Show answer

  dust with sugar

• Use a fine strainer to ________ just before the guests arrive.

  💡 Apply a snow-like layer of sweet powder.

  Show answer

  dust with sugar