If you want to scale a recipe by one and a half times (for example, the original is not quite enough but double would be too much), what’s the best approach to calculate 1.5× each ingredient, and how can you simplify measuring those, especially if they come out to an unusual measure?

Question

Need to scale a recipe by 1.5 times? Learn the best way to calculate the new amounts and how to simplify measuring the resulting odd fractions.

Answer 1

To scale a recipe by 1.5, multiply each ingredient quantity by 1.5. For easier measuring, convert fractional amounts to the nearest practical measurement (e.g., tablespoons, teaspoons, or fractions of a cup).

Detailed Explanation:

Scaling a recipe by 1.5 means increasing each ingredient by 50%. Here's a step-by-step approach:

1. Multiply: Take the original quantity of each ingredient and multiply it by 1.5. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of flour, multiply 1 cup × 1.5 = 1.5 cups.

2. Convert to Usable Units: If the result is a fractional amount that's difficult to measure, convert it to smaller, more manageable units. Here are some common conversions:

   • 1 cup = 16 tablespoons

   • 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons

   So, 1.5 cups of flour can be expressed as 1 cup + (0.5 cup × 16 tablespoons/cup) = 1 cup + 8 tablespoons.

3. Simplify: Round to the nearest practical measurement. For example, if you calculate 2.3 teaspoons of salt, you can round it to 2 1/4 teaspoons or 2 1/2 teaspoons, depending on your preference and the recipe's sensitivity.

4. Use Online Calculators: There are many online recipe scaling calculators that can automate these calculations for you. Simply input the original recipe and the desired scale factor (1.5 in this case), and it will provide the adjusted quantities.

Pro Tip:

When scaling recipes, especially for baking, be mindful of the impact on cooking times and temperatures. Larger quantities may require slightly longer cooking times. It's always a good idea to check for doneness a bit earlier than the original recipe suggests.