Common Cooking Abbreviations, Measurements, and Equivalencies

Common Cooking Abbreviations:

teaspoon = t. or tsp.

tablespoon = T. or tbsp.

cup = c.

ounce = oz.

square = sq.

pint = pt.

pound = lb.

quart = qt.

package = pkg.

packet = pkt.

small = sm.

medium = med.

large = lg.

miniature = mini

Common Cooking Measurements:

3t. = 1T.

2T. = 1/8c.

4T. =  1/4c.

8T. = 1/2c.

16T. = 1c.

5T. + 1t. = 1/3c.

12T. = 3/4c.

4 oz. = 1/2c.
1 oz. = 2T. fat or liquid

8 oz. = 1c.

16 oz. = 1 lb.

2c. = 1 pt.

2 pt. = 1 qt.

1 qt. = 4c.

5/8c. = 1/2c. + 2T.

7/8c. = 3/4c. + 2T.

3 med. bananas = 1c. mashed

10 mini marshmallows = 1 lg. marshmallow
1 egg = 2 egg whites or yolks or 1/4c. egg product

Creams/Fats

1c. unwhipped cream = 2c. whipped cream

2c. fat = 1 lb. 
1 lb. shredded cheese = 4c.
1 lb. butter = 2c. or 4 sticks

1c. broth = 1t. or 1 cube beef or chicken bouillon + 1c. hot water

Juices

1 lemon = 3T. juice

1 orange = 1/3c. juice
1c. tomato juice = 1/2c. tomato sauce + 1/2c. water
2c. tomato sauce = 3/4c. tomato paste + 1c. water

Sugars

2c. sugar = 1 lb.

2&2/3c. brown sugar = 1 lb.
4c. powdered sugar = 1 lb.

Pasta

4 oz. (1-1&1/4c.) uncooked macaroni = 2&1/4c. cooked

7 oz. spaghetti = 4c. cooked

4 oz. (1&1/2-2c.) uncooked noodles = 2c. cooked

Crumbs
28 saltine crackers = 1c. crumbs

4 slices bread = 1c. crumbs

14 sq. graham crackers = 1c. crumbs

22 vanilla wafers = 1c. crumbs
3/4c. cracker crumbs = 1c. bread crumbs

 3c. dry corn flakes = 1c. crushed

Bacon, 1 slice, crisp-cooked, crumbled = 1T. cooked bacon pieces

Chocolate

1 sq. unsweetened chocolate (1 oz.) = 3 level T. cocoa + 1T. oil

1 oz. semisweet chocolate = 3T. semisweet chocolate pieces 
                                                or 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate + 1T. sugar 
                                                or 1T. cocoa powder + 2t. sugar + 2t. oil
4 oz. sweet baking chocolate = 1/4c. cocoa +1/3c. sugar + 3T. oil

Herbs/Spices
1t. dried herbs = 1T. fresh herbs

1T. instant minced onion, rehydrated = 1 sm. fresh onion 
1/2c. chopped onion = 2T. dry minced onion or 1/2t. onion powder

1T. prepared mustard = 1t. dry mustard
1T. yellow mustard = 1/2t. dry mustard + 2t. vinegar

1/8t. garlic powder = 1 sm. pressed clove of garlic
1T. balsamic vinegar = 1T. cider vinegar + 1/2t. sugar 
1t. apple pie spice = 1/2t. cinnamon + 1/4t. nutmeg + 1/8t. allspice + dash of cloves or ginger
1t. poultry seasoning = 3/4t. sage + 1/4t. thyme or marjoram
1t. pumpkin pie spice = 1/2t. cinnamon + 1/4t. ginger + 1/4t. allspice + 1/8t. nutmeg

1T. cajun seasoning = 1/2t. white pepper + 1/2t. garlic powder + 1/2t. onion powder + 1/2t.     ground red pepper + 1/2t. paprika + 1/2t. black pepper

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Irresistible Graham Cracker Cookies

From:  Kroger Graham Crackers

1&1/2c. honey graham crackers, finely crushed

1/2c. flour

2t. baking powder

14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1/2c. butter or margarine

2c. semisweet chocolate chips

1c. chopped nuts (optional)

1c. flaked coconut (optional)

1t. vanilla

To make graham cracker crumbs:  Place graham cracker squares into a large resealable plastic bag and seal the bag.  Using a rolling pin, crush crackers into finely crushed crumbs to make 1&1/2 cups.  Preheat oven to 350℉.  In a medium bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, flour, and baking powder.  Mix in sweetened condensed milk, butter, and vanilla.  Stir until smooth.  Stir in chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake 12-15 min. or until lightly browned. 

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Apple Crisp

4c. sliced apples
1T. lemon juice
1/2c. flour
1/2c. brown sugar
1/2c. oatmeal
1/8t. salt
1/8t. baking soda
1/4c. butter

Place apples in a greased baking dish.  Sprinkle with lemon juice.  Combine rest of ingredients (flour, brown sugar, oatmeal, salt, and baking soda) in a bowl.  Mix with butter until crumbly.  Sprinkle over apples and bake at 350℉ for 30 min.

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Stuffing/Dressing

4 carrots, shredded
2 onions, cut fine
2 cubes butter
1c. celery, cut fine
2 loaves bread
2-3 eggs
salt, pepper, and sage to taste

In a saucepan, steam the carrots, onions, butter, and celery for 15-20 min.  Meanwhile, crumb the 2 loaves of bread in a large bowl.  To the bread, add sage, salt, and pepper to taste.  Beat the eggs well and mix with the bread.  Stir the cooled vegetables into the bread.  Stuff into the turkey and bake according to directions for the turkey.

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Taco Burgers

1 lb. ground beef
16 oz. can tomatoes, cut up
1t. chili powder
1t. worcestershire sauce
3/4t. garlic salt
1/2t. sugar
1/4t. dry mustard
8 hamburger buns, split and toasted
2c. shredded lettuce
1c. shredded cheese

In skillet, brown meat on medium heat and then drain the fat.  Add undrained tomatoes, chili powder, worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, sugar, and dry mustard.  Stir well, breaking up large pieces of tomato.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat.  Simmer uncovered for 15-20 min. or until thickened.  Spoon onto toasted buns.  Sprinkle each of the burgers with cheese and lettuce. 

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Jello Pudding Dessert (Melt-In-Your-Mouth Dessert, Girdlebusters)

1&1/2c. graham cracker crumbs
1/4c. sugar
1/3c. butter
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/2c. sugar
2T. milk
1&1/2c. cool whip
2 pkgs. (4 serving size) instant chocolate pudding
3&1/2c. cold milk
extra cool whip

Combine graham cracker crumbs, 1/4c. sugar, and butter together and press firmly into the bottom of a 13x9-inch pan.  Freeze for about 15 min.  Meanwhile, mix the cream cheese, 1/2c. sugar, and 2T. milk together.  Fold in 1&1/2c. cool whip.  Spread this mixture over the graham cracker crust.  In another bowl, prepare the instant chocolate pudding as directed on the package except use 3&1/2c. cold milk.  Pour pudding over the cream cheese layer.  Chill for several hours or overnight.  Spread the extra cool whip on top (the rest of the cool whip container).  Keep chilled.

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Blue Ribbon Lasagna (4-H)

4-5c. spaghetti sauce
8 oz. cooked lasagna noodles
1 lb. ricotta or cottage cheese
8 oz. mozzarella cheese
1/2-3/4 lb. browned hamburger
1/2c. parmesan cheese
1t. oregano (optional)

Pour sauce in the bottom of an 8x12-inch pan.  Place a layer of noodles on top and spread more sauce over the noodles.  Spread cheese and hamburger + mozzarella cheese over the sauce.  Add another layer of noodles and press down.  Spread more sauce over the noodles and repeat with cheese, hamburger, and mozzarella cheese.  Sprinkle with oregano and parmesan cheese.  Add 1 more layer of noodles, spaghetti sauce, parmesan cheese, and remaining mozzarella.  Cover with foil and bake at 375℉ for 30-45 min. or until heated through.  Can be frozen before being cooked.

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Marie Callender's Cornbread

From:  Marie Callender

1 cube margarine

1c. sugar

2 eggs

1c. yellow cornmeal

1&1/2c. flour

2t. baking powder

1/2t. salt

1&1/2c. milk

1/2c. blueberries (optional)

Mix together the margarine, sugar, and eggs.  Add the baking powder, salt, milk, and cornmeal.  Mix well.  Stir in the blueberries and flour.  Pour batter into a greased 8-inch square pan and bake at 375℉ for 40 min. or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 

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Oatmeal Cake

1&1/2c. boiling water
1c. quick cooking oats
1/2c. cooking oil, salad oil, or shortening
1&1/2c. flour
1t. cinnamon
1t. baking soda
1/2t. salt
1c. brown sugar
1c. white sugar
2 eggs

In a large bowl, combine oatmeal and boiling water.  Let stand for 1-2 minutes.  Then mix in the cinnamon, soda, salt, and sugars.  Add the eggs and oil and mix well.  Gradually stir in the flour, mixing it in well.  Spread batter into a greased 9x13-inch pan and bake at 350℉ for 30-40 min. or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  If spreading into a greased 11x15-inch pan, bake at 350℉ for about 20 min. or until done.  For frosting recipe, please see the Sauces/Frosting section on this site.

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No Bake Chocolate Cookies (or Bar Cookies)

2c. sugar
1 stick margarine
2/3c. milk
3c. oatmeal
1/2c. cocoa
1/2c. peanut butter (optional)
1t. vanilla
1/3-1/2c. chopped nuts (optional)
1/2c. coconut (optional)

Cook together and boil for 1-2 minutes the sugar, margarine, and milk--stirring constantly to prevent burning.  Remove from heat and stir in the oatmeal and cocoa.  Then mix in the peanut butter and vanilla.  Finally, stir in the nuts and coconut until ingredients are well blended.  For cookies:  Drop immediately onto wax paper by teaspoonfuls and let cool.  For bar cookies:  Spread mixture into a 9x13-inch pan and let cool.  For faster cooling, chill in the refrigerator.

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Lemon Bars

2c. flour
1/2c. powdered sugar
1c. margarine
4 eggs
2c. sugar
1/2t. salt
4T. flour
4T. lemon juice
1t. baking powder
extra powdered sugar

Create the crust by blending together the margarine, 2c. flour, and 1/2c. powdered sugar.  Press into a 9x13-inch pan.  Bake at 350℉ for 20 min.  Meanwhile, beat together the eggs and sugar.  Then stir in the salt, 4T. flour, lemon juice, and baking powder.  After mixing well, spread this mixture over the crust.  Bake at 350℉ for 20-25 min.  Don't over bake.  Sprinkle with extra powdered sugar while hot.

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Hot Chicken Delight

3 oz. cream cheese
3T. margarine
2c. cubed, cooked chicken
1/4t. salt
1/8t. pepper
2T. milk
1T. minced (chopped) onion
1T. chopped pimento (optional)
8 oz. can crescent rolls
1/2c. bread crumbs

Blend cheese and 2T. of the margarine together.  Gradually stir in remaining ingredients (chicken, salt, pepper, milk, onion, and pimento) except rolls and bread crumbs.  Mix well.  Spread dough from roll can into 4 rectangles onto greased baking sheet.  Spoon 1/2c. of the mixture on each square.   Bring up corners and twist shut.  Brush with 1T. melted margarine; sprinkle with bread crumbs.  Bake at 350℉ for 20-25 min.

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Peanut Butter Chip Chocolate Cookies

From  Hershey's Chocolate

1c. butter or margarine
1&1/2c. sugar
2 eggs
2t. vanilla
2c. flour
2/3c. Hershey's Cocoa
3/4t. baking soda
1/2t. salt
2c. (12 oz.) Reese's Peanut Butter Chips

Cream together the eggs, butter, sugar, and vanilla.  Stir in cocoa, baking soda, and salt.  Then gradually add in the flour and mix well.  Stir in the peanut butter chips.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350℉ for 8-10 min.

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Stuffed Green Peppers

From BH&G's Family Favorites Made Lighter

2 large green peppers

8 oz. lean ground beef

1/3c. chopped onion (1 small)

2 medium tomatoes, peeled and cut into wedges

1/2c. long grain rice

1/2c. water

2t. worcestershire sauce

1/2t. dried basil or oregano, crushed

1/4t. pepper

1/2c. shredded lower-fat cheese (2 oz.)

Halve peppers lengthwise and remove stem ends, seeds, and membranes.  Immerse peppers into boiling water for 3 min.  Invert onto paper towels to drain well.  In a large skillet cook meat and onion till meat is brown and onion is tender.  Drain off fat.  Stir in tomatoes, uncooked rice, water, worcestershire sauce, basil or oregano, and pepper.  Bring to boiling; reduce heat.   Cover and simmer for 15-18 min. or till the rice is tender.  Stir in half of the cheese.  Spoon meat mixture into peppers.  Place peppers in an 8x8x2-inch baking dish.  Spoon any remaining meat mixture into baking dish.  Bake uncovered at 375℉ for about 15 min. or till heated through.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese. 

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German Chocolate or Oatmeal Cake Frosting

1 stick butter or margarine
1/2c. milk or evaporated milk
1t. vanilla
1c. brown sugar
1c.  or 1 can coconut
1/2-1c. chopped nuts (optional)

Dissolve thoroughly the sugar and milk in a large saucepan on medium heat.  Add butter and cook.  Stir almost constantly until mixture boils and becomes thick.   Take from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts, and coconut.  Pour on cake while hot.

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Tuna Boats

1 can tuna
1c. grated cheese
1 medium chopped onion
1 chopped green pepper
1c. chopped celery
mayonnaise to moisten
6-8 slices of bread or hot dog buns or hamburger buns

Combine tuna, cheese, onion, green pepper, and celery and stir together.  Add mayonnaise to moisten and mix well.  Spread mixture on bread or buns.  Place on cookie sheet and bake (open-faced) at 350℉ for about 10 min. or until warmed.  May garnish with paprika.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Quick version from 101 Things To Do With Chocolate and 101 Things To Do With A Cake Mix:

1 spice cake (preferred) or yellow cake mix

15 oz. can canned pumpkin

1c. chocolate chips

Mix together the cake mix and the canned pumpkin.  Add the chocolate chips and mix ingredients together well.  Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350℉ for 8-10 min.

Full version:

1c. shortening or butter or margarine

1c. sugar

1 egg

1c. canned pumpkin

1t. vanilla

2&1/3c. flour

1t. baking powder

1/2t. baking soda

1/2t. salt

1t. cinnamon

1/2t. nutmeg

1/4t. allspice

1c. chocolate chips

Cream the egg and sugar together.  Then mix in the shortening.  Add the pumpkin and mix well.  Add the vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice and mix well.  Slowly add the flour mixing it in well.  Then stir in the chocolate chips.  Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350℉ for 12-15 min.

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Banana Bread (from a baking mix and from scratch)

From:  Jiffy Mix

3/4c. sugar

1/4c. shortening

2 eggs

2c. baking mix (i.e. Jiffy or Bisquick)

1c. mashed ripe bananas

1/3c. nuts (optional)

Combine eggs, sugar, and shortening mixing well.  Stir in bananas.  Slowly stir in the baking mix and mix well.  Stir in nuts.  Pour batter into greased bread pan and bake at 350℉ for 55 min. or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Let cool 10 min. before removing from pan.  

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From Scratch:

3c. flour
2t. baking powder
1/2t. baking soda
3/4c. (1&1/2 sticks) butter
1&1/2c. sugar
2 eggs
1/3c. dry milk powder
1/3c. water
2/3c. mashed bananas
1c. chopped nuts (optional)

In a large mixing bowl, cream the eggs, sugar, and butter together.  Add the baking powder, baking soda, dry milk, and water.   Mix well.  Stir in the mashed bananas and nuts.  Slowly stir in the flour and mix well.  Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350℉ for 50 min. or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.   

Yellow Cake

From BH&G's New Cook Book

2&1/2c. flour

2&1/2t. baking powder

1/2t. salt

3/4c. butter

1&3/4c. sugar

1&1/2t. vanilla

3 eggs

1&1/4c. milk

Heat oven to 375℉ and grease a 13x9-inch pan.  Cream eggs and sugar together.  Add butter and  mix well.  Stir in baking powder, salt, and vanilla.  Then add milk and mix well.  Slowly add flour and mix batter until smooth.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Let cool completely.

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Super Nachos

1 lg. can refried beans

1 lb. ground beef (hamburger)

1/2c. fresh chopped onions

2-3c. grated cheese

1 jar taco sauce

Brown hamburger with the onions in a saucepan on medium heat.  Meanwhile, spread refried beans in the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan.  Drain the fat from the hamburger then spread the browned hamburger with onions over the refried beans.  Spread cheese over the hamburger.  Spread the jar of taco sauce over the cheese.  Bake at 400℉ for 20 min.  Serve over chips.

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