Ok. This is probably the dumbest question ever asked on this forum and I am even embarassed to ask but... 
What is the best/fastest way to sift powdered sugar that isn't messy? I have found out the hard way that this step shouldn't be skipped. Any suggestions?
Thank you very much
aliekitn99
that isn't mess? don't have a good answer for that one. however, i don't ever sift my powdered sugar unless for somereason i feel it looks a little lumpy.
Do you have a sifter? I usually take a large piece of parchment paper and make a crease in the middle of it. Then, set my sifter on top of the paper and fill it up. Next, I sift my sugar right onto the paper and then you can use the parchment to funnel into a measuring cup, ect. The fold in the paper helps to guide the sugar where you want it. If you don't have a sifter, you can use a large sieve, or put your sugar in a large bowl and use a whisk to break up the lumps. I think it's probably best to get a cheap sifter, though.
HTH
Diana
Thanks for the ideas. I have a Good Grips sifter and it has the handle where you squeeze and release...makes your have VERY tired just to do 1 cup much less than 1 pound. Maybe I should get the crank kind for now...just thought there was a faster way that was a secret...LOL
Again, Thanks!
aliekitn99
I put my wisk attachment on my kitchen aid and wisk away for about 2 minutes. I really wanted to get the sifter that Tupperware had because I too have a metal hand sifter.....ugh it kills my hand every time and I usually have to recruit my DH to help me. Anyway, those things sell like hot cakes when you can find them on ebay! Sorry so long, hope this helps 
~Aimee
I had the squeeze and release handle type also. I replaced it with the crank sifter. I like it much better.
I use a mesh kitchen strainer, I picked it up for about $4 or so.
It has a handle, and two little hooks to sit on top of a bowl or container (it fits my kitchenaid mixer bowl perfectly!)
I put about a pound of powdered sugar in it and stir/push it through the mesh with a large spoon. It's much easier to do than using a "regular" sifter, IMO.
hth!
Laura.
The mesh strainer works better if you get a big one.. mine is sort of small and more unsifted sugar falls over the side then what gets sifted....
I was cursing out load at the stuped thing one day and then glanced up.... sure enough, sitting on top of the shelf with all my vintage kitchen collectibles was an old Foley crank sifter - works great... if you go too fast, that can kick up some powder but it is still way better then the mesh thing...
I use a mesh kitchen strainer & the strainer. I get tired w/the strainer, the mesh my son helps me with - he discovered the spoon trick in my home. I would have just kept bagging it against my wrist. But it's still takes a while. I would also love something else to do it faster.
Depending on how much I need to sift, I use my crank sifter or a mesh strainer. I had originally bought one of those hand sifters, and like everyone else, it killed me. I then found a 4 or 6 (don't remember which) cup size crank sifter and it works like a charm. I use a lid from a butter tub on top of the sifter to keep the sugar, flour or whatever I'm sifting from flying out all over the place. This way, you can go as fast as you want with not a lot of mess!
Thank you all so very much for the wonderful tips. You can be sure that I will be trying them out to see which one works best for me. 
aliekitn99
If you are using the powdered sugar to make royal icing for piping fine work, you want to sift it through a new, clean knee-high stocking, or purchase a powdered sugar sifter.
Theresa
Ohhhhh thank you! I know in my next Wilton class that starts Tuesday, the instuctor is going to show us how to make Royal icing. That is VERY good information to have.
aliekitn99
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