Measuring Equivalents - Baking Pan Substitutions

Have you ever found yourself stuck trying to calculate measuring equivalents for a recipe or come up with a baking pan substitution while in the middle of cookin' up something tasty in the kitchen?

Here are some lists and links with conversions that you can print and post on your refrigerator, bulletin board or tuck between the pages of your favorite cookbook and keep a copy in a waterproof, zip-pouch baggie with your camping gear.

Make it a fun learning experience for your kids to learn equivalents and substitutions.

Measuring Equivalents

• 16 tablespoons = 1 cup
  
• 12 tablespoons = 3/4 cup
  
• 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons = 2/3 cup
  
• 8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup
  
• 6 tablespoons = 3/8 cup
  
• 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 1/3 cup
  
• 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup
  
• 2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup
  
• 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons = 1/6 cup
  
• 1 tablespoon = 1/16 cup
  
• 2 cups = 1 pint
  
• 2 pints = 1 quart
  
• 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
  
• 48 teaspoons = 1 cup
• 8 fluid ounces = 1 cup
• 1 pint = 2 cups
• 1 quart = 2 pints
• 4 cups = 1 quart
• 1 gallon = 4 quarts
• 16 ounces = 1 pound

More information on weights and measures:

1. Bedrock Press: a variety of Culinary Weights and Measures and Conversions.
2. Epicurious: a Metric Food Measurement Converter of recipe ingredients.
3. Gourmet Sleuth: a Gram Conversion Calculator and a Cooking Conversion Calculator that converts weights, volumes, metric, U.S. and U.K. for over 7000 food items.
4. Fact Monster (terrific resource for kids): Cooking Measurement Equivalents with a conversion calculator and much more.

Baking Pan Substitutions

• 10" x 3-1/2" Bundt = two 8" x 2" Rounds
• 10" x 2" Round = 9" x 9" x 2" Square
• Standard 12-Cup Muffin Tin = 8-1/2" x 4-1/2" x 2-1/2" Loaf = 9" x 1-1/2" Round = 8" x 8" x 1-1/2" Square
• 9" x 2" Round = two 8" x 1-1/2" Rounds = 10" x 15" x 1" Jelly Roll = 8" x 8" x 2" Square
  

A Spoon Full Of...

I had some extra corn grits left over from making polenta the other night, so I whipped up a batch of some good old-fashioned spoon bread and let it bake while I was working late from my home office. It turned out light, fluffy and was incredibly delicious, especially serving it up hot right out of the oven dripping with butter. Here's the recipe I used:

Good Old-Fashioned Spoon Bread


Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup boiling water
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 

Directions:

Combine cornmeal and sea salt in a mixing bowl. Stirring constantly, gradually add the boiling water, and keeping smooth, stir in the melted butter. In a small mixing bowl, beat eggs until pale in color and thick. Add the milk and beat to combine. Add the milk and egg mixture to the cornmeal mixture along with the baking powder. With an electric hand-held mixer or whisk beat to blend thoroughly. Turn the mixture into a generously greased 8-inch square glass baking dish or 1-1/2-quart round or oval casserole or oven proof bowl. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes, until it is set and lightly browned. Serve the spoon bread hot, with plenty of real butter. Serves 4 to 6. Gluten-Free!

Cook Around the Block Tip:

Let's say you are somewhere without access to measuring cups for some reason, like backpacking with limited cooking equipment, but you have measuring spoons or a tablespoon or teaspoon-size eating utensil. Here are the cooking measurement equivalents for following a recipe calling for cup-size portions of ingredients. Print this out, laminate it and store it in your travel gear or with your camping supplies:

• 16 tablespoons = 1 cup
  
• 12 tablespoons = 3/4 cup
  
• 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons = 2/3 cup
  
• 8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup
  
• 6 tablespoons = 3/8 cup
  
• 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 1/3 cup
  
• 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup
  
• 2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup
  
• 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons = 1/6 cup
  
• 1 tablespoon = 1/16 cup
  
• 2 cups = 1 pint
  
• 2 pints = 1 quart
  
• 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
  
• 48 teaspoons = 1 cup