Powdered Sugar Preferences and Experience

IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF 9/15/2016: There WAS an odd one-time issue with how the survey system was capturing and reporting "other" responses, but we fixed it. Unfortunately, we lost all of your write-in "other" responses in the process, so I zeroed out the survey and am starting it over from scratch. If you took the survey before, PLEASE TAKE IT AGAIN so we can re-build the database that we started. So sorry for any inconvenience that this may create, but please know that I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT! Thank you! ~JMU

In anticipation of Liesbet Schietecatte's next Toolbox Talk, which is all about powdered sugar (aka confectioner's sugar), I'd like to ask you about the brands you've used and your experiences with them. So here goes! This is a short survey (only 12 multiple choice questions), so it should go fast!

IMPORTANT:
(1) If you select any "Other" options in any of the questions, please also specify what that "Other" is in the box that appears underneath. Responses are limited to 255 characters. PLEASE NOTE: THIS MEANS SPECIFYING THE BRAND YOU USE IN "OTHER" IF YOU DO NOT SEE IT ALREADY LISTED IN Q3!

(2) If a question does not apply to you, DO NOT skip it; instead, select the "N/A (not applicable)" option.

Q1: What is powdered sugar (i.e., the sugar used in decorative icing) called in your country? (Check all that most commonly apply.)

Powdered sugar

Icing sugar

Confectioner's sugar

Other

Q2: Do you use powdered sugar in the icing you make for decorated cookies?

Yes, I make my icing from scratch using powdered sugar

No, I use a readymade royal icing mix where I only have to add water

No, I use an icing on cookies that does not contain powdered sugar (i.e., such as some types of buttercream)

Other

Q3: What brand of powdered sugar do you most often use when making royal icing for decorated cookies? (Please select "Other" and list your brand if you do not see yours already listed!)

C&H

Domino

Hain Pure Foods

Imperial

N/A - I don't use powdered sugar to make my cookie icing

Other

Q4: What grade of powdered sugar (i.e., 4X, 6X, 10X) do you use for your icing for decorated cookies?

10X

I don't know

N/A - I don't use powdered sugar to make my cookie icing

Other

Q5: On a scale of 1 to 5, where 5=extremely satisfied, how satisfied are you with your primary brand of powdered sugar (mentioned in Q3) for cookie decorating?

1 - Extremely dissatisfied

2 - Somewhat dissatisfied

3 - Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

4 - Reasonably satisfied

5 - Extremely satisfied

N/A - I don't use powdered sugar to make my cookie icing

Q6: [If you answered 3 or less to Q5] What, if anything, could be changed about your primary brand of powdered sugar to make you more satisfied with it for cookie decorating? (Select all that apply.)

Less lumpy, so I don't have to sift it before use

Less gritty, so it doesn't clog fine pastry tips

Whiter in color

Cheaper

Easier to find in my local supermarkets

N/A - I am quite satisfied with my primary brand of powdered sugar

Other

Q7: Have you ever used any other brands of powdered sugar for making icing for cookie decorating?

Yes

N/A - I have never used powdered sugar to make my cookie icing

Q8: [If you answered "Yes" to Q7] What was the name of this brand (or brands)? (Select as many as apply.)

C&H

Domino

Hain Pure Foods

Imperial

N/A - I have never used powdered sugar to make my cookie icing, OR I answered "No" to Q7

Other

Q9: [If you answered "Yes" to Q7] Why is (are) the brand(s) you mentioned in Q7 no longer your primary brand for icing for cookie decorating? (Select as many as apply.)

Too lumpy, so I had to sift it

Too gritty, causing plugging of fine tips

Color was not sharp white

Too expensive

Not easy to find in my local supermarkets

N/A - I answered "No" to Q7

Other

Q11: Are you a hobbyist or a professional cookie decorator? (By professional, I mean someone who sells decorated cookies or other related items, such as cookie decorating products or classes.)

Professional

Hobbyist

Neither; I don't decorate cookies or sell any cookie-related items

Q12: How long have you been decorating cookies?

Less than 1 year

1 to 3 years

4 to 7 years

8 to 10 years

More than 10 years

Posted by Julia M. Usher · 9/5/1611:40 PM