Vegetable Korma
Mild vegetable korma with coconut, yoghurt and almonds
Dry cups vs liquid cups: the practical difference
Dry measuring cups are usually a set of nested cups with a flat rim. You fill them to the top and level off, which gives a consistent volume. Liquid measuring cups are typically a jug with a spout and headspace above the marked line, so you can pour without spilling. They are meant to be set on the counter and read at eye level. Using a liquid jug for flour encourages scooping and packing, while trying to measure liquids in a dry cup often leads to spills and guesswork. Some ingredients sit in between, such as yoghurt or peanut butter, where the best choice depends on how thick it is and how precise the recipe needs to be.
Top picks in Measuring cups
Chinese Red-Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou)
Tender red-braised pork belly in a glossy soy sauce
Crema di Semolino con Frutta (Semolina Porridge with Fresh Fruit)
Creamy semolina porridge with butter and mixed berries
Arroz con Pollo a la Mexicana (One-Pot Chicken and Rice)
One-pot chicken and rice with tomato, peas and sweetcorn
Peruvian Quinoa Soup (Highland Vegetable Soup)
Peruvian quinoa soup with vegetables and fresh coriander
Pastis (French Anise Aperitif with Water)
French pastis diluted with cold water until cloudy
Small habits that change the amount you measure
Packing is the big one. Flour can compact dramatically if you scoop with the cup, tap it, or store it tightly, which can make a bake dry and heavy. A common approach is to spoon flour into the cup and level it, rather than digging in. Brown sugar is the opposite: many recipes expect it to be packed, so “loosely filled” can under-sweeten and change texture. With sticky ingredients, coating the cup lightly with oil or using a flexible spatula to scrape can help you get closer to the intended amount. Finally, check that you are using the correct cup size from the set; it is easy to grab the wrong one when they are stacked.
All recipes in Measuring cups
Latin-Style Spicy Black Bean Rice Bowl with Avocado and Lime
Chipotle black beans over rice with sweetcorn, avocado, lime and coriander
Latin American Rice Pudding with Cinnamon, Citrus Zest and Raisins
Latin American-style rice pudding with condensed milk, cinnamon, orange zest and raisins
Khanom Sai Sai (Steamed Coconut Dumplings)
Soft steamed dumplings made with coconut milk and filled with coconut and palm sugar
Gyudon (Beef and Onion Rice Bowl)
Gyudon with tender beef and onion in dashi over sushi rice
Masala Chai (Stovetop Indian Spiced Tea)
Masala chai simmered with black tea, milk, sugar and whole spices, then strained hot
Spiced Chickpea Bowl (Chana Masala with Basmati Rice)
Thick, spiced chickpeas simmered with tomatoes and onion, finished with lemon and coriander
Greek Citrus Iced Tea
Greek-style iced tea flavoured with orange, lemon and honey, finished with fresh mint
Wildstoof met Jenever (Dutch Game Stew with Gin and Juniper)
Dutch wildstoof simmered with vegetables, beef stock and gin until rich and tender
When cups are enough, and when to consider a scale
Measuring cups are useful for quick, low-fuss cooking, and they are often the default in recipes written by volume. They are less reliable when ingredients vary in density, especially flour, grated cheese, chopped nuts and cocoa. If you bake often, a digital scale can remove a lot of uncertainty and reduces washing-up because you can weigh into one bowl. That said, you can still get consistent results with cups by using the same method each time and paying attention to how ingredients are filled, levelled and scraped. The key is not switching techniques mid-recipe.
Where to look next
If you are choosing recipes by how exact the measuring needs to be, Difficulty can be a helpful companion: some bakes are sensitive to small changes, while many everyday dishes are forgiving. Cooking method also adds context, because baking and confectionery tend to reward precision more than simmering a sauce or assembling a salad.
Medium
Focaccia Barese with Olives and Cherry Tomatoes
Olive oil focaccia topped with cherry tomatoes and olives
Easy
Modern Menemen Shakshuka (Baked Eggs with Spiced Tomatoes)
Baked eggs in spiced tomatoes with peppers and feta
Easy
Hummus Platter with Spiced Olive Oil, Pitta and Vegetables
Hummus platter with spiced olive oil, pitta and vegetables
Medium
Manakish Board (Za’atar Flatbreads with Feta, Cucumber and Olives)
Warm manakish with za’atar, feta, cucumber, tomato and olives
Roast
Kalkoenrollade Kerst (Dutch Christmas Turkey Roll)
Turkey roll with herby breadcrumb stuffing and light gravy
Steam
Café au Lait (French Milk Coffee)
Strong coffee combined with hot, lightly frothy milk
Pan fry
Gorditas de Nata (Griddled Cream Pastries)
Tender griddled pastries made with cream and lightly sweetened dough
Boil
Biff Lindström (Swedish Beef Patties with Beetroot)
Swedish beef patties with beetroot, capers and onion
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same measuring cup for dry and liquid ingredients?
You can, but it is easier to be accurate with the right style of cup. Dry cups are meant to be levelled; liquid cups are meant to be read at eye level with headspace for pouring.
Should I scoop flour with the measuring cup?
Scooping often compacts flour. Many cooks get more consistent results by spooning flour into the cup and levelling it off.
Do I need to pack brown sugar?
Many recipes that specify brown sugar by cup assume it is packed, because it is naturally clumpy and compressible. If a recipe wants it loose, it will often say so.
Why does my baking change even when I measure?
Volume measures are sensitive to how ingredients are filled and levelled, and to ingredient density. Using the same technique each time improves repeatability.
Are measuring cups universal?
Cup measures vary by region and recipe source. If a recipe provides weights, using a scale avoids that mismatch.
Aim for consistency first
Use dry cups for fill-and-level ingredients and a liquid jug for pourable ones, then stick to the same measuring habits from start to finish. That consistency is what makes recipes repeatable.
