Is there a difference between liquid and dry measuring cups

I see people on TV using one set of measuring cups for liquids and another set for dry ingredients like flour and sugar. Is that really necessary?

Liquid and dry ingredients are measured with different types of measuring cups. Learn why the right tool for the job matters. Baking is a science. It takes just the right amount flour, sugar, eggs and heat to make your baked goods rise to perfection and have good texture. This is why measuring your ingredients correctly is essential to most recipes. Many people are not aware that liquid measuring cups and dry measuring cups differ. A dry measuring cup can be leveled off when measuring dry ingredients only.

Is there a difference between liquid and dry measuring cups

I am going out on a limb here and estimating that at least 4 out of every 10 homes now only has 1 set of measuring cups. And this one set is used to measure both dry and liquid ingredients… right? Well wait…. Dry measuring cups are meant to be filled right up to the top and then leveled off with a straight edge. Well, let me explain. Now, imagine trying to level out flour or rice in a liquid measuring cup. One dry cup is equal to 1. Now this may not be that much of a difference in cooking but in baking it can make a world of difference? When measuring, the line for the liquid cup is under the the top of the cup right before the spout. For the dry measuring cup the line is the top of the cup. Liquid ingredients are poured in and filled to the appropriate lines.

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Does it really matter how you measure it or which measuring cup you grab out of your kitchen cabinet? Actually, yes. How you measure that matters, too. Most of us have an arsenal of different measuring cups in our kitchens, but which ones should we use? As it turns out, each type of measuring cup was specifically designed to measure different ingredients with greater accuracy, giving us the ability to confidently whip up a batch of perfectly baked Homemade Brownies or a no-fail Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.

Measure for measure, there's nothing more key. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. As a semi-regular home baker and longtime cookbook editor, I get loads of questions from friends about baking. I am surprised, however, when those same friends report back that the recipe turned out just alright. How could that be, I wonder, when I've made the same recipe dozens of times. The poor recipe usually gets blamed, but what I've come to conclude, over years of watching cooks in their home kitchens, is that it's mostly the result of faulty measuring. Other factors include wonky oven temperatures and strange substitutions, but inaccurate measuring is the biggest culprit.

Is there a difference between liquid and dry measuring cups

I see people on TV using one set of measuring cups for liquids and another set for dry ingredients like flour and sugar. Is that really necessary? Liquid measuring cups and dry measuring cups have one big thing in common: They hold the same volume. A 1-cup liquid measuring cup and a 1-cup dry measuring cup, for example, both equal 16 tablespoons.

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As it turns out, each type of measuring cup was specifically designed to measure different ingredients with greater accuracy, giving us the ability to confidently whip up a batch of perfectly baked Homemade Brownies or a no-fail Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. If a recipe calls for an ounce amount of a liquid, you can measure it in a liquid measuring cup. Redeem a Digital Gift Membership. How to Accurately Measure Ingredients Of course, for the most accurate measurements, a kitchen scale is the best option. Transparency in Coverage. More How To Signup to join my FREE newsletter for recipes, tips and more. Using a dry measuring cup to measure wet ingredients. This could lead to spillages and incorrect measurements. Shop smarter with our ATK Reviews team's expert guides and recommendations.

So, a fairly typical question bakers ask is whether it is necessary to have different cups for measuring liquid ingredients, as opposed to solid ingredients. However, they are each specifically designed to best measure each type of ingredient, whether liquid or dry.

She really went out on a limb for you. I am going out on a limb here and estimating that at least 4 out of every 10 homes now only has 1 set of measuring cups. Related Articles. Tell us why! Digital Membership. For example, when measuring flour, a dry measuring cup lets you portion out the exact amount that you need. I then weighed it on my scale. Cooking, on the other hand, is a little more forgiving. I measured 1 cup of flour with my dry measure by dipping and leveling off. But how they are measured needs to be different due to their differing physical properties.