Did you know that there are a lot of factors that go into whether or not a measuring cup is yielding you the intended measurement? Like how fluffy an item is, how much a person packs it down, how big your version of minced is, the list could go on and on. No two people measure the exact same way. I may pack down my brown sugar while another loosely piles it in the cup. I may cut items super tiny while another's idea of minced is way different. However, there is a way we can all get the same measurement. A food scale.
The Mira Digital Kitchen Scale is handy kitchen gadget. When I first saw this scale I thought it looked very sleek and modern. I also loved the blue and orange colors of this scale. Reminds me of my son's outer space room.
The Mira Digital Kitchen Scale measures several different weights (pounds, kilograms, grams, and ounces) with just a click of a button which you can easily read on it's large LCD display screen. It can measure 0.1oz to 11lbs. That's quite a range. The only problem I had with the scale was that sometimes it took me several clicks to power it on. Guess I just wasn't hitting the sweet spot.
A digital scale can also keep your dish load down while baking. I know when I bake I use measuring cups and spoons galore (glad I have a dishwasher), but with a food scale that is greatly diminished. All you need to do is place a bowl on the scale while it is off then turn it on. The scale will display zero and you can add your ingredients accordingly. Just scoop them right out of the container until you reach your desired weight. Way less dishes. Yes!
I decided to test out how my measuring skills were compared to the accuracy of the Mira Digital Kitchen Scale by making Yumtasic Brownies (AKA Best Brownies). These aren't chewy brownies. They are more a mixture between cakelike and chewy. Probably leaning more toward cakelike. Whatever they are-they are awesome!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter + 3 tablespoons
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (43g) + 3 tablespoons
- 1/2 all purpose flour (64g)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 confectioners sugar (64g)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and flour a 9 x 9 baking pan. Cream 1/2 cup melted butter with sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. If you like a denser brownie – do 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/2 brown sugar.
Once the mixture is creamed well beat in 1/3 cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
Mira Digital Kitchen Scale test: 1/3 cup cocoa powder is supposed to weigh 43g but my 1/3 cup equaled 25g. That is way off. Also, 1/2 cup flour is supposed to weigh 64g but when I hit 64g on the scale there was flour still left in my cup. Oops. Glad I had the scale to correct me.
If you like this the time to add in walnuts or chocolate chips (like I sometimes do with my peanut butter cookies). I use about 1/2 cup when I add these in. Spread the batter evenly into the 9 x 9 baking pan and bake for 25 minutes.
While the brownies are baking combine 3 tablespoons melted butter with 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and confectioners sugar.
Mira Digital Kitchen Scale test: 1/2 cup confectioners sugar is supposed to weight 64g but my 1/2 cup was 7 ounces less than it should of been.
This will make a nice shiny glaze. If you don't like your brownies too sweet you may want to forgo this step. Spread evenly over brownies as soon as the come out of the oven. Enjoy! They are great with ice cream.
After testing out the Mira Digital Kitchen Scale I can totally see how useful this product would be in the kitchen. Might explain why some recipes don't taste as they should. My ingredients were way off. I'm glad this kitchen scale can fix my recipe woes. Have you ever used a kitchen scale? I hear they are popular with weight watcher fans.
This looks like a terrific, helpful item to have, Krystle! I’m always interested in tools that can help me in the kitchen BUT do not take up more than a little space. As my cooking has expanded and I’ve bought more toys I am out of room in my tiny cooking kingdom! Thanks for the helpful suggestion on the scale! 🙂
You are welcome! I still need to get a bowl mixer but they seem so expensive.
There is nothing like a good brownie recipe. Also a great scale is a kitchen must. 🙂
They are great with ice cream!