Measure small amounts of dry ingredients, such as baking powder, baking soda and salt, by pouring or scooping them into the spoon until the spoon is full. Level the top with a straight-edged spatula or knife.

Use nested measuring cups (cups that store one into another) to measure dry ingredients and solid fats, such as shortening. Cups range in size from 1/4 cup to 1 cup in most sets. Do not use coffee cups, mugs or other containers to measure ingredients for baking recipes.

Measure dry ingredients such as flour, sugar and cocoa by spooning the ingredients lightly into a cup. Level with a straight-edged spatula or knife. Do not pack, shake down or press ingredients into these measures.

Measure solid shortening, peanut butter or brown sugar by spooning them into a cup and packing them down firmly with a spatula or spoon.

Measure flaked coconut by spooning it into a cup and packing it down lightly.

Measure butter or margarine by using the tablespoon and cup indicators on the wrappers. The following guidelines can be used if the wrapper doesn't have the indicators: 1/4 cup equals 4 tablespoons or 1/2 stick, 1/3 cup equals 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, 1/2 cup equals 8 tablespoons or 1 stick.

Use glass or plastic transparent measuring cups with a spout to measure all liquid amounts greater than 1/4 cup. When measuring ingredients in these types of cups, read the liquid measurement at eye level while the cup is on a flat surface.