On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:34:35 -0800 (PST), Nancy2 wrote:

> On Nov 18, 6:41*am, Wayne Boatwright >
> wrote:
>> I really hate it when recipes for banana cake or banana bread specify the
>> number of bananas rather than giving a cup or weight measurement. *Even
>> specifying "large" or "medium" bananas is not too meaningful since size
>> varies considerably. *Baking recipes are highly dependent on exact quantities
>> of major ingredients for success. *Two little banana results in a dry cake or
>> bread, just as too much banana results in a cake or bread that falls. *Recipe
>> authors ought to get their bananas together. :-)
>>
>> * * * * * * * * * * *Wayne Boatwright
>
> Nobody wants to measure mashed bananas in a measuring cup. I don't
> have any problem with my banana/sour cream bars or banana bread
> recipes. If they're small, I use 3; if they're giant, I use 1 1/2.
> (Recipe calls for 2 medium.) How hard is that??
>
> N.

but giving a volume measurement doesn't mean you *have* to measure it in a
cup. i'd rather know whether i'm trying to eyeball two cups or three.

your pal,
blake

"blake murphy" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:34:35 -0800 (PST), Nancy2 wrote:
>
>> On Nov 18, 6:41 am, Wayne Boatwright >
>> wrote:
>>> I really hate it when recipes for banana cake or banana bread specify
>>> the
>>> number of bananas rather than giving a cup or weight measurement. Even
>>> specifying "large" or "medium" bananas is not too meaningful since size
>>> varies considerably. Baking recipes are highly dependent on exact
>>> quantities
>>> of major ingredients for success. Two little banana results in a dry
>>> cake or
>>> bread, just as too much banana results in a cake or bread that falls.
>>> Recipe
>>> authors ought to get their bananas together. :-)
>>>
>>> Wayne Boatwright
>>
>> Nobody wants to measure mashed bananas in a measuring cup. I don't
>> have any problem with my banana/sour cream bars or banana bread
>> recipes. If they're small, I use 3; if they're giant, I use 1 1/2.
>> (Recipe calls for 2 medium.) How hard is that??
>>
>> N.
>
> but giving a volume measurement doesn't mean you *have* to measure it in a
> cup. i'd rather know whether i'm trying to eyeball two cups or three.
>
Eyeballing bananas. Okay, sure, I'm immature, at this age I'm hoping it
keeps me young.

l, not -l wrote:

>
> If I were disposed to measuring bananas, I'd use the displacement method.
> For example, to measure a cup of banana, I'd put one cup of water in a
> two-cup or larger measuring cup; then, add banana until the water reaches
> the two cup level. Pour off the water and you have a cup of banana.

I tried that once with Crisco from a can. What a mess. It was easier and
less mess to spoon it into a cup, scrape it out.

Wayne Boatwright wrote:

> As far as shortening or butter, I weigh it. Generally the ounces in a cup are
> equivalent to US ounces of weight of these items.

Water is equivalent, but fat is lighter than water, so while I'm not
saying this doesn't work for you, it's not the way I'd go. (Then again,
most things I make with butter don't need a precise amount.)

Serene

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Wed 18 Nov 2009 06:50:03p, Serene Vannoy told us...
>
>> Water is equivalent, but fat is lighter than water, so while I'm not
>> saying this doesn't work for you, it's not the way I'd go. (Then again,
>> most things I make with butter don't need a precise amount.)
>
> I'm not disputing what you say, but I do know that 1/4 lb. of butter equals
> 1/2 cup, which is also 4 oz. in a measuring cup.
>

Yeah, good point. Wonder why that is? Hmm. Now I'll have to see if a
stick of butter really is 1/2 a cup, or only approximately. Food science
is fun. ;-)

Serene