Baking Basics Quiz

Measuring Ingredients in Baking

• 1 tablespoon (tbsp) equals 3 teaspoons (tsp).
• Avoid shaking the measuring cup when measuring flour to ensure accuracy.
• Baking powder is also referred to as sodium bicarbonate.
• Common types of sugar used in baking include white sugar and brown sugar.
• Measuring spoons are available specifically for dry and liquid ingredients.

Importance of Standard Measuring Procedures

• Accurate measurement is crucial to ensure consistent results in baking.
• Improper measuring can lead to incorrect ingredient ratios, affecting taste and texture.
• Understanding measuring techniques helps students develop better baking skills.

Key Ingredients in Baking

• Bread: A baked product consisting of flour, salt, liquid, and sometimes eggs.
• Dough: Mixture of flour, liquid, leavening agents, and other ingredients; becomes bread when baked.
• Gluten: Protein component that forms in flour when mixed with water, providing dough elasticity.
• Flour: A powdery substance made from grains, predominantly wheat, but also includes rice, corn, and root crops.

Definitions

• Accurate: Refers to using exact, accepted measuring tools.
• Measurement: The act of determining the specific amount of an ingredient.
• Substitution: Replacing one ingredient with another that has similar characteristics.
• Technique: Specific methods of performing baking tasks.

Measuring Tools and Units

• Common abbreviations for measurement units include:
  • tbsp: tablespoon
  • tsp: teaspoon
  • g: grams
  • c: cup
  • ml: milliliter
  • kg: kilogram
  • fl. oz: fluid ounce
  • l: liter
  • pt: pint
  • qt: quart
  • lb: pound
  • gal: gallon

Measurement Equivalents

• For tablespoon to teaspoon conversions:
  • 1 tbsp = 3 tsp
  • ¼ tbsp = ¾ tsp
  • ½ tbsp = 1½ tsp
• For cup to tablespoon conversions:
  • 1 cup = 16 tbsp
  • ½ cup = 8 tbsp
  • ¼ cup = 4 tbsp

Techniques for Measuring Flour

• Sifted Flour: Sift once, spoon lightly into the cup until overflowing, level with a spatula.
• Unsifted Flour: Spoon flour into the cup until it overflows without shaking, then level.
• Cornmeal: Stir lightly, then measure as unsifted flour.

Measuring Fats and Oils

• Solid Fats: Pack shortening, margarine, or butter into measuring cups, level with a spatula.
• Liquid Fats: Pour oil into a glass measuring cup to the indicated mark on a leveled surface.

Measuring Milk

• Dry Milk: Spoon powdered milk into the cup, level with a spatula without shaking.
• Liquid Milk: Pour into a glass measuring cup to the desired mark, ensuring cup is level.

Measuring Sugar

• White Sugar: Remove lumps and spoon into the cup until overflowing; level with a spatula.
• Brown Sugar: Pack into the measuring cup for an accurate measurement; level off.

Learning Objectives

• Identify baking ingredients along with their proper measuring techniques.
• Understand the significance of accurate ingredient selection and measurement in baking.
• Apply knowledge of baking measurements and techniques to follow recipes precisely.