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This post on how to measure Ingredients was a long time coming! When it comes to baking, accuracy is everything and could mean the difference between success or failure in a recipe.
Watch the video below and learn how to accurately measure all kinds of dry and liquid ingredients so you can bake and cook like a pro.
We’re sharing all of our tips and tricks with you. Some of these ideas will surprise you!.
Watch the Video Tutorial on How to Measure Ingredients:
Our Favorite Measuring Tools:
Here are our Amazon affiliate links to all of our favorite measuring tools (as seen in this video):
Dry Ingredient Measuring Cups
Wet Ingredient Glass Measuring Cups (with pour spout)
Measuring Spoons (2-sided, magnetic)
Digital OXO Kitchen Scale
OXO Storage Containers
Progressive Flour Bin
Progressive Brown Sugar Bin (clay disk keeps sugar moist)
Avocado Oil Cooking Spray
Converting US Measurements to Grams:
Most baking ingredients in the US are measured in cups, oz, lbs, Tbsp, etc. so if you are looking for a good chart to convert ingredients, this conversion chart from King Arthur Flour is my usual go-to source for quick conversions to and from grams.
If you have a kitchen scale and a recipe provides the measurements in grams, by all means weigh those ingredients for best results. Just be sure to zero the bowl before adding the ingredient.
Looking to improve your cooking skills this year? Click to explore our How-To section with all of our cooking tutorials.
Print-Friendly Reference on How to Measure:
How to Measure Ingredients (Wet and Dry)
Ingredients
Tools For Measuring:
- Dry Ingredient Measuring Cups
- Wet Ingredient Measuring Cups, with pour spout
- Measuring Spoons
- Digital Kitchen Scale
Instructions
Measuring with Dry Ingredients Cups:
- Used for anything that does not level itself.
- Spoon the ingredient into the measuring cup and level off the top with a straight edge.
- To measure packed brown sugar, push the sugar into the cup with your hand. It is packed correctly when you turn it out onto a plate and it keeps the shape of the measuring cup.
Measuring with Wet Ingredients Cups (with pour spout):
- Used for ingredients that level themselves
- Set the cup on a flat surface and get down to the level of the measuring cup to visualize the fill line.
- When measuring sticky ingredients (honey, molasses, corn syrup), lightly spray the measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray so they don't stick to the cup and pour easily with little waste.
How to Use Measuring spoons:
- Pour liquid ingredients to the top of the measuring spoon.
- Dip spoon into spice containers then level off the top with a straight edge for an accurate measure.
How to Use a Digital Kitchen Scale
- Used when exact measures are required (i.e. almond flour for macarons, chocolate, fruit)
- Turn the scale on, place an empty bowl in the center of the scale and click "zero" or "tare" to zero out the scale so you aren't including the weight of your bowl. Add your ingredients to the bowl until desired weight displays on the screen.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Q: Did any of these measuring tips surprise you? Let me know if you learned something new 😀
Can you use regular butter if you don’t have unsalted or what else can you do?
Hi Jeannie, that would depend on the recipe you are substituted in.
The recipe is your soft baked chocolate chip cookies!
I noticed your brown sugar container. Does it have a mechanism on the lid to help keep air out? Is it possible to know what container you use?
Hi Heather, this is the brown sugar keeper that we use and enjoy.
Hey Natasha!!! i wanna ask how we mesure the butter. in many of your recipes you say 2 tbspoon of butter for example. how we know that the butter we are putting is corect. Thank you
Hi Stalo, butter in the US is marked by tablespoons on the wrapping. If you don’t have the wrapping here’s a quick tip we find helpful – remember that 1 tablespoon of butter is 14 grams or, 4 tablespoons equal 1/4 cup.
Do you sift dry ingredients before or after measuring?
Hi Beverly, I will always say in a recipe when to sift. I typically measure before sifting.
I am jumping into ya’lls discussion…forgive me but my question pertains to this same topic. I was taught to always sift dries before measuring. I know now that your recipes will instruct me on this…but what about other recipes that do not mention sifting at all. Is it safer to sift first or not? Thank up you.
Hi Melissa, I will always specify if there is a need to sift.
Natasha I’m a 65 year young man & I didn’t use to have to cook but things have changed & now do but only micro wave mostly or soup in a can or boxed cereal etc. I have been watching your videos & also all recipes videos I finally baked my 1st easy cookies yesterday ! Because you especially have made want to learn i have made a new years resolution to try harder at making my own food I have a very hard time with phones & this tablet so I am not good at how to use your website for what I’m starting to think is easier than I am making it do you have any suggestions for me or a tutorial to learn how to make better use of website thanks ! Randy
Ps how to save the recipes & then find them again also same with the ingredients & the videos
I’m so glad to hear it! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Randy!
I’m 69 years old and never knew I have been incorrectly measuring flour. I was a dipper (like I was taught) but not anymore! Thanks!
I love all of your recipies!
I’m so glad you found that helpful! I hope this helps all of your recipes going forward.
Thank you so much, Natasha, for all your wonderful recipes. I have already tried quite a lot of them and they are always great. And you are a very friendly and adorable person, so the pleasure is doubled. Thank you for taking the time to let us know the equivalent measures of your cups, as I cook with grams, it is very helpful here in France.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy that was helpful!
Thanks for the tips , always nice to review also cant wait to make Pumpkin bread & honey butter
You’re welcome! I’m so glad that was helpful!
love it!
Hi Natasha
I’d like to try your rye and wheat bread .what is better for bread flour?
Hi, it is essentially “bread flour.” Some of them say “better for bread flour” but they are one and the same thing.
Never to old to learn. Thank you
Yes! Never too old! Thank you for that great review!
We’re going to keep you and your fun style for a very long time. Love the videos.
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles!
After nearly 70 years I finally have had someone show me how to measure properly. At least now I can teach my grand daughter the correct way right from the start.
I’m so happy this was helpful Jill!
Thanks the video really helped.
I’m so happy to hear that Rebecca!
I learned something new as I watched your video. That is to add flour to a measuring cup with a spoon. I have cooked for many years an have always “scooped” with the measuring cup. Thanks for sharing this tip. I also like the magnetic measuring spoons and will go get some today
I’m so happy that was helpful! Thank you for sharing that with me!
I am making a Boston cream pie, and it calls for 3/4 cup cake flour. I know I can substitute cake flour with all-purpose flour, but i only have bread flour. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Elena, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Natasha, you video on measuring could have included using water for measuring shortening or peanut butter or the like i.e. measuring 1/2 cup of peanut butter, fill glass measuring pitcher with 1 C cold water, add peanut butter up to 1 1/2 cups.
Thank you for sharing your measuring tip!
Great video, will have to have my daughter watch it as i am teaching her to cook as well. I would strongly recommend the new multi cup measuring cups from OXO that have a top read diagonal line!!! they are fantastic and the top down lines are smaller so much greater accuracy!
I love that you are involving your daughter in the cooking process! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Jeremy!
Natasha, last week I saw a recipe/video for Coconut Truffles with M & M’s, chocolate/white chips, etc but yesterday that I was going to make the Truffles, I couldn’t find the recipe. Could you help me out? Where on your website can I find it? Thank you!
Hi Marie, the recipe is in the first comment on the Facebook video here. I hope you love it! 🙂
Natasha, I love your sense of humor!! I had a good laugh, haha. Thank you for all these great videos and making them fun too. 🙂
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me :). I’m all smiles!
I get confused with the American cups to measure. I have learned that a stick of butter is 40z, But how much is a cup of butter in ounces?
Hi Carol, 1 stick of butter is 113 grams. 1 cup of butter is 2 sticks or 226 grams or 8 oz.
Thank you for your reply, it will help greatly when following one of your recipes
You’re welcome Carol!