Things You'll Need:
- 1 pt. glass measuring cup
- Measuring cups in 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 cup sizes
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing spoon
- Butter knife
- Digital kitchen scale
-
Step 1
Pour liquid ingredients into a clear glass measuring cup and place the cup on a counter or table. Bend down to put the level of the liquid directly in front of your eyes. Look for the level to be on the correct measurement. Avoid holding the cup up in front of your eyes, as the liquid level will not be as perfectly level as it is when the cup sits on a stable surface.
-
Step 2
Follow the directions in the recipe for measuring compressible ingredients such as brown sugar or solid shortening. Some recipes require you to pack the ingredient into the measuring cup. Use a cup the same size as required in the recipe and fill it halfway with the brown sugar or shortening. Press the top down with the back of a mixing spoon before adding more on top and packing it until you fill the cup. Sweep the back of a butter knife across the top of the cup to level.
-
Step 3
Measure small amounts of ingredients with measuring spoons by filling the spoon and leveling off the top with the back of a knife.
-
Step 4
Many recipes specify the weight of ingredients. Use a kitchen scale for accuracy. When possible, weigh out flour or powdered sugar rather than using volumetric measurements.
-
Step 5
Read the recipe carefully, as the measuring techniques for flour yield different amounts by weight. Measure flour after you have sifted it, if your recipe calls for sifted flour. If you sift the flour with other ingredients, measure the flour before sifting. Stir the flour in your canister with a spoon and scoop the flour into a measuring cup, leveling it off with a knife.
-
Step 6
Use a "scoop and sweep" method for measuring flour if your recipe directly requires it. Dip the measuring cup directly into the flour canister and level the top with the back of a butter knife.
-
Step 7
Measure oil or eggs in a glass measuring cup before measuring out sticky ingredients such as syrup or honey. Do not wash the cup between uses because the fat from the eggs or oil coats the inside of the measuring cup to prevent the sticky ingredients from sticking inside.
-
Step 8
Use the tbsp. marks on the butter stick wrappers to count out the amount of butter tbsp. you need for your recipe. Cut the butter stick at that mark through the wrapper, and unwrap the cut portion of the butter stick before adding to the bowl.
