topic Re: Do you sift flour? in Recipes

Do you sift flour?

mormel20 — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:55:46 GMT

When baking cakes I do not sift my flour. For those of you that do sift, do you think it actually makes a different in the finished product? If you think it really does matter I might try it next time.

Re: Do you sift flour?

Winkk — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:05:14 GMT

I don't sift, but I do fluff it up a bit with a spoon. I can't tell a difference between now and when I did sift.

Re: Do you sift flour?

RespectLife — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:08:13 GMT

@mormel20

Always and for everything.

The reason being, if I don't, there might be teeny 'lumps' of flour.

Itsy little flour balls are often left in my sieve/sifter which I dump.

Re: Do you sift flour?

amyb — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:08:47 GMT

Sure...if the recipe says to.

Or if I want something to come light and fluffy.

I'm no expert baker, and I'd love to hear from the ones who are more experienced...but yes, I do find it makes a difference.

I believe these things were done for a reason, and baking is such a science that it makes sense if they say to do it, there's a reason, and a result!

Other things where I might think it doesn't matter if it's denser, I don't bother. Like I made scones last week and didn't sift.

Instructions didn't say to, either.

I wish I had one of those old timey metal sifters...like an anitque one. But I have a small kitchen and don't need to collect more gadgets! So I just use my metal handheld strainer.

Re: Do you sift flour?

Luvitorleaveit1 — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:13:20 GMT

I remember my mother always did when I was growing up. She even had that metal gadget that shifted the flour. For me I never did.

Re: Do you sift flour?

ahoymate — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:17:24 GMT

Of course I "sift" flour. Use a wisp.

FYI..............Baking is an exact science.

Re: Do you sift flour?

RespectLife — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:21:47 GMT

@Luvitorleaveit1

Like this? They still sell them and I use it when I have large amounts....otherwise I use a sieve. $5 at Wally, WAY cheaper than Amz

Re: Do you sift flour?

Luvitorleaveit1 — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:23:24 GMT

@RespectLife - yep that's it. Thanks for the memories.

Re: Do you sift flour?

RedTop — Thu, 02 May 2024 02:14:45 GMT

No, but I don't make things that call for sifting flour.

**Sifting flour was essential many years ago before the refining process emerged to what it is today. Our mothers and grandmothers were sifting to not only get a finer product for their cooking/baking, but also to remove bugs and other impurities that were in the flour sacks.

Re: Do you sift flour?

wilma — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:35:03 GMT

Yes, I still sift my flour. I remember my mom and grandma using the metal sifter. I have a plastic one. The flour looks finer and fluffier to me after sifting. Not sure if it really makes a difference, but I continue to do it out of habit.

Re: Do you sift flour?

snipsnapsnur — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:41:49 GMT

Why would a recipe call for sifted flour if it didn't make a difference? The measurement is different between sifted and unsifted.

Re: Do you sift flour?

mildoo — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:49:10 GMT

I saw once on some cooking show that you don't really have to sift anymore since flour is so finely milled these days. But, if I come across a recipe that is from a recent publication and not an old recipe I still sift. I use a fine strainer.

My mother was a wonderful baker and she never sifted and by the way she never used as much sugar as a recipe called for. She always told me to hold back a little.

Re: Do you sift flour?

SloopJohnB — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:54:38 GMT

@mormel20 wrote:
When baking cakes I do not sift my flour. For those of you that do sift, do you think it actually makes a different in the finished product? If you think it really does matter I might try it next time.

@mormel20 I am a sifter. I always have been so really I couldn't say if it makes a difference since I always have done it. But I presume it does make a difference for the recipes to call for it.

Re: Do you sift flour?

Franklinbell — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:05:49 GMT

Yes I do.

Re: Do you sift flour?

Sooner — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:09:52 GMT

Nope. Never sift. I scoop with a spoon and pour gently back in the container. Scoop gently (don't swipe and pack the flour in the cup) level off and use.

I have weighed it many times and that method (recommended by Zojirushi) gives you a very accurate measurement. And modern milled flour down't need to be sifted.

Re: Do you sift flour?

ahoymate — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:13:50 GMT

@mormel20 wrote:
When baking cakes I do not sift my flour. For those of you that do sift, do you think it actually makes a different in the finished product? If you think it really does matter I might try it next time.

Contact: Kingarthurbaking.com. These bakers know their stuff.

Re: Do you sift flour?

Kachina624 — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:18:51 GMT

I would sift the flour for a cake because an accurate measurement is important and you want a fine texture. I don't bother with cookies or other things.

Re: Do you sift flour?

Alsace Gal — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:32:01 GMT

@mormel20

I sift if the recipe calls for it. Also when I add salt, b.powder, salt and b.soda. I like it to be all mixed in. After I sift I let it set on the counter.

Re: Do you sift flour?

ECBG — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:33:39 GMT

@mormel20 wrote:
When baking cakes I do not sift my flour. For those of you that do sift, do you think it actually makes a different in the finished product? If you think it really does matter I might try it next time.

@mormel20

In most recipes the amount of all purpose and self rising flour has been sifted. If you don't sift, your item will be dryer as not sifting adds almost 1/4-1/ C more flour.

Or buy cake flour in the box. It doesn't have to be sifted.

Re: Do you sift flour?

Carmie — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:36:33 GMT

If the recipe calls for sifted flour, I will sift it.

I always weigh my ingredients when baking. Depending on how the measuring cup is packed, you could be over or under the amount needed for baking.

Sifting helps keeps the flour light and not packed down so much in a measuring cup and this helps get the correct measurement.

Baking is a science. If you don't measure the ingredients correctly, your baked goods will fail.

Weighing on a scale is more precise than scooping into a measuring cup.

You should always airiate the flour, sugar and cocoa, baking power and baking soda before you add the wet ingredients.