Sift Dry Ingredients with a Whisk Instead of a Sifter

The Problem

Your recipe says to sift dry ingredients. You don't own a sifter and don't want one more tool in your drawer.

The Hack

Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Whisk vigorously for 30 seconds using a balloon whisk.

Why It Works

Whisking incorporates air and breaks up clumps just like sifting does. The wire loops of a whisk act as tiny sifting screens with each revolution.

Pro Tips

• This is what most professional bakers actually do in a commercial kitchen
• For super-fine cakes, sift through a fine mesh strainer instead
• Whisking also evenly distributes leavening agents throughout the flour
• One less single-purpose tool in your already-crowded kitchen drawer