How to measure flour using the spoon and level method. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, the spoon and level method is the next best way to measure your flour correctly!
Let’s talk about how to measure flour using the spoon and level method.
Recipes are all about ratios. Baking is a science after all, right? As simple as it sounds, you need the correct amount of ingredients to have successful (and delicious) results when you bake! If your ratios are off, chances are you won’t get the results you’re looking for.
The most common ingredients that get measured incorrectly are dry ingredients like flour, cocoa powder, and oats. Several people (myself included in a former life), measure these ingredients by scooping them out of a cannister with a measuring cup. But did you know that measuring your ingredients by scooping with a measuring cup can increase the amount of that ingredient by as much as 50 percent? That’s a lot of extra flour.
Having too much flour (or cocoa powder or oats) in your bake can drastically alter your results. Cookies become cakey, cakes become tough and dense, quick breads, scones and muffins turn out dry…you get the picture. No good.
And if you’re going to put in the time and effort to bake something, you want it to turn out delicious. Every time. So let’s talk about how to measure flour (and cocoa powder and oats)!
What’s the best way to measure flour?
Hands down, the absolute best way to measure any ingredient, including flour, is by weight. I bake with a kitchen scale because it is the best, most accurate way to bake. You get consistent, reliable results EVERY time. All my recipes are written by weight to give you precise, reliable, and delicious results. I highly recommend using a kitchen scale, like this one when you bake! Not only will you get better, more consistent results, but BONUS you also don’t dirty up as many dishes and measuring cups!
If you don’t have a kitchen scale, use the spoon and level method:
However, if you don’t have a kitchen scale (or you’re waiting for yours to come in the mail), I recommend using the spoon and level method to measure your flour. While it’s not as exact as weighing your ingredients, it will give you a much more accurate measurement than scooping with a measuring cup. All you need is a a few utensils and a measuring cup!
Which ingredients should I use the spoon and level method for?
- Flour (all kinds of flour: all-purpose, bread flour, cake flour, etc.)
- Cocoa powder
- Oats
How to use the spoon and level method:
- Loosen the flour in the cannister or bag by fluffing it with a fork. This breaks up any clumps or impacted areas of flour.
- Spoon the flour into your measuring cup until it’s full. Be sure not to pack down the flour or tap the bottom of the measuring cup on the counter. All you need to do is gently spoon the loosened flour into the cup until it’s full.
- Use the back of a knife to level off the flour. The flour should now be level with the top of your measuring cup. Be sure to do this over the cannister or bag of flour, not over your mixing bowl
How to Measure Flour: The Spoon and Level Method
Description
How to measure flour using the spoon and level method. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, the spoon and level method is the next best way to measure your flour correctly!
Ingredients
- Flour, cocoa powder, or oats
- Fork
- Measuring cup
- Spoon
- Knife
Instructions
- Loosen the flour in the cannister or bag by fluffing it with a fork. This breaks up any clumps or impacted areas of flour.
- Spoon the flour into your measuring cup until it’s full. Be sure not to pack down the flour or tap the bottom of the measuring cup on the counter. All you need to do is gently spoon the loosened flour into the cup until it’s full.
- Use the back of a knife to level off the flour. The flour should now be level with the top of your measuring cup. Be sure to do this over the cannister or bag of flour, not over your mixing bowl.
