Confectioners' Sugar Shakers

Nothing finishes a dessert more quickly or elegantly than a dusting of powdered sugar. We usually turn to a fine-mesh strainer for this task, but sugar shakers promise convenience and portability. We tested five models. The top performers featured miniature fine-mesh strainers that dispersed a fine, consistent layer of powdered sugar. Less successful models had larger holes and left sugar in unattractive piles or messy scatterings. All were dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. We liked the models that could also store sugar so we didn’t have to clean them after each use. However, shakers rely on steadiness of hand to achieve an even appearance. For this reason we still prefer the effortless results of a fine-mesh strainer. But frequent bakers may find the recommended shakers handy, especially when taking a cake to a bake sale or party.