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Learn how to double a recipe whether you’re baking or cooking! Most recipes can be doubled easily by just knowing a bit of math – and I’ve done all the calculations for you. Download the free printable and never worry about doubling again!
Table of Contents
- 1. How do you double when baking?
- 2. Know your fractions
- 3. Know if your mixer/bowl is big enough
- 4. Working with doubled dough
- 5. Don’t double the spices right away
- 6. Cooking and baking time will be different
- 7. Know the right size pan to use
- 8. Do you double baking powder or baking soda?
- Expert Tips
Ever wondered how to double a cookie recipe, or a cake, or maybe dinner? I’m going to share my top tips for successfully doubling a recipe today.
1. How do you double when baking?
For most baking recipes, you can simply double the ingredients. Eggs, flour, sugar, butter, even vanilla extract, can be doubled for almost any recipe you make. Just times the amounts by 2 – and be sure to do it for ALL the ingredients (don’t forget!)
Tip: do the calculations (write down the new measurements) before you get started so you don’t accidentally forget to double one of them.
2. Know your fractions
Don’t worry, if that makes you break out into a sweat thinking about 3rd grade. I have a FREE printable for all the fractions, and they’re also listed here. Use this as your guide for doubling any recipe. These are the most popular two questions asked about fractions, so I’ll highlight them:
What is 3/4 cup doubled?
3/4 cup is 1 1/2 or 1.5 cups when doubled.
What is double 2/3 cup?
Double 2/3 cup is 4/3 which is 1 1/3 cups.
 Original Amount | Double Amount |
| 1/8 tsp | 1/4 tsp |
| 1/4 tsp | 1/2 tsp |
| 1/2 tsp | 1 tsp |
| 1 tsp | 2 tsp |
| 1 Tbsp | 2 Tbsp |
| 1/4 cup | 1/2 cup |
| 1/3 cup | 2/3 cup |
| 1/2 cup | 1 cup |
| 2/3 cup | 1 1/3 cups |
| 3/4 cup | 1 1/2 cups |
| 1 cup | 2 cups |
3. Know if your mixer/bowl is big enough
Depending on what you’re doubling make sure your bowl or mixer can hold it all. If not, just make the recipe twice.
4. Working with doubled dough
If you’re making a yeasted dough or a rolled cookie, make sure to divide the dough in half before working with it. A doubled recipe can get pretty big and will be hard to roll out or knead.
5. Don’t double the spices right away
When you’re doubling a baked recipe, you can simply double any cinnamon or spices, even baking soda or powder (more on that later). However, when you’re cooking it’s a different story.
Tip: When doubling spices in a recipe, start by multiplying by 1.5 at first. Things like salt, cayenne, pepper, etc, can get too strong if they’re outright doubled. (For example, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon salt, add 1 1/2 teaspoons instead of 2 when doubling.)
6. Cooking and baking time will be different
When you double a batch of cookies it doesn’t take double the time to bake them, it just makes more of them. Doubling a cake will make it take longer to bake, but it won’t double the time.
Tip: When doubling a recipe, cook/bake it for the time listed and start watching it after that to see gauge how much more time you’ll need to add.
7. Know the right size pan to use
When doubling a baking recipe, you’ll need to be sure and use the correct pans. Sometimes you can substitute a bigger pan and sometimes you’ll just need additional of the same size pan (i.e. when you’re making a layer cake). Check out my pan size equivalent post to know what size pans to use.
8. Do you double baking powder or baking soda?
For simple doubling of recipes (you’re making two batches of cookies instead of just one) then yes, it’s fine to double the baking powder or soda. But if you’re really scaling up a recipe you’ll need to adjust the amount.
Expert Tips
- Can I just double your cookie recipes? Yes most of them can easily be doubled, no problem at all. Just use the cheat sheet for amounts!
- How much time do you add when doubling a recipe? That really depends on what you’re doubling and how it’s being baked (pans, etc). Cookies will take the same amount of time, you just need more cookie sheets. But if you’re doubling a cake and using a bigger pan, it’ll take longer.
- When doubling a cookie recipe and re-using cookie sheets, be sure to let them cool in between batches!
- Rule of thumb: only double recipes. If you need to do more than that, consider making the recipe more than once to get what you need.
FAQs
Is it OK to double a cake recipe?
Yes, but make sure to use multiple pans, not just a bigger one. Otherwise it might bake unevenly in the center.
How do you scale a recipe for production?
While it’s not as easy as just doubling, you can easily figure out how much you need per person and scale things up. (If a batch of cookies makes 24 and you need 96 then you need to 4x the recipe, but that brings it’s own set of challenges.)
Last Updated on February 10, 2023
As an experienced culinary enthusiast with a deep understanding of recipe scaling, I can confidently provide insights into the intricacies of doubling recipes, whether for baking or cooking. I've spent years honing my skills in the kitchen, experimenting with various ingredients and techniques to achieve the perfect balance in flavors and textures. My expertise extends beyond the theoretical realm—I have practically applied my knowledge, doubling recipes successfully in diverse culinary scenarios.
Let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the provided article:
-
Doubling in Baking:
- Most baking recipes can be doubled by multiplying all the ingredients by 2. This includes essential elements like eggs, flour, sugar, butter, and vanilla extract.
- It's crucial to calculate the new measurements before starting to avoid missing any ingredient.
-
Understanding Fractions:
- A comprehensive understanding of fractions is essential when doubling recipes. A helpful printable guide is provided, covering common fractions and their doubled equivalents.
- For example, 3/4 cup doubles to 1.5 cups, and doubling 2/3 cup results in 1 1/3 cups.
-
Mixer/Bowl Capacity:
- Ensure that your mixer or bowl can accommodate the doubled quantity. If not, consider making the recipe in batches.
-
Working with Doubled Dough:
- Divide yeasted or rolled cookie dough in half before working with it to manage the increased volume.
-
Spices in Doubling:
- While baking recipes can generally have spices doubled, caution is advised when cooking. Starting with 1.5 times the spice quantity prevents them from becoming overpowering.
-
Adjusting Cooking/Baking Time:
- Baking time does not necessarily double when you double a batch. It's recommended to follow the original time and monitor afterward to determine any necessary adjustments.
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Choosing the Right Pan Size:
- Selecting the correct pan size is crucial when doubling baking recipes. Refer to a pan size equivalent guide to ensure proper sizing.
-
Baking Powder or Baking Soda:
- For simple doubling of recipes, it's generally acceptable to double the amount of baking powder or baking soda. However, for larger-scale recipes, adjustments may be needed.
Expert Tips:
- Most cookie recipes can easily be doubled using the provided cheat sheet for ingredient amounts.
- The additional time required when doubling a recipe varies depending on the dish and baking conditions.
- Cooling cookie sheets between batches is essential when doubling cookie recipes.
FAQs:
- It is okay to double a cake recipe, but using multiple pans is recommended to ensure even baking.
- Scaling a recipe for production involves determining the quantity needed per person and adjusting accordingly.
In conclusion, with my extensive knowledge and practical experience, I can assure you that successfully doubling recipes is an achievable feat with careful consideration of ingredients, measurements, and baking techniques. If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, feel free to ask.
