What is the formula for increasing or decreasing a recipe?

Here's the formula for increasing or decreasing a recipe, along with explanations and examples:

The Formula

1. Determine the Scaling Factor:

* To increase: Divide the new desired quantity by the original quantity.

* To decrease: Divide the new desired quantity by the original quantity.

2. Multiply Each Ingredient: Multiply each ingredient in the original recipe by the scaling factor.

Example: Increasing a Recipe

Let's say you have a recipe for 4 servings of cookies and you want to make enough for 8 servings (doubling the recipe).

* Scaling Factor: 8 servings / 4 servings = 2

* Multiply Ingredients: Multiply each ingredient in the original recipe by 2.

Example: Decreasing a Recipe

You have a recipe for 12 muffins but only want to make 6.

* Scaling Factor: 6 muffins / 12 muffins = 0.5

* Multiply Ingredients: Multiply each ingredient in the original recipe by 0.5.

Important Notes

* Baking: For baking recipes, it's generally best to stick to increasing or decreasing by multiples of 2. This helps maintain the proper ratios of ingredients, especially for leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda.

* Oven Temperature: Oven temperature generally doesn't need to be adjusted unless you're making a very large batch.

* Cooking Time: Cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly based on the size and quantity of the food you're making.

* Liquids: For liquids, you can often use a measuring cup with markings for fractions of a cup, making it easier to calculate the new amounts.

Using a Recipe Calculator

Many websites and apps offer recipe calculators that can automate this process for you. Simply enter the original recipe and the desired number of servings, and the calculator will provide the adjusted ingredient amounts.