Though I’ve been blogging for some time, I only recently discovered the magic of measuring flour.
Measuring the flour in a recipe is imperative to good baking, and it makes such a difference in how recipes turn out!
With cooking, adding a dash of this or that does not greatly impact the final product. With baking, however, accuracy and precision are key!
How do you measure flour?
The two primary methods of measuring flour are by volume (cups) and weight (grams or ounces).
Many recipes simply give a cup measurement, while others give a weighted amount, typically measured in grams. The best sites will give both of these, allowing a better picture for all readers of how much flour is needed.
How many grams of flour equals one cup?
The answer to this is highly dependent on 1) how the flour is measured, and 2) the type of flour is being used.
The two primary ways to measure flour are to 1) scoop and level or 2) sift, spoon, and level. The latter is considered the ‘correct’ way to measure, though this is what one cup, or 120 grams, of bread flour looks like.
The type of flour being used is also important. Here are a few examples of how flours differ. Each measurement is based on the packaging information for one cup of flour.
Oat flour - 90 grams
Bread flour - 120 grams
Whole wheat flour - 140-150 grams
Almond flour - 98 grams
Bob’s Red Mill 1-To-1 Baking Flour - 148 grams
Teff flour - 188 grams
Brown rice flour - 120 grams
You can see why it isn’t easy to swap one flour for another in recipes.
Why measuring flour by weight is so important
Being precise in baking ensures the recipe will have the best taste, texture, and appearance possible.
A cookie recipe calling for one cup of flour will be measured differently, depending on how the cookie maker packs the flour into a measuring cup.
In contrast, a cookie recipe calling for 120 grams of flour will be measured the same by all.
That said, I truly think every baker should own a digital kitchen scale. I’ve owned the linked one for over 10 years now, making it a wise investment for $10. It has revolutionized my baking!
Recipes to try
I’m still in the process of going back through my old recipes to add weighted amounts, but I have a few favorites you can try now!
Barley Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies (Goslin family favorite!)
Do you all measure your flour? What are your best baking tips?