Vanilla Bean Paste
Vanilla bean paste weighs 290g per cup — denser than extract because of the sugar syrup base and ground bean seeds. Substitute 1:1 for vanilla extract or for ½ vanilla bean. The visible seeds ("vanilla flecks") add a luxe look to ice cream, custards, and frostings. More cost-effective than whole beans for everyday use. Once opened, keep tightly sealed at room temperature — refrigeration causes crystallization.
02 // FULL CONVERSION TABLE
03 // WHY IT MATTERS
If your cookies spread, your bread is gummy, or your cake sinks — flour weight is usually why.
A scooped cup of flour can weigh anywhere from 125g to 180g. That's a 44% range — enough to wreck a cake.
Modern recipes use the spoon-and-level method: fluff the flour, spoon it into a dry measuring cup without packing, then sweep flat with a knife.
The scoop method — pushing the cup directly into the bag — packs in 40-50% more flour.