Things to know about measuring

Correct measuring of your ingredients is definitely the key to success in baking. Not so much in cooking, although I would advise novice cooks to stick to their recipes as much as possible. As you become more confident in your abilities start experimenting and add your own personal touch to your favorite dishes.

You probably remember your mothers and grandmothers just adding a pinch of this and a dash of that, yet consistently turning out wonderful meals. I had an aunt who whipped up the most delicious desserts without the help of a single measuring cup or a kitchen scale. As a kid I used to spend hours sitting at the breakfast nook in her cozy kitchen, taking comfort in the warmth and sweet aroma coming from the oven. Propped up on a stack of catalogs (she was a loyal catalog shopper who graduated to online shopping in her eighties) I watched in awe as she beat a shiny yeast dough by hand and ultimately transformed it into a mouthwatering and fragrant apple strudel.

For those of us who don't have decades of baking or cooking experience, I have compiled a list of most commonly used ingredients and their equivalent amounts and measures.

EQUIVALENT AMOUNTS
1 lb all-purpose flour	4 cups, sifted
1 lb cake flour	4 3/4 - 5 cups, sifted
8 egg whites	1 cup
12-14 egg yolks	1 cup
1 lb butter	2 cups
1 stick butter	1/2 cup
1 lb sugar, brown	2 1/2 cups, packed
1 lb sugar, confectioners'	3 1/2 cups
1 lb sugar, granulated	2 cups
6 oz. chocolate chips	1 cup
1 oz. baking chocolate	1 square
1/2 lb cocoa	2 cups
7 oz. coconut	3 cups
1/2 lb (8 oz.) pecan halves	2 cups, chopped
1/2 lb (8oz.) walnut halves	2 cups, chopped
15 oz. pkg raisins	3 cups
14 graham crackers	1 cup crumbs
3 medium bananas	1 cup
juice of 1 lemon	2 tblsp.
juice of 1 orange	1/3 cup
6 oz dates	1 cup, chopped
1 medium apple	1 cup, chopped
1 qt. berries	3 1/2 cups
1 lb cranberries	4 cups
1 medium onion	1/2 cup chopped
2 medium ribs celery	1 cup, chopped
2 medium size ears of corn	1 cup kernels
1 large bell pepper	1 cup, chopped
3 medium tomatoes	1 lb
8 oz. uncooked spaghetti	4 cups, cooked
1 cup long grain rice	3 - 3 1/2 cups, cooked
1 cup quick oats, dry	1  3/4 cup cooked oatmeal
1 cup dry beans	2 1/4 cups, cooked
1/4 lb (4oz.) cheese	1 cup, grated
8 slices bacon, fried	1/2 cup bacon bits