How Does it Measure Up?

Have you ever been in the middle of baking and realize you're not sure how to convert measurements? I'm a child of the '60's which was pre-metric system. Ask me how much a liter is and I'll look you with a puzzled look on my face. I thought this blog would come in handy as we continue our holiday baking. Humor me, make extra cookies this year, and share, "cheer and goodwilltablespoonreal towards men".

Let's start with cooking measurement equivalents:

1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (tsp)

1/16 of a cup = 1 tablespoon

1/8 of a cup = 2 tablespoon

1/6 of a cup = 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons

1/4 of a cup = 4 tablespoons

1/3 of a cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon

3/8 of a cup = 6 tablespoons

1/2 of a cup = 8 tablespoons

2/3 of a cup = 10 tablesp9oons + 2 teaspoons

3/4 of a cup = 12 tablespoons

1 cup = 48 teaspoons

1 cup = 16 tablespoons

I always had to pause when a recipe called for 1/2 cup of butter, then I realized that equals one stick of butter.

Let's look at the conversations for liquid:

8 fluid ounces = 1 cup

1 pint = 2 cups

1 quart = 2 pints or 4 cups

1 gallon = 4 quarts

16 ounces = 1 pound (lb)

1 milliliter = 1 cubic centimeter

1 inch = 2.54 centimeters

Substitutions for common items:

Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon baking powder = ¼ teaspoon baking soda + ½ teaspoon cream of tartar + ¼ teaspoon cornstarch

1 cup salted butter = 1 cup vegetable shortening + ½ teaspoon salt

Buttermilk: 1 cup buttermilk = 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup. Let stand for 5 minutes. You also can use 1 cup of plain yogurt (not Greek)

Cake Flour: 1 cup cake flour = ¾ cup sifted all-purpose flour + 2 tablespoons cornstarch

My favorite subs for an egg:

1 egg = ¼ cup applesauce

1 egg = 1 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water (GF and Dairy Free - Vegan)

1 egg = ¼ cup silken tofu pureed (no really tofu, it works great)

1 egg = 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (did you know you can make a box cake mix with mayo?)

1 egg = ½ banana mashed with ½ teaspoon baking powder (you don't taste the banana)

Sour Cream - plain yogurt

Vegetable oil - 1 cup vegetable oil = 1 cup applesauce ( convert my recipes to healthy ones by using applesauce)

Do you have a substitution that you use when baking? Share it with us in the comment section.

HAPPY BAKING!