Have you noticed the discrepancies in the weight of one cup of flour from one recipe to another?

For example, take a look at these popular sources for recipes and what they consider to be the weight of one cup of flour.

• 142 grams--Cooks Illustrated)
• 125 grams--Bon Appetit
• 120 grams--King Arthur
• 128 grams--Zojirushi Bread Machine Owner's Manual

Does it matter that there isn't a standard number?

Consider that the weight of one hand-measured cup of flour can vary by 20-25 grams depending on the method of the baker. Multiply that times three for the average bread machine recipe calling for three cups of flour. Yikes!

Can you see why people are often unhappy with their bread? They have may have inadvertently added up to half a cup of extra flour.

Maybe you think you know how to measure flour accurately. Try testing yourself with a digital kitchen scale. You might be surprised at how much your cup of flour weighs compared to the weight listed on the side of the flour package.

Question: So what's the solution if your bread recipe doesn't include weights for the ingredients?

Answer: You can figure that the author used more flour measuring with "cups" than if he or she had weighed the flour. If you decide to weigh the flour in such a recipe, the moisture level will probably be off.

No problem. When using a bread machine, employ my secret for making corrections on the fly.​

Question: What if there are weights listed, but they vary from the stats on the flour bag or what you normally do?

Answer: Follow the weights specified in the recipe if you want the results described or pictured with the recipe.

As for the recipes on my website, I use King Arthur's weight charts which are the same as seen on the bag of most popular brands of flour. (This applies to the U.S.--can't say for sure about flour sold in other countries.)

Note: Weighing flour for bread is crucial. Weighing liquids is easy and recommended. But when it comes to spices, salt, and yeast, measuring with a teaspoon is often more accurate than weighing.

Have you started thinking about what kind of bread you want to make for Thanksgiving dinner? I will be making these Tangzhong Dinner Rolls.

Don't let that name scare you off. There is only one extra step in the beginning. It's easy and doesn't add much time. The payoff? Light and tender rolls that stay fresh longer than most homemade rolls. They are fabulous!!

"These dinner rolls are the absolute best! My family thanks you for the recipe… I have made them twice a week for the past few months, and they never get tiring. They are light & fluffy, and a definite keeper. Thanks!"--Angie

Many thanks to the reader who sent me a question about flour weights. If you have any questions regarding a specific recipe (especially mine), don't hesitate to email me.

Hoping all of your bread is shareable,

Paula

p.s. Digital kitchen scales don't have to be expensive. Check out my Amazon store.