How To Use Baking Tools & Measurement Equipment

Baking can be a challenge if you don't understand the proper measurements.

Using all the measurement and baking tools designed for baking and cooking can be overwhelming and challenging. However, understanding the proper use of baking equipment will lead to quicker and easier baking and better tasting and looking results. Baking and measuring tools such as measuring cups, different mixing mechanisms and cooking instruments will help ensure you follow recipes accurately and create the baked goods that you set out to make.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Rolling pin
• Wax paper
• Flour
• Pastry blender
• Bowl

Instructions

1. Use graded cups for dry ingredients. Graded cups are cups to the exact size of the measurement and come in 1/4 cup variations. For example, a set will typically have a 1/4 cup, a 1/2 cup, a 1/3 cup and a full cup. Spoon dry materials, such as flour or sugar, into the cups instead of pouring for an accurate and clean measurement.

2. Use a glass cup for a liquid ingredient. A glass cup will hold up to one to two cups of ingredient. The smaller portions will be displayed on the cup by line markings. Other variations could include 3/4 of a cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 of a cup, 2/3 of a cup and a 1/4 cup. Pour the ingredients, such as corn syrup, into the glass cup. Hold the cup at eye level for accurate measuring.

3. Use measuring spoons for measuring small amounts of liquid and dry ingredients. Do not pour the ingredients over your mixing bowl, since any accidental overflow will land in with your other ingredients, throwing off your measurements. Dip the spoon into dry ingredients, such as sugar, and slide a knife over the top edge of the spoon to remove any excess. Slowly pour liquid ingredients into the spoon at eye level until the liquid reaches the brim of the spoon.

4. Sprinkle flour over wax paper in preparation for using a rolling pin. The flour helps prevent the dough from sticking. A rolling pin helps you to flatten out dough, such as for a pie crust. Place the dough in the middle of the wax paper and roll out the dough to a flat, even consistency by rolling the rolling pin from the center of the dough out.

5. Mix together pie crust ingredients with a hand-held pastry blender. Combining dry ingredients, such as flour, with semi-soft ingredients, such as butter, can be challenging. A pastry blender helps to combine the two to form a moist texture. Press down and cut through the combined ingredients with the wires of the pastry blender until the batter reaches an even texture.

References

• Dummies: Measuring Ingredients for Baking
• Classic Cookie Recipes: Baking Tools
• Recipe Tips: Mixing Methods