IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT GRAIN CONTAMINATION IN AMERICAN ICING SUGAR
In Australia, there are two kinds of Icing Sugar. Pure Icing Sugar which is 100% powdered sugar with no additives of any kind, and then Icing Mixture which is the one that contains the added starch, which is sometimes grain-free tapioca, sometimes it is grain based corn-starch.
Icing sugar is also called powdered or confectioners‘ sugar in USA – this is not the one I use – this is the equivalent to the Australian Icing Mixture. For some reason icing sugar in USA almost always contains this unnecessary additive. When making a recipe where I refer to icing sugar, I mean the PURE powdered icing sugar. Make sure you buy carefully and read the label before purchasing. Terms in Australia sometimes refer to a completely different thing in America or other countries due to differences in labeling laws and terminology.
If you live in a country where icing sugar is grain-contaminated, you have two options:
- Don’t eat icing. A cake is still going to taste great without it. Your body will thank you for the reduction in sugar and fat.
- If you really love your icing and can’t find pure icing sugar, make your own. Blast normal sugar in your food processor (I have a thermomix) or coffee grinder until it is powdered and use that.