Kitchen Skills: Measuring Wet or Dry Ingredients

Kids love to be involved in the kitchen. If your little helpers enjoy baking or assisting with meal prep and are eager to help out, teaching them basic kitchen skills is a great way to empower them. And, measuring ingredients accurately is a fundamental skill they can learn early on. Whether you use measuring cups or a kitchen scale, the process is a fun and educational experience that can bring delicious results.

Wet Versus Dry Ingredients

In baking (and cooking), ingredients are categorized as either wet or dry. Understanding the difference between these two is important. Mixing wet and dry ingredients with the right measurements, in the right order is essential for achieving delicious results.

Wet Ingredients – are typically fluid and pour easily. These include water, milk, oil, eggs, and syrups. These types of ingredients are measured with liquid measuring cups or spoons.
Dry Ingredients – are typically in a powdered or granular form. These include flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. These ingredients are measured with dry measuring cups or spoons.

Essential Kitchen Tools for Accurate Measurements

Have the right tools on hand before you start baking. This will help you or your young bakers to measure ingredients accurately for whatever recipe you choose to make. And, by using the right measuring tools, you can be sure that your baked goods will turn out perfectly every time.

Dry Measuring Cups – dry measuring cups are usually nested cups with flat tops that come in various sizes, usually ranging from 1/4 cup to 1 cup. Dry ingredients should be leveled off with a straight edge spatula.
Liquid Measuring Cups – liquid measuring cups differ from dry cups, as they have a pour spout and clear markings to indicate various liquid measurements. These measuring cups are transparent and usually have a handle for easy pouring.
Measuring Spoons – measuring spoons are used for smaller quantities of both dry and wet ingredients. They come in various sizes from 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, and 1/4 teaspoon. You can also use an adjustable measuring spoon. These are handy as you can adjust the spoon for the size you need without needing multiple measuring spoons.
Kitchen Scale – a kitchen scale offers a more precise way of measuring both dry and wet ingredients, especially when recipes are written with specific weights, like grams or ounces.
Spatula – a straight edge spatula or butter knife can be used to level off dry ingredients.

The Right Measuring Cup Matters

As you can see, certain measuring cups are designed for specific ingredients. Dry measuring cups, with their flat tops, are ideal for leveling off dry ingredients like flour or sugar, allowing you to get the exact amount needed for your recipe. Liquid measuring cups, on the other hand, have transparent sides for easy viewing and pouring of liquids when measuring.

While it might be tempting to use one measuring cup to simplify cleanup, using the wrong one can lead to inaccurate measurements, which can potentially ruin your recipe. Baking is a science, and precise measurements are crucial for successful results. Always choose the correct measuring cup for the ingredient you’re working with.

Measuring Flour (and Other Dry Ingredients) Correctly

Are you guilty of scooping flour directly from the bag into your measuring cup? This common mistake can result in using more flour than the recipe calls for. Packing the flour down may give you more flour than you actually need, which can lead to a denser, heavier baked good.

When measuring dry ingredients like flour or sugar, it is essential to use a light, scooping motion to fill the measuring cup up without packing it down. And, since flour can settle over time, it’s a good idea to fluff it up with a spoon or whisk before measuring.

Lightly spoon your dry ingredient, like flour, into your measuring cup. Once filled, don’t tap the cup on the counter to level the flour. This can pack it down, giving you inaccurate measurements. Instead, level off the excess flour with a straight-edged spatula or butter knife. This also applies to measuring ingredients like baking soda or salt into a measuring spoon.

Measuring Liquids Like a Pro

It’s easy to measure liquids like a pro. First, select a liquid measuring cup that is large enough to hold the desired amount of liquid needed for your recipe. Place the measuring cup on a flat surface – don’t hold it while you pour. The measuring cup needs to sit firmly on a level surface for an accurate measure.

Pour slowly and carefully so you avoid splashing or creating bubbles. Once poured, look at the measuring cup at eye level to ensure the liquid is at the correct measurement line so you don’t have more or less than what the recipe calls for. For smaller amounts of liquids, like vanilla extract, use measuring spoons to measure out what you need.

Measuring Other Ingredients

You now know which measuring cups to use for liquid ingredients and dry ingredients, but what about measuring sticky substances like honey, molasses and corn syrup or thicker ingredients, like sour cream? What type of measuring cup should you use? Does it really make a difference?

For ingredients like sour cream and yogurt, a dry measuring cup works best. Scoop the ingredient in your measuring cup and level off the excess just like you would with flour or sugar. For sticky liquids like honey, molasses, or corn syrup, a liquid measuring cup is the best option. Be sure to lightly spray the measuring cup with cooking spray before using to prevent sticking.

What About Butter?

When it comes to measuring butter for a recipe, there are two ways to measure: by volume (using a measuring cup) or by weight (using a kitchen scale). For the best baking results, bring butter to room temperature, unless the recipe says otherwise.

To measure by volume, use a dry measuring cup. If your butter is soft, scoop it into the cup. Then, use a straight-edged tool to level off the excess. If your butter is hard, you can grate it into a bowl and then pack it into a measuring cup, leveling off the excess. To measure by weight, place your bowl on the kitchen scale and zero it out. Then, add the butter until you reach the needed weight for your recipe.

And, while the wrapper on a stick of butter has tick marks on the side, these are actually not for measuring. Since the marks can vary between brands and types of butter, this can lead to an inaccurate measurement. To get the right amount of butter needed for a recipe, use a measuring cup or kitchen scale.

Mastering Measurements for Baking Success

Mastering the art of accurate ingredient measurement is a fundamental skill for any baker. Using the right tools and techniques ensures that your recipe turns out every time. Whether you’re measuring dry ingredients, wet ingredients, or sticky substances, it’s important to teach young bakers the proper measuring techniques, even if it means a little bit of mess in the kitchen.

Paying attention to detail in your measurements will significantly improve the quality and consistency of your baked goods. Remind yourself and your young bakers that practice makes perfect. And mastering measurement techniques is one simple way to enhance your baking abilities.