A Bit About Butter
A few days ago I wrote a blog post about the use of CUP MEASUREMENTS in American recipes. I got a lot of wonderful comments and feedback from my European readers and several comments about butter.
Many American recipes will have listed in the ingredients 'a stick of butter'. This is most confusing to a baker who has never purchased a 'stick of butter'. 'How much is a stick?' was the recurring question.
So, I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify the stick of butter issue. (Sorry about the pitiful pun) In the States, butter and margarine are often sold in one pound packages. Each package contains four sticks of butter, therefore, a stick of butter weighs 4 ounces . When melted, the stick of butter will measure 1/2 cup or 4 fluid ounces.
So when your recipe says a stick of butter it really means:
4 ounces of butter in the old fashion pound and ounces weight
1/2 cup butter in American cup measures OR 4 fluid ounces when melted
Just don't ask me how many grams that is... I haven't a clue!
Many American recipes will have listed in the ingredients 'a stick of butter'. This is most confusing to a baker who has never purchased a 'stick of butter'. 'How much is a stick?' was the recurring question.
So, I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify the stick of butter issue. (Sorry about the pitiful pun) In the States, butter and margarine are often sold in one pound packages. Each package contains four sticks of butter, therefore, a stick of butter weighs 4 ounces . When melted, the stick of butter will measure 1/2 cup or 4 fluid ounces.
So when your recipe says a stick of butter it really means:
4 ounces of butter in the old fashion pound and ounces weight
1/2 cup butter in American cup measures OR 4 fluid ounces when melted
Just don't ask me how many grams that is... I haven't a clue!
Thank you again for explaining this. I have often wondered what a stick of butter is, now I know!
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