I don’t know whether you’ve already heard this before or not, but here it goes again – “Baking is a Math”. Yes, it is and the reason this saying goes the way it does is because, when you bake, you need to get your ratios right.
One thing, before we get started, is that most baking ratios are based on weight. That’s because baking by weight gives you more precision and consistency. To keep things short and sweet, baking ratios are broken down into “parts.” These parts describe how much you need of each basic ingredient (like eggs, liquid, and flour) and they must all be measured in the same unit of measurement. The easiest way to measure for each part is by weight, so you’ll want to haul out your kitchen scale; especially since weighing your baking ingredients is more accurate than using measuring cups.
Here are a few commonly used baking ratios you need to know:
1. Pound Cake – 1:1:1:1
The 1:1:1:1 cake, more often called the pound cake is basically an “equal ratio” cake.
It is easy to make even if you are a new baker, because all you need is equal parts of your main ingredients – 1 part of flour, 1 part of eggs, 1 part of butter or oil and 1 part of sugar.
So for example you’re using 150 grams of flour, then you will need 150 grams of all the other main ingredients (butter, sugar and eggs), along with 1 ½ teaspoon of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
2. Bread – 5:3
A simple ratio to make the bread easy and versatile. The 4 main ingredients to making bread are flour, water, salt, and yeast. The additional ingredients include oil, butter, sugar, honey, milk, eggs and many other ingredients brings different textures and flavors.
For a simple bread recipe you will need – 300 grams of flour, 180 grams water, 6 grams salt and 3 grams yeast. To the main ingredients you can also add 18 grams butter and 9 grams sugar.
Quick Bread
Be it blueberry bread, banana bread or even just plain bread, making bread at home is super easy and not many know this!
If you consider the ratio for quick bread as 2 parts of flour, 2 parts of milk (or any other liquid), 1 part of egg and 1 part of butter, for your main ingredients, trust me, your bread will turn out soft and amazing.
Along with these main ingredients, you will need to add in sugar, a teaspoon of baking powder, a pinch of salt, some chopped nuts (optional) and some chopped dried berries (optional).
3. Pie Dough or Pie Crust – 3:2:1
Have you sometimes dug into a delicious pie only to find that your pie crust has become soggy? Well, you can say goodbye to soggy pie crusts and here’s how.
Your baking ratio will need to be 3 parts of flour, 2 parts of butter and 1 part of water. Use this ratio in addition to salt and a couple of tablespoons of sugar. For a simple pie crust recipe – You can use 600 grams All purpose flour, 400 grams butter, lard, shortening or combo, 200 grams ice cold water, 1 tsp salt and 2 tbsp sugar.
4. Crepe – 2:2:1
Crepes are delicate, thin pancakes that are popular in France. They are irresistibly soft, delicious, and buttery. A simple crepe ratio turns out to be 2:2:1 – 2 parts liquid, 2 parts egg and 1 part flour
For a simple crepe, you will need – 8 ounce eggs ( 4 large eggs), 8 ounce milk and 4 ounce flour. For sweet crepes you can add in 1 tablespoon of sugar and also 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
5. Pasta Dough – 3:2
A perfect pasta ratio is three parts flour mixed with 2 parts egg. Weigh the eggs first which allows you to determine how much flour you will need.
You will need – 300 grams all purpose flour and 3 large eggs. Add in ½ teaspoon salt and ½ tablespoon olive oil.
6. Cookie Dough – 1:2:3
We all look cookies, don’t we? Well, at least most of us do, right? So, in my opinion, the best cookies and soft and semi-gooey.
For the perfect cookies, the ratio you will require to use is – 3 parts of flour, 2 parts of butter and 1 part of sugar. To this ratio, add in egg, vanilla extract and salt. Combine to make the perfect cookie dough.
For a simple cookie dough crust recipe – add 2 ounces sugar, 4 ounces butter and 6 ounces flour. To this add in egg and vanilla extract.
7. Scone – 3:2:1
Make rich, flaky homemade scones with a tender crumb texture that uses a simple recipe ratio – 3 parts flour, 2 parts liquid and 1 part fat.
For classic cream scones recipe, use – 250 grams plain flour, 125 grams heavy cream, 85 grams butter. To this, add in – 1 large egg, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/4 cup sugar and salt.
8. Muffins – 2:2:1:1
Muffins are one of my all-time favourite tea time, all-time things to munch on. They are light (as compared to cupcakes) and can keep you satiated as well.
To make your muffins perfect, you will need to use the ratio – 2 parts of flour, 2 parts of milk, 1 part of eggs and 1 part of butter, for your main ingredients. Along with these main ingredients, you will need to add in 2 teaspoons of baking powder, a pinch of salt and 2/3 cup of sugar.
9. Biscuits
Unlike cookies, which are soft, biscuits are crunchy and must always have a nice snap to it when cut. Eating soft biscuits is the worst thing ever, right?
For the perfect biscuit ratio, you will need to use 3 parts of flour, 2 parts of milk and 1 part of butter and this is it! It is literally the recipe (with no additions).
Yes, making biscuits is that easy after all!
10. Pancakes – 2:2:1
To make the perfect pancake recipe, follow this ratio – 2 parts liquid : 1 part egg : ½ part butter : 2 parts flour. By using this ratio you can adjust the amount according to how many people you want to feed.
You will need – 8 ounce flour, 8 ounce milk, 2 large eggs, 2 ounce butter. For this add in 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
11. Brownies – 2:1:1:1
Ready to bake some for yourself? I recommend that you try this easiest Chocolate Brownie Recipe which includes 2 parts sugar, 1 part flour, 1part egg and 1 part fat.
You will need – 2 cups sugar, 1 cup unsalted butter, 4 large eggs and 1 cup all purpose flour. To this add in 6 oz unsweetened chocolate, 1 tsp vanilla and 1/4 tsp salt.
12. Popover – 3:1:1
A popover is a light roll made from an egg batter, baked in a special pan. The basic popover ratio is 1 part egg 2 parts milk and 1 part flour by weight.
You will need – 2 ounce milk, 1 ounce flour, 1 ounce eggs. To this add in butter and salt.
13. Biscuits – 3:2:1
Homemade biscuits are as easy as 1-2-3 and to make the basic biscuit recipe, that’s all you have to remember. A easy homemade biscuit recipe requires – 3 parts flour, 2 parts liquid and 1 part fat.
Try this delicious biscuits recipe – 250 grams flour, 175 ml whole milk, 85 grams of butte. To this add in – 1 Tablespoon baking powder, 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon salt.
