How to Measure Ingredients

To be successful in the kitchen, you need to know how to measure ingredients for cooking and baking. Although measuring delicious baked goods is more critical due to the precise science of baking, measuring accurately for all kinds of cooking ensures tasty results.

The key to successful baking is proper measuring. Baking is chemistry and requires precision, unlike cooking, where you can often get away with estimating the ingredients.

How to Measure Ingredients

I learned the importance of measuring ingredients from my mom. She always told me “When it comes to the science of baking, accuracy is everything.” I learned over my teenage years that it is TRULY the difference between success and failure in a recipe.

My mom’s food always came out perfectly. I learned how to measure accurately dry and liquid ingredients when I was fifteen. I passed this knowledge down to my daughters so they can bake like a pro, and now you can too!

Measuring Tools Essentials

My mom shared with me the golden rule of measuring “Use dry measuring cups for dry ingredients and liquid measuring cups for liquid ingredients. It was TRULY that simple. A good set of measuring tools is ABSOLUTELY essential.  

Here are our Amazon affiliate links to all our must-have measuring tools 

Etekcity Kitchen Digital Scale

Dry Ingredient Measuring Cups

Wet Ingredient Glass Measuring Cups

Warmheart Measuring Spoons 

Airtight Storage Containers

Converting US Measurements:

In the United States, the most common units of measurements you’ll find are gallons, quarts, pints, cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, and fluid ounces.

When you need to convert your ingredients there are some very useful conversion weight charts on Amazon. My quick and easy go-to chart to convert ingredients when my favorite magnetic chart is not available is the Ingredient Weight Chart from King Authur Baking. 

If the recipe provides the measurements in grams, feel free to use a kitchen scale to weigh those ingredients for the best results. Don’t forget to zero out the bowl before adding the ingredients.

US Measurements Equivalency 

Here are a few basic equivalencies for measurements:

Measuring with Dry Ingredients Cups:

Dry ingredients typically do not level themselves.

Use a large spoon to fill the measuring cup without shaking or packing. Use a straight edge or butter knife to level off the top of the cup. A properly measured dry ingredient should have a flat top surface that is level with the brim of the cup.

Measuring Brown Sugar

To measure brown sugar since it has a unique moist texture, it needs to be packed into a dry measuring cup. Firmly press brown sugar into the cup with your fingers or the back of a spoon. Level with the rim of the cup. If packed correctly, brown sugar should hold the shape of the cup when it is turned out. 

Measuring the not so dry

When measuring ingredients like applesauce, peanut butter, sour cream, yogurt, and other ingredients that aren’t dry or liquids as dry ingredients. Spoon in the ingredients and level off.

Measuring with Wet Ingredients Cups:

Wet ingredients typically level themselves

Place an appropriately sized liquid measuring cup on a flat, stable surface and squat or bend down to the level of the measuring cup to visualize the fill line. Pour in your liquid until it is just under the line.

Measuring Sticky Ingredients

When it comes to measuring sticky ingredients (honey, molasses, peanut butter), lightly spray the measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray so they don’t stick to the cup. When you pour, the ingredients will slip right out, or at least come out very easily with the assistance of a rubber scraper with little waste.

Measuring with (Wet and Dry) Ingredients spoons:

1. Pour liquid ingredients onto the top of the measuring spoon without letting the liquid spillover.
2. Dip the spoon into containers then level off the top with a straight edge for an accurate measure.

How to Use a Digital Kitchen Scale

Turn the scale on, place an empty bowl in the center of the scale and zero out the scale so you aren’t including the weight of your bowl. Add your ingredients to the bowl until desired weight is displayed on the screen.

How do you measure ingredients?

Please share in the comments below! We always love to hear your thoughts. If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #appetizersandentrees on Instagram. We really enjoy seeing what you’re cooking in the kitchen.

— We love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! Find us: @appetizersandentrees

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