Baking Measurements: A Guide

Baking Measurements: A Guide

Baking seems to be a mix of magic, precision, and science, and once you get over the hurdle of making accurate baking measurements, it can give way to a lot of creativity and color in the kitchen, too. Many folks say that baking stresses them out. And we get that! Weve all been there before when that birthday cake refuses to rise, or those cookies come out of the oven as flat blobs. Well, ingredients that are measured correctly can literally make the difference between a perfect baked good and a disappointing mess! Luckily, weve compiled our favorite tips for stress-free measurements, as well as notes on proper baking measurement techniques for ingredients like flour and sugar. Whether youre concocting a big batch of holiday cookies or a dozen anniversary cupcakes for someone special, no need to fear! The Bobs Red Mill baking measurements guide is here.

Tips for Stress-Free Measurements

  • Get a good set of measuring cups and spoons. These are standard types of baking measurements, so having the necessary tools will help to ensure that youre getting the exact amount of an ingredient thats needed. In other words, though it can be convenient, youll want to steer clear of measuring a teaspoon with the kitchen spoon you use for your morning cereal.
  • Make sure to read the directions carefully. If, for example, a recipe calls for 1/2 cup chopped nuts versus 1/2 cup nuts, chopped, keep in mind that the first means that you chop the nuts before measuring, and the second means that you chop the nuts after measuring. These different methods will yield different amounts of nuts.
  • Scoop your flour into a measuring cup first and level it off, rather than simply using your cup to gather the flour from the canister. You want to make sure you have the precise amount that the recipe calls for.
  • If youre filling your measuring cups with something sticky like honey, make sure to spray them with nonstick cooking spray beforehand. This will help the ingredients slide out and will save you from a sticky mess.
  • When you measure your liquids, make sure to set your cup on a flat surface. This will help you to make sure you are reading the measurement correctly. And on that note, read your liquid measurements from the side rather than the top.
  • Keep in mind that ounces and fluid ounces are different things. Ounces are a weight measurement, and fluid ounces are a volume measurement. However, with liquids like water, these are equivalent.

Flour

Flour is known as a profoundly popular baking ingredient that is often measured incorrectly. Experienced bakers like to use whats called the spoon and level method. Like we mentioned above, this means that you avoid scooping the flour out of the container or the bag with the measuring cup. Instead, you use a spoon to scoop the flour into the measuring cup and use the back of a knife to level the top (without packing the flour down). It might seem like an extra step, but trust us when we say in the world of baking perfection, its necessary.

Oats

Oats, like old fashioned or quick cooking oats, are found in baking recipes like bars or granola. Though they might seem similar enough, its good to note that quick oats are finer in consistency than whole oats or old fashioned rolled oats, as quick oats are actually just rolled thinner than old fashioned rolled oats. Again, it might seem crazy at first, but in baking, consistency is key.

Baking Powder & Baking Soda

If youre using baking powder or baking soda, give it a good shake before opening the container. Use a measuring spoon and a knife to level off the measurement. Keep in mind that these two ingredients are different, and its important to pay attention to which one your recipe calls for.

Active Dry Yeast

Most yeast packets youll find in the store contain 1/4 ounce of yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons). Youll want to proof the yeast to make sure its active. To test this, sprinkle a tablespoon in a small bowl with warm water. Wait a few minutes for the mixture to begin foaming. If it does not foam, its not active.

Shortening and Solid Fats

Youll find that butter and margarine have tablespoons marked on the side of their paper wrapping. Many sticks of butter will be in packaged one-quarter pound per stick, which equals 1/2 cup. Youll measure solid shortening by packing it into a cup and making sure there are no air spaces. Then level it off with a knife. If youre using oil, measure it as a liquid.

White, Raw and Cane Sugar

Sugar is measured simply by scooping the measuring cup into the sugar bag and then leveling it off with a knife. Of course, it doesnt necessarily hurt to have more sugar in a recipe as it might with other ingredients. Sugar is, however, important to break down the other ingredients in the recipe, so do follow the amount listed in the ingredients.

Brown Sugar

Measure brown sugar by putting it into the measuring cup using a spoon. Once youve done that, make sure that it is packed down (unless the recipe states otherwise).

Semi-Liquid Ingredients

For ingredients like yogurt or peanut butter, measure them in dry measuring cups. Because theyre thick, these ingredients tend to be tricky and often sticky. Use nonstick cooking spray, as we mentioned in the tips above, to aid in an easier cleanup. Once youve spooned and leveled the ingredients, use a rubber spatula to get the remaining tidbits into your mixing bowl.

Additional Ingredients

Adding ingredients like candies and chocolate chips is fun, tasty and easy. All you have to do is pour them into a measuring cup and then stir them into your baked good. When it comes to dry and liquid equivalents, heres a handy guide to keep on hand during your baking bonanza.

Dry Ingredient Equivalents:

1 Tablespoon = 3 teaspoons 1/16 cup = 1 Tablespoon 1/8 cup = 2 Tablespoons 1/4 cup = 4 Tablespoons 1/3 cup = 5 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon 1/2 cup = 8 Tablespoons 2/3 cup = 10 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons 3/4 cup = 12 Tablespoons 1 cup = 16 Tablespoons or 48 teaspoons  

Liquid Ingredient Equivalents:

Baking Measurements: A Guide 8 fluid ounces = 1 cup = 1/2 pint 16 fluid ounces = 2 cups = 1 pint 32 fluid ounces = 4 cups = 2 pints = 1 quart 64 fluid ounces = 8 cups = 4 pints = 2 quarts 128 fluid ounces = 4 quarts = 1 gallon Or you can do as our friend Sally from Sallys Baking Addiction likes to do and measure by weight. As she notes, some may say this is a waste of time, but its how she goes about getting the exact results she wants. A cup isnt always a cup, she says, but a gram/ounce is always a gram/ounce. Here is the food scale she uses for common ingredients: 1 cup all purpose flour = 125 grams (4 1/2 ounces) 1 cup sifted all purpose flour = 115 grams (4 ounces) 1 cup bread flour = 130 grams (4 1/2 ounces) 1 cup sifted bread flour = 121 grams (4 1/4 ounces) 1 cup (packed) brown sugar = 200 grams (7 1/2 ounces) 1/2 cup butter = 1 stick = 115 grams (4 ounces) 1 cup cake flour = 115 grams (4 ounces) 1 cup sifted cake flour = 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) 1 cup chocolate chips = 180 grams (6 1/4 ounces) 1/2 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder = 41 grams (1.6 ounces) 1 cup confectioners sugar = 120 grams (4 1/4 ounces) 1 cup sifted confectioners sugar = 115 grams (4 ounces) 1/4 cup cornstarch = 28 grams (1 ounce) 1 cup granulated sugar = 200 grams (7 1/2 ounces) 1 Tablespoon honey = 21 grams (3/4 ounce) 1/2 cup maple syrup = 156 grams (5 1/2 ounces) 1 cup milk = 227 grams (240 ml; 8 ounces) 1/4 cup molasses = 85 grams (3 ounces) 1 cup oats = 95 grams (3 ounces) 1/2 cup peanut butter = 135 grams (4 3/4 ounces) 1 cup sour cream or yogurt = 227 grams (8 ounces) 1 cup whole wheat flour = 113 grams (4 ounces) So, now that youve built up your confidence and are a baking measurement pro, it's time to get in the kitchen and start baking! Try something like this Seasonal Fruit Galette if you're looking for a dessert fit for a dinner party or summer gathering. Its a no-fuss treat that guests can serve themselves. If youre looking for a versatile baked good to top with butter and jam or to fill with breakfast ingredients like bacon and sausage, try experimenting with these Homemade Whole Wheat Buttermilk Biscuits. This Chocolate Aai Icebox Cake is rich and subtly sweet with a creamy macadamia nut frosting, perfect for a special occasion or intimate gathering. These Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes are bright and bursting with fresh berries, the ideal baked good to experiment with when youre looking to create something refreshing and not-too-sweet with a light frosting. Or, you can always opt for a classic, like BabyCakes NYC Chocolate Chip Cookies, the best blend of all the wholesome baking ingredients we swoon over. Whether youre creating cookies, cake, or every baked good in between, we hope this baking guide has inspired you to create! What are your favorite tricks for getting those perfect baked goods time and time again? Share them with us in the comments below!
Bob's Red Mill
June 25 2018

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