Powdered sugar stencil

Powdered sugar can decorate a dessert without any piping or icing. Southern Illinois University advice for holiday desserts says to dust powdered sugar freehand or through a doily or some other template, and lists powdered sugar among the toppers that can finish a plate. A template with cut-out shapes works as a stencil: sugar falls through the openings, and when the template is lifted off, a sharp sugar pattern remains on the surface.

The idea of a stencil is familiar in cake decorating. A University of Wyoming manual suggests making one from lightweight cardboard by drawing or tracing a simple pattern on a box and cutting it out, or using stencils bought at craft stores, though in that manual the stencil guides icing rather than sugar.

Powdered sugar shows best on a dark surface such as chocolate cake, and it is added just before serving.