13
Making a Successful Dough
Measuring Ingredients
Careful and correct measurement of all
ingredients is essential for recipe success
(particularly when baking). Australian
Standard Metric cup and spoon measures are
used in all recipes in the book. All cup and
spoon measurements should be level.
• One metric tablespoon is equal to 20mls.
• One metric teaspoon is equal to 5mls.
• One liquid cup measurement is equal to
250mls.
• All eggs used in our recipes are extra large
(59g) eggs, unless otherwise specified.
The following are some hints on measuring
ingredients.
When measuring wet ingredients,
always
use a measuring jug or if measuring small
quantities, use a standard metric measuring
spoon. Place the measuring jug on a level
surface and check the measurement at eye
level.
When measuring dry ingredients,
always use a
standard metric measuring cup or standard
metric measuring spoon. Shake gently to
ensure there are no air pockets and level the
surface with a knife or metal spatula. Never
tap the cup on the bench or pack in the
ingredients (unless specified); this will give
an inaccurate measurement.
Note:
crush any lumps, particularly in
bicarbonate of soda or sugar before
measuring.
When measuring other ingredients,
always
weigh in grams using metric scales. To
ensure an accurate reading, always remember
to “tare” the scales back to zero with the
empty container before adding any food.
Tips for substituting Ingredients
• Unsalted butter is best for cake baking,
however it can be substituted with salted
butter or margarine if necessary. Margarine
may slightly alter the texture of the final
result.
• Self raising flour = plain flour + baking
powder (1 cup self raising flour = 1 cup
plain flour + 2 teaspoons baking powder)
• 1 cup plain flour + 1 teaspoon baking
powder = ½ cup plain flour + ½ cup self
raising flour
• When substituting wheat flour with gluten
free flour, the best results are usually
achieved in recipes that have a small
amount of flour.
• Commercial baking powders can contain
wheat starch. If you are allergic to wheat,
you can make you own. Baking powder
= 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda + 2
teaspoons cream of tartar
• Icing sugar mixture can contain wheat
starch (this prevents it going lumpy). If you
have a gluten intolerance, pure icing sugar
can be used instead.
• Sultanas can be substituted with equal
measure of another dried fruit (best if they
are chopped to size).
• Golden syrup can be substituted with equal
measure of treacle or molasses
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup fresh milk + 2
teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice.
• Milk can be substituted with soy milk. It
can sometimes also be replaced with fruit
juice acting as the liquid component.
• 7g dry yeast (1 sachet) = 15g compressed
yeast
