Lesson 03All levels7 minmeasuring

Measuring Dry Ingredients

Measure flour, sugar and more the baker's way: spoon and level, choose the right cup or spoon, and pack brown sugar.

Measuring Dry Ingredients

Baking is a bit like a science experiment, so the amounts matter. Dry ingredients are things like flour, sugar and baking powder. You will learn to measure them the same careful way every time.

You will learn

  • How to spoon and level flour
  • How to choose cups and spoons
  • How to pack brown sugar

What you need

  • Dry measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • A big spoon
  • A table knife for leveling
  • Flour and brown sugar
  • A tray to catch spills
  • Your grown-up

Steps

  1. Meet your toolsDry measuring cups come in sizes like 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup and 1/4 cup. Measuring spoons come in tablespoons and teaspoons, often shortened to tbsp and tsp. The tablespoon is the bigger one.
  2. Spoon the flour inWash your hands first, and check every ingredient with your grown-up for allergies. Stir the flour in its bag with a spoon to fluff it up. Then hold your cup over a tray and spoon flour in until it heaps over the top. Do not scoop with the cup or tap it, because that squashes in extra flour.
  3. Level it offLevel means flat across the top. Slide the straight back of a table knife across the rim to sweep off the extra. No tasting raw flour, because it can carry germs that make people sick.
  4. Measure small amountsFor baking powder, baking soda and salt, dip the spoon in and level it the same way. Baking powder and baking soda help bakes rise, so small amounts make a big difference.
  5. Pack the brown sugarBrown sugar is the one you squash on purpose. Packed means pressed down firmly, so press it into the cup until it is full and flat. Tipped out, it should hold the cup's shape like a sandcastle.

Grown-up help

Little Helpers can spoon and level while you hold the bag, and older bakers can do it all. A tray under the cup makes cleanup quick.

Try it

Check yourself

1. Why should you spoon flour into the cup instead of scooping?

Show answer

Scooping squashes in extra flour, and too much flour can make a bake dry.

2. What does level mean?

Show answer

It means sweeping off the extra so the top is flat with the rim.

3. How do you know brown sugar is packed?

Show answer

It holds the shape of the cup when you tip it out.