Originally posted in 2015. Updated 12/8/22.

Hey folks! The holiday season is upon us, and seasonal baking has kicked into full gear in homes across the country.

Of the many things I’ve learned over the years in my culinary creations, using the correct measuring equipment for baking is essential to ensure you get the same results each time. It is crucial in baking, as exact measurements are critical. Where cooking lends itself to adding “a little of this and a little of that,” baking is a precise science. Follow along as I explain the different tools and measurements.

Use dry ingredient measuring cups for the following:

Solids

Solids are best measured in a dry cup and include flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar (confectioner sugar), sugar, brown sugar, and extra ingredients (nuts, dried fruit, chips, etc.). Flour, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar are best spooned into the measuring cup and leveled off with the back of a knife, whereas sugar can be scooped out of a bag or container and then leveled off with a knife. Brown sugar, unless otherwise noted, is usually scooped and firmly packed in the dry measuring cup. Extra ingredients may be scooped into a dry measuring cup.

Semi-liquids include peanut butter, yogurt, applesauce, sour cream, mashed bananas, shortening, and butter (if not in stick form). For the ingredients that need to be packed down, like peanut butter, butter (not in stick form), and shortening, spoon the ingredients into a dry measuring cup, pack them down with a spatula, and level with the back of a knife or spatula. For the other semi-liquids (yogurt, applesauce, sour cream, mashed bananas, etc.), spoon into (like you do with flour) the dry measuring cups and level off with the straight edge of a knife or spatula.

Liquid Sweeteners, while typically classified as a liquid, these sticky ingredients are best if measured in a dry measuring cup and sprayed with a bit of cooking oil before use.

Use liquid measuring cups for:

Liquids include milk, oil, water, and melted butter. Use a 1, 2, 4, or 8 liquid measuring cup with markings for lesser amounts on the side of the cup. Always make sure the liquid measuring cup is on a level surface, and always read the measurement at eye level.

For wet (liquid) and dry (solid) ingredients:

For smaller amounts of dry, solid, or liquid ingredients, use measuring spoons (teaspoons, Tablespoons, or less) to measure.

Helpful hints

To sift or not to sift?

If a recipe calls for “1 cup of flour, sifted,” — measure the flour, then sift it. If a recipe calls for “1 cup of sifted flour,” — sift the flour, then measure. It all depends on where the word “sifted” is in the ingredient wording. If “sifted” is before the ingredient name, sift before measuring. If “sifted” is after the ingredient name, sift after measuring.- Sally’s Baking Addiction. The same goes for confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar).

Make your holiday baking stress free by following these simple measuring guidelines. Happy baking!