How to Measure Cake Ingredients Without Scales

A scale is one of the most accurate methods to measure materials while preparing a cake. Making a cake is such an exact science that you want the components to be as precisely measured as possible, which is why many professional chefs and baking enthusiasts prefer to weigh ingredients rather than use measuring cups and spoons.

However, not everyone has access to a kitchen scale. Don’t be concerned! I’ll show you how to correctly measure cake ingredients without a scale and obtain beautiful cake results.

Liquid Measuring Cups and Dry Measuring Cups

You may have spotted both liquid and dry measuring cups at the supermarket and questioned whether you really needed both. The short answer is that you most certainly do.

While both types of measuring cups have the same capacity, they are intended to measure their particular substances precisely.

Measuring dry items in a liquid measuring cup will be incorrect, and if you attempt to measure wet ingredients in a dry cup, you will most likely spill the wet contents, making the measurement wrong once again.

Here’s a rundown of each measuring equipment and how it should be used to precisely measure your cake components.

Liquid Measuring Cups

Liquid measurement cups are generally one big cup with levels marked down the side. A one cup liquid measurement cup will have lines down the side that indicate how much of a cup, half a cup, and cup is.

On the side, write 3 of a cup as well as the ounces for each measurement. 3 and 2There may also be lines to indicate 1

If your measuring cup is meant to measure one cup, it may be somewhat bigger if you fill it to the brim. This is, once again, part of the design.

After measuring a liquid, take up the cup and transfer it to the mixing bowl. Having a cup that is bigger than the maximum amount you are measuring will avoid any spills as you move it around.

Dry Measuring Cups

Tool for measuring 3 cup, cup, and 1 cup. Each one is unique since they are supposed to be filled to the brim with the precise quantity you need. 3 cup, cup, 2Dry measuring cups are available in a variety of sizes and are often offered in a set. Each set will most likely include a cup, 1

To measure a dry ingredient, scoop it up with the cup and scrape the excess away with a knife (or other flat utensil), leaving the cup perfectly level and exact.

Weights of Ingredients

You will need to conduct some arithmetic if you have a recipe that is measured by weight rather than volume.

While one cup equals eight ounces is the traditional rule for liquid components, this is not the case for dry ingredients. Because each dry component has a variable weight per volume, knowing the weights of each ingredient is critical.

That is, of course, a lot to remember! It is a good idea to take your weighted recipe and check up each item one at a time, writing down the volume conversion.

To get you started, here are a few of the most frequent components used in cake making. I’ve included the weights for one full cup so you can do the math!

• All Purpose Flour: 1 cup = 4.25 ounces
• Cake Flour: 1 cup = 4.25 ounces
• Brown Sugar: 1 cup = 7.5 ounces
• Powdered Sugar: 1 cup = 6 ounces
• Granulated Sugar: 1 cup = 7 ounces
• Chocolate Chips: 1 cup = 6 ounces
• Cocoa Powder: 1 cup = 3 ounces
• Honey: 1 cup = 12 ounces
• Oats: 1 cup = 3.125 ounces
• Butter: 1 cup = 8 ounces

Extra Tips and Tricks for Measuring Cake Ingredients

Now that you understand how to use measuring cups and spoons, as well as how to calculate cups from component weights, here are a few additional tips and methods to help you precisely measure ingredients while baking a cake.

If you follow these guidelines, you will have flawless cake results every time!

Level the Cup

When measuring dry ingredients using a dry measuring cup, use a spoon to scoop the ingredient into the measuring cup. Fill the cup to the brim with the ingredient, heaping it as high as possible.

Scrape the excess off the top of the measuring cup using a knife, flat spatula, or leveling tool, pushing the leveling tool against the top of the measuring cup to make the ingredient perfectly level with the top of the cup. This will guarantee that your measurement is accurate.

Do Not Pack

When measuring ingredients in a dry measuring cup, don’t push the contents down. You don’t want to cram the components in since this will modify the amount.

For example, stuffing flour into a cup and pushing down on it to accommodate more might result in a substantial quantity of flour being added that is not required in the recipe. Simply scoop, level, and pour the dry ingredients into the mixing bowl!

Brown sugar is the single exception to cramming dry ingredients into a measuring cup. If a recipe specifies requests that you put your brown sugar into the cup, do so!

Wet Ingredients

Pour the liquid into the measuring cup and then set the measuring cup on a flat surface (like your counter) to measure wet ingredients. Bend down to eye level with the cup and check the lines on the cup to see how much liquid you have.

When you look at the cup at eye level, you’ll be able to see where the ingredients line up with the marks, letting you know straight away whether you need more or less of your wet components.

Butter Measuring

Butter is usually wrapped in paper with pre-measured lines. To measure butter, use a sharp knife to cut through the paper at the line that represents the amount needed.

Unwrap the butter and then use it as needed!

Check the Wording

Always study recipes thoroughly to determine how they are written. This may greatly influence how much of an ingredient you need.

For example, a dish that asks for one cup of finely chopped strawberries will cost much more than one that calls for one cup of split strawberries. A cup of halved strawberries may only contain 3-4 strawberries, but a cup of finely chopped strawberries may have 6-8 strawberries.

The wording in the recipe is very important for measuring accuracy! While scales are useful for measuring ingredients, you do not need one!

Measure using the proper instruments, carefully read your instructions, and take your time when measuring your cake components, and you’ll have no problem- no scale required!