How to measure ingredients properly (2024)

FAQs

How to measure ingredients properly? ›

Pack down the ingredient, and level off, if necessary, so it is even with the top of the cup. Measuring Chopped Nuts, Shredded Cheese or Cereal: fill a dry measuring cup lightly without packing down the ingredient, and level off so it is even with the top of the cup.

Pack down the ingredient, and level off, if necessary, so it is even with the top of the cup. Measuring Chopped Nuts, Shredded Cheese or Cereal: fill a dry measuring cup lightly without packing down the ingredient, and level off so it is even with the top of the cup.

It's time for you to invest in a good digital scale (even an inexpensive analog scale is a big step up over measuring cups or spoons). It's more accurate. There are no compressibility problems when measuring by weight. Five ounces of flour is always five ounces of flour, no matter how you transfer it to the bowl.

Different ingredients are measured in different ways: Liquid ingredients are generally measured by volume worldwide. Dry bulk ingredients, such as sugar and flour, are measured by weight in most of the world ("250 g flour"), and by volume in North America ("1⁄2 cup flour").

Weight Versus Volume

Measuring your baking ingredients using a scale instead of the measuring cups (which measure volume) is the best way to ensure the perfect amount of each ingredient. It might seem like a cup is a cup, but consider the density of your ingredients.

Weighing is the most accurate way to measure or calculate portion size. You can purchase a kitchen scale at most big box stores or online. We suggest investing in a digital scale as opposed to an old fashioned spring-loaded scale. The digital scales are easier to use and more accurate.

A cup of all-purpose flour weighs 4 1/4 ounces or 120 grams. This chart is a quick reference for volume, ounces, and grams equivalencies for common ingredients.

Flour is the most common mis-measured ingredient. Whether you're using bread flour, cake flour, all-purpose flour, or any other flours on the market, use the “spoon & level” method. Do not scoop the flour out of the container/bag with your measuring cup because you could end up with 50% more than you need.

Micrometers: In the hands of a skilled operator, the precision micrometer is the most accurate hand-held tool available.

Use level teaspoons or tablespoons to measure out the required amount of seasoning. Use a scale: For more precise measurements, use a kitchen scale to weigh out the required amount of spice or seasoning. Follow the recipe: Most recipes will provide measurements for the required spices and seasonings.

How do Italians measure ingredients? ›

Measurements are given (mostly) by weight—unless otherwise specified. Italians, like most Europeans, measure solid food stuffs by weight, not by volume. Once you adopt this practice, you realize how flawed any other method really is. What does, for example, “one cup of chopped spinach” really mean?

For the Most Accuracy, Use a Kitchen Scale!

In most cases, weight is trustier than volume measurements. If a recipe calls for 140 grams of flour, there's no quibbling. But one cup of flour – even one weighed with the fluff-and-scoop method – can weigh anywhere between 120 grams or 170 grams.

Most dry food products in France are measured in grams/grammes (g); for example, 1 cup of flour would be roughly 128g.

Weighing your flour is always the best way to go, but if you don't have a scale, spooning the flour into a measuring cup and leveling it with a knife is your next best bet.

Measuring spoons are used to measure small quantities of both dry and liquid ingredients. It is helpful to have two sets so one can be used for dry and one for liquid ingredients. A set of four measuring spoons will include ¼ teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon.