How to Use the Spoon and Level Method for Measuring Flour
Properly measuring flour is a skill not many home cooks have mastered, and it can make a big difference in your baked goods. If you’re tired of your cookies and breads coming out dry and crumbly or flat and dense, it’s time to learn How to Properly Measure Flour with the Spoon and Level Method!
There is nothing more frustrating than following a recipe perfectly only to have it turn out dry and crumbly or dull and flat–and never reaching the consistency you’ve seen others achieve.
The problem is likely your flour. Measuring flour isn’t difficult, but it is very easy to mess up and if you were never taught the proper way to measure flour you’ve probably gotten it wrong a lot.
Don’t be discouraged! You are not alone in this struggle and today we’re going back to Baking 101 for a lesson on how to truly, properly measure flour using the Spoon and Level Method so your recipes turn out perfect every time!
Measuring by Weight vs Volume
The ultimate, best way to measure flour is by weight. In most countries, recipes list a weight for the measurement.
In the US, in an attempt to keep things simple, we’ve adopted the practice of measuring by volume, using cups. The trouble is there are several different ways to get the flour into the cup and which method you choose actually does make a difference!
Too much flour will make your dish dry while too little will make it fall flat. Even a tablespoon too much or too little can make a big impact.
It is important to note that different bakers and recipes may consider a cup of flour to be a different weight than others, but in general a cup of flour should weigh between 120 and 140 grams.
If you don’t own a digital scale, it is still possible to achieve nearly perfect measurements of flour. There are several different methods for measuring flour so let’s talk about all of them.
The Correct Way to Measure Flour by Volume
Spoon and Level
Spoon and level is the best method for measuring by volume. With this method you fluff the flour with a spoon, spoon it into your measuring cup and then use the back of a butter knife or a straight edge to level the top of your scoop.
With this method, you are getting air into your flour when you scoop and keeping it light and fluffy even as you level it off.
With this method, my scoop weighed 140 grams.
Different publications use different weight measurements for flour. For example, King Arthur’s Baking uses 120 grams as the standard weight for 1 cup of flour, whereas America’s Test Kitchen uses 140 grams as their standard weight of 1 cup.
In multiple tests, my 1 cup of flour averaged 140 grams, so this is what I use as my standard in my kitchen.
Incorrect Ways to Measure Flour by Volume
Scoop and Shake
The most common, and the most incorrect, is to scoop flour into a measuring cup and shake or knock the edge until your scoop is level.
This is the way most people have seen measuring flour done, and it is the easiest thing to do, so it gets passed down through generations.
The problem is that when you simply plunge a measuring cup into your flour and scoop, you’ll end up scooping compacted flour into your scoop and then compact it further by shaking out any excess air in an attempt to level it.
This method leads to too much flour in your scoop. When I tried this method my scoop ended up weighing 164 grams.
Scoop and Level
The scoop and level method is a step in the right direction. This method involves scooping flour from a dish with your measuring cup and then using a knife or another straight edge to level the top of the scoop.
This method allows some air to get into your scoop of flour, because you’re not shaking it out when you level the scoop, but you still run the risk of scooping compacted flour in the first place.
When I gave this method a try, my flour weighed 152 grams.
Spoon and Shake
Spoon and shake is when you spoon your flour into your measuring cup and then shake your measuring cup to level it off.
You should use a spoon to get your flour into your measuring cup. Fluffing your flour up with a spoon before you measure it ensures your flour is not compacted.
The trouble with this method is you’re still compacting your flour when you shake it to level it.
With this method my scoop weighed 154 grams.
Top Tips for Measuring Flour
To put things simply, there are a few basic tips you should follow when measuring flour.
- Stir or Fluff: You should always stir or fluff your flour before scooping it out of your container. As it sits, it loses air and becomes compacted. Giving it a good stir will ensure it has the proper balance of flour and air.
- Spoon not Scoop: It’s a good idea to use a spoon to scoop your flour into your measuring cup, rather than using your measuring cup to scoop your flour. Again, it’s all about making your flour light and fluffy, while still filling your entire measuring cup.
- Level: It’s never a good idea to shake or tap your measuring cup to achieve a level scoop. Use the back of a butter knife to sweep the excess flour from the top of your scoop.
- Weigh: If you have the option, weighing your flour is the best way to measure it. A digital kitchen scale may be more affordable than you think and comes in handy when your goal is baking perfection!
Make sure to use this method when making any of the cookie recipes on my site, including my Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies, these Peanut Butter Cookies, my Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting, and this Chocolate Cupcake Recipe, along with all other recipes on my site that use flour!
