BBabushka Market

Practical cooking guide

How to Scale Recipes

Use a scale factor while recognising ingredients and cookware that may not scale perfectly.

Calculate the scale factor

Divide the required servings by the original servings. Multiply each ingredient quantity by that factor, keeping units consistent.

Some elements need judgement

Seasoning, thickening, leavening and cooking time may not feel linear in practice. Scale the written quantities, then apply the recipe author's guidance and taste where safe.

Check equipment capacity

A larger batch may exceed a bowl, pan or oven's useful capacity. Multiple normal-sized batches can be more predictable.

Practical checklist

  • Write the scaled quantities before starting.
  • Do not change pan depth without considering baking time.