Follow these fool-proof tips to fluff up all your homemade muffins, cookies and quickbreads!
It may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes the little things we do (and don’t do) in the kitchen can make a huge difference! Flour is the delicate fairy dust of baking, and it needs aeration to work best in your recipes. Believe it or not, many home-bakers over-pack their flour without intending to, resulting in muffins and cakes that are flat and heavy instead of tall and light.
So how do we get from flat to fluffy?! Here are our top do’s and don’ts when measuring out flour for basic cookies, muffins, cakes, and quick breads:
Flour Do’s:
- Fluff up your flour with a large spoon prior to measuring it out. Make sure you get to the bottom of the bag where the flour may have gotten packed down while sitting in the pantry.
- Gently fill your measuring cup with heaping spoonfuls of flour until you reach the measuring line as closely as you can, and level the top, or scrape off any excess, with a butter knife.
Flour Dont’s:
- Never shake or tap your measuring cup to even out your flour. It will cause settling and you may end up using way more than you need.
- Fight the temptation to dip your measuring cup into the bag of flour, as it also tends to pack it down.
Now it’s time to tackle that oven and revisit your favorite feel-good recipes! We hope you savor the fluffy results! *
*Of course, if you or the kids like your baked goods a little denser, adding more flour is the way to go. Experiment and enjoy!
