Powdered Sugar

Powdered sugar is often called confectioners’ sugar in the United States and icing sugar in Canada. It consists of sucrose crystals finely pulverized into powder, and is available in various degrees of fineness. The fineness of grind is sometimes indicated by a number before an X; the higher the number, the greater the fineness. Two common powdered sugars are 6X and 10X. Of the two, 10X is best for the smoothest uncooked icings and confections, where anything coarser would be too gritty. For decorative dustings on desserts, 6X powdered sugar is the better choice, since its coarser grind means it is less likely to cake or liquefy.