For the flour, should we go by the weight or volume?

Question

The recipe states, “2 cups (272 grams) all-purpose flour.”

One cup of flour, fluffed, poured into one cup and leveled, is generally about 120g. Two cups about 240g. 272g closer to 2 1/4 cups.

Should we go by the weight (272g) or the volume 2 cups, fluffed, poured, leveled?

AntoniaJames · Answer

Thanks so much for reporting back!  Feedback from people who ask questions here makes all the difference in the world. (Now, I want one of those cookies . . . . .) ;o)

Thelma L. · Answer

Thank you for the replies! I went with weight and they are delicious!

AntoniaJames · Answer

drbabs is right! I'd note that there is a surprising variation in the mass to volume ratios of flour, depending on the cook and the method of measuring they use. When I did a quick survey of Food52 test-kitchen-approved recipes that included mass measures, I found a cup of flour could range from 120 to 144 grams.  This one falls on the high end.  ;o)

drbabs · Answer

I think people who write recipes these days include volume for those who don’t have a scale.  But if you have a scale, use it. Your results will be more consistent.

drbabs · Answer

Weight

For the flour, should we go by the weight or volume?

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