Measuring accurately is probably the most important cooking skill in the
kitchen. Home Economists in test kitchens spend many hours testing
recipes with varying measurements in a process called 'tolerance
testing'. A recipe must perform well even though the ingredient amounts
are changed; if the recipe fails tolerance testing, it is not published.
Even though the recipes in cookbooks are quite 'tolerant', the cook
still has to follow basic rules of measuring.
To begin, make sure that you have actual commercial measuring utensils. Nested (graduated) measuring cups are used for dry ingredients. Measuring spoons
are needed - your stainless coffee spoon just isn't the correct tool!
For liquid ingredients, you need a clear glass or plastic cup with a
pouring spout.
Graduated measuring cups are made in 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 1
cup, and 2 cup sizes. Liquid measuring cups are usually either 2 cup or
4 cup. Measuring spoons usually range from 1/8 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon,
1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon. It's possible to find other
more esoteric utensils including 1/8 cup, 2/3 cup, and very small
spoons. I have a set that measures "a pinch", "a smidgen", and "a dash"
that were a gift from my sister.
Here's a basic guide to measuring common ingredients.
When you bake cookies, cakes, breads, pie crusts, and candies,
measuring accurately is really critical to the success of the recipe.
When you are cooking casseroles, soups, stir fries, and meats, you can
vary amounts more and the end result will still be good.
I remember liquid measurements this way: 2 cups in a pint, 2 pints in a quart, 4 quarts in a gallon. Memorize that!
Using these rules and tips, you can be confident that any recipe you tackle will be a success.
kitchen. Home Economists in test kitchens spend many hours testing
recipes with varying measurements in a process called 'tolerance
testing'. A recipe must perform well even though the ingredient amounts
are changed; if the recipe fails tolerance testing, it is not published.
Even though the recipes in cookbooks are quite 'tolerant', the cook
still has to follow basic rules of measuring.
To begin, make sure that you have actual commercial measuring utensils. Nested (graduated) measuring cups are used for dry ingredients. Measuring spoons
are needed - your stainless coffee spoon just isn't the correct tool!
For liquid ingredients, you need a clear glass or plastic cup with a
pouring spout.
Graduated measuring cups are made in 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 1
cup, and 2 cup sizes. Liquid measuring cups are usually either 2 cup or
4 cup. Measuring spoons usually range from 1/8 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon,
1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon. It's possible to find other
more esoteric utensils including 1/8 cup, 2/3 cup, and very small
spoons. I have a set that measures "a pinch", "a smidgen", and "a dash"
that were a gift from my sister.
Here's a basic guide to measuring common ingredients.
- Flour
Stir flour in the storage container or bag. Using a
large spoon, lightly spoon flour from the container into the measuring
cup. Do not shake the cup and do not pack the flour. Using the back of a
knife or flat blade spatula, level off the flour even with the top edge
of the measuring cup. Don't use the measuring cup to scoop the flour
out of the container. You can end up with 150% of the correct
measurement if you do this! One properly measured cup of flour should weigh about 112 grams. - Baking powder and Baking Soda
Stir in the container.
Using the measuring spoon, lightly scoop out of the container. Use that
knife to level off even with the top edge of the measuring spoon. - Sugar
Sugar is measured by scooping the cup or
measuring spoon into the container or bag until it is overflowing, then
leveling off with the back of a knife. - Brown Sugar
This needs to be packed into the
measuring cup. The sugar should retain the shape of the cup when it is
dropped into the other ingredients. - Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar usually needs to be
sifted to remove small lumps. It is measured by spooning the sugar into
the measuring cup from the container, then leveling off with the back
of a knife. - Liquid Ingredients
Liquids need to be measured at eye level. Using the liquid measuring cup,
pour the liquid into the cup. Then bend over so you are on the same
level with the measuring marks. The liquid should be right at the mark,
not above or below. - Semi-Liquid Ingredients
Ingredients like sour cream,
peanut butter, and yogurt are measured using dry measuring cups because
they are too thick to be accurately measured in the liquid cups. Level
off sour cream and peanut butter with the back of a knife. - Shortening and Solid Fats
Butter and margarine have
measuring amounts marked on the sides of the paper wrapping. One quarter
pound stick of butter or margarine equals 1/2 cup. Solid shortening is
measured by packing it into a cup so there are no air spaces, then
leveling off with the knife. To easily remove fats from baking cups,
spray them with a nonstick cooking spray before measuring. You can also
use the liquid displacement method for measuring solid fats. For
instance, if you want 1/2 cup of shortening, fill a liquid measuring cup
with 1/2 cup of cold water. Then add shortening until the water level
reaches 1 cup when you look at it at eye level. Pour out the water and
use the shortening. Oil is measured as a liquid. - Liquid Ingredients in Spoons
Make sure that you don't
measure small amounts of liquid ingredients over the mixing bowl. It's
just too easy to spill, and you don't want 2 teaspoons of almond extract
when the recipe only calls for 1 teaspoon! - Dry Ingredients in Spoons
Ingredients measured in
these small amounts still have to be measured carefully. Overfill the
measuring spoons and level off using the back of a knife for the most
accurate amounts. Accurate amounts of ingredients like baking soda and
powder are critical to the success of any baked product. - Chopped Ingredients
Pay close attention to whether or
not an ingredient is to be chopped, diced or minced, and whether they
are measured before chopping or after. Then the foods are placed in the
measuring cup so the top is level with the surface.
When you bake cookies, cakes, breads, pie crusts, and candies,
measuring accurately is really critical to the success of the recipe.
When you are cooking casseroles, soups, stir fries, and meats, you can
vary amounts more and the end result will still be good.
I remember liquid measurements this way: 2 cups in a pint, 2 pints in a quart, 4 quarts in a gallon. Memorize that!
Using these rules and tips, you can be confident that any recipe you tackle will be a success.
Dry Ingredient Equivalents | ||
1 tablespoon | 3 teaspoons | 15 ml |
1/8 cup | 2 tablespoons | 30 ml |
1/4 cup | 4 tablespoons | 50 ml |
1/3 cup | 5-1/3 tablespoons | 75 ml |
1/2 cup | 8 tablespoons | 125 ml |
2/3 cup | 10-2/3 tablespoons | 150 ml |
3/4 cup | 12 tablespoons | 175 ml |
1 cup | 16 tablespoons | 250 ml |
Wet Ingredient Equivalents | ||
1 cup | 8 fluid ounces | 1/2 pint |
2 cups | 16 fluid ounces | 1 pint |
4 cups | 32 fluid ounces | 2 pints |
8 cups | 64 fluid ounces | 4 pints |