5 Mistakes to Avoid When Measuring Flour for Bread
Sneak Peek: The way you measure flour can make or break your bread. If you scoop straight from the bag, you might be adding too much—resulting in dry, dense loaves. Learn the five biggest mistakes people make when measuring flour and how to fix them.
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Do you know what a “scooper” is? Hint: It has nothing to do with walking a dog. Don’t be ashamed if you don’t know or you are one. I’ll admit to using a measuring cup to reach into the flour canister or bag and directly filling the cup when I’m in a hurry. That’s a “scooper.”
Does it matter how you measure flour for a bread recipe?
Measuring flour might seem simple, but if you’ve ever baked a loaf that turned out too dense or dry, you know how much it matters. Adding just a tablespoon or two more than necessary can throw off your entire bread recipe.
Happy Bakers Speak Up
I messaged you a while back wondering if you had a “fix” for my bread that kept falling during baking and leaving a well in the loaf. You had several ideas that could be happening including too much flour being added. You suggested that I get a kitchen scale to measure the amount of flour I was using. I purchased one and my problem has been solved! 1 to 2 tablespoons really does make a huge difference. Beautiful loaf every time now. I would never have guessed that small amount of flour could make such a big difference. Thank you so much! —CAROLE H.
Let’s talk about five common mistakes people make when measuring flour for bread—and what to do instead.
1. Scooping Flour Directly from the Bag
Grabbing a measuring cup and scooping straight from the flour bag or canister seems convenient, but it packs too much flour into the cup. That extra flour results in dry, dense bread.
✅ Better Method: Follow these steps to measure flour accurately and avoid dry, dense bread:
1️⃣ Fluff the Flour First – Use a fork (best choice), spoon, or scoop to stir the flour before measuring. Fluffing helps prevent packed flour, which can lead to adding too much.
2️⃣ Lightly Spoon the Flour – Instead of scooping, gently spoon the flour into a dry measuring cup until slightly overflowing.
3️⃣ Level It Off Correctly – Use the straight edge of a knife to delicately scrape off excess flour. Do not pat, shake, or tap the cup—flour should never be packed.
📌 Paula’s Kitchen Hacks📌
💡 Keep a Fork Handy – Store a fork in your flour bag or canister so it’s always there for fluffing before measuring.
💡 Use a Large Canister – A roomy flour container makes it easier to measure without knocking flour over the sides. Restaurant supply stores often sell affordable, large plastic containers.
💡 Avoid Messy Counters – Using a bigger container helps prevent spills while filling your measuring cup.
2. Using the Wrong Measuring Cup
A coffee mug, liquid measuring cup, or random kitchen cup won’t give you an accurate measurement. Even standard dry measuring cups vary slightly, leading to inconsistent results.
✅ Better Method: Always use a proper dry measuring cup designed for baking. A scale is even more foolproof.
3. Don’t Overlook the Accuracy and Convenience of a Digital Kitchen Scale
You may have heard that weighing flour is the best way to measure it for bread making—and it’s true. If you want consistent, reliable results without years of trial and error, a digital kitchen scale (paid link) is a game-changer.
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Beyond accuracy, using a scale is incredibly convenient. No need to fluff, spoon, or level—just weigh and go! Also, you won’t have lots of dirty measuring cups to wash when you’re done.
✅ How to Measure Flour with a Scale
- Set your scale to the correct unit (grams or ounces, depending on the recipe).
- Place your bread machine pan or mixing bowl on the scale.
- Press the “tare” button to zero out the weight.
- Weigh all ingredients in the pan on top of a scale with the exception of small amounts (teaspoons or 1-2 tablespoons) which don’t always measure accurately with a kitchen scale. Press the “tare” button after every addition.
- Scoop flour directly into the pan or bowl on top of the other ingredients until you reach the specified weight.
This may seem awkward the first time or two, but once you get used to it (and make a habit of pressing the “tare” button after every addition) you’ll find it to be quite a time-saver in addition to being more accurate.
4. Sifting Flour Before Measuring
Sifting flour increases its volume, which means you could end up using too little. For bread, this can make your dough too wet or sticky.
✅ Better Method: Fluff the flour with a fork, but don’t sift it before measuring unless the recipe specifically calls for it.
5. Wearing Black While Measuring Flour
Okay, this one won’t ruin your bread, but it might ruin your outfit! Flour has a way of getting everywhere, especially on dark clothes.
✅ Better Method: Wear an apron, or embrace the flour-dusted baker look. 🤪
FAQ About Measuring Flour
1. What if my recipe only lists cup measurements?
Flour weights vary depending on the source. Some say 1 cup of all-purpose flour weighs 120 grams, others 128 grams, and some even higher. The key is to follow the measurement system used by the recipe’s author. If weights aren’t provided, be prepared to adjust your dough based on texture and hydration. Read more about how to do this when using a bread machine.
2. Is the “scoop-and-sweep” method reliable?
The scoop-and-sweep method (where you dip a measuring cup into the flour and level it off) can lead to different results depending on how compact the flour is. If you’re not using a scale, the most accurate way to measure flour is by fluffing it first, then spooning it into the measuring cup before leveling.
Final Thoughts
I know there are some cultures and some cooks who rarely measure anything. But please hear me on this.
You are more likely to experience success with homemade bread when you get serious about measuring accurately. A couple of glugs of liquid, a dump of flour, and a few pinches of salt, sugar, and yeast may yield an unexpected surprise unless you have years of bread-making experience under your belt.
Learn More About Making Fantastic Bread with a Bread Machine
- How to Use a Bread Machine for Homemade Bread
- Crusty French Bread (Bread Machine Method)
- 6 Bread Machine Secrets You Need to Know
Questions? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon!
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.