How to Cut Down Recipes for Half-, Third- or Quarter-Sized Batches

Always having to ask yourself how many tablespoons are in 1/3 cup? We have the answer, and more! Bookmark this page for the easiest way to downsize your favorite recipe.

not every dinner or batch of cookies needs to serve a little army. Learn how to cut down recipes so you can make part sizes that suit your needs .

How to Divide Measurements at a Glance

Use this handy chart when you ’ re cutting down a recipe. Need more recipes for two ? We ’ ve got ’ em !

How to Convert Measurements to Tablespoons and Teaspoons

here ’ s a list of how many tablespoons and teaspoons are in larger measure cup amounts. By the way, here ’ s how to measure without measuring cups .

• 1 cup = 16 tbsp
• Half of 1 cup = 8 tbsp
• 3/4 cup = 12 tbsp
• Half of 3/4 cup = 6 tbsp
• 1/2 cup = 8 tbsp
• Half of 1/2 cup = 4 tbsp
• 1/3 cup = 5 tbsp + 1 tsp
• Half of 1/3 cup = 2 tbsp + 2 tsp
• 1/4 cup = 4 tbsp
• Half of 1/4 cup = 2 tbsp
• 1/8 cup = 2 tbsp
• Half of 1/8 cup = 1 tbsp
• 1/2 tbsp = 1-1/2 tsp

Learn how to measure ingredients like a pro .

How to Cut Down Weighted Ingredients

This is when cooking by system of weights rather of measure is fabulously handy. Cutting down ( or doubling ) recipes is deoxyadenosine monophosphate simpleton as a little division or subtraction .
To cut down any recipe, merely divide the weights called for in the original recipe. Want to make a half batch ? Divide the measures by two. A third batch ? Divide by three. A quarter batch ? Well, divide the amounts by four .

How to Halve an Egg

Cutting down recipes can be pretty comfortable when you ’ re precisely dealing with cups and ounces. Things get catchy, though, when the original recipe calls for precisely one egg. In this lawsuit, ask yourself if you in truth need to half the recipe, because cutting down on an egg can be crafty .
If you very do need to trim down the recipe, crack your egg into a modest cup of tea and whisk. then you can add half of that mix by eye .
If you want to be in truth demand, bring out your kitchen scale. Start by weighing the stadium, hitting tare, then shot in the testis. then you can divide that weight in half for preciseness baking .

No Need to Cut Down These Small Batch Cookies

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Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

When my mother ( who ‘s now a great-grandmother ) gave me this no-flour, gluten-free peanut butter cookie recipe about 15 years ago, I was disbelieving, because it calls for alone three ingredients ( and no flour ? ! ). But since then I ‘ve never had a failure. For these gluten-free peanut butter cookies—3 ingredients are all you need ! —Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin Go to Recipe

When my mother (who’s now a great-grandmother) gave me this no-flour, gluten-free peanut butter cookie recipe about 15 years ago, I was skeptical, because it calls for only three ingredients (and no flour?!). But since then I’ve never had a failure. For these gluten-free peanut butter cookies—3 ingredients are all you need! —Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Homemade Chocolate Shortbread

This recipe has been in my files for a long time … credibly from when I first learned to bake. Any chocolate fan will like these melt-in-your-mouth cookies. I make them year-round with variations. They ‘re even richer with a thin coat of icing or as a sandwich cookie with frost in the middle. —Sarah Bueckert, Austin, Manitoba Go to Recipe

This recipe has been in my files for a long time…probably from when I first learned to bake. Any chocolate lover will like these melt-in-your-mouth cookies. I make them year-round with variations. They’re even richer with a thin coat of icing or as a sandwich cookie with frosting in the middle. —Sarah Bueckert, Austin, Manitoba

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Chocolate Malted Cookies

These cookies are the following best thing to a good antique malted milk. With malted milk gunpowder, cocoa syrup, and chocolate chips and chunks, these are the best cookies I ‘ve ever tasted…and with six kids, I ‘ve made a lot of cookies over the years ! —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan Go to Recipe

These cookies are the next best thing to a good old-fashioned malted milk. With malted milk powder, chocolate syrup, and chocolate chips and chunks, these are the best cookies I’ve ever tasted…and with six kids, I’ve made a lot of cookies over the years! —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Peanut Butter Cookie In A Mug

This peanut butter cookie in a countenance is perfect for when you have a odoriferous tooth but do n’t want to make an integral batch of cookies. So flying and easy ! — Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Go to Recipe

This peanut butter cookie in a mug is perfect for when you have a sweet tooth but don’t want to make an entire batch of cookies. So quick and easy! — Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with lemony dried cherries. It ’ s a estimable thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because we eat them all in one night ! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho Go to Recipe

These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries. It’s a good thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because we eat them all in one night! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies

Cookie butter and flat coat ginger add a new level of flavor. The recipe makes approximately 2 twelve cookies, and they go fast. You may want to make a double batch. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio Go to Recipe

Cookie butter and ground ginger add a new layer of flavor. The recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies, and they go fast. You may want to make a double batch. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio

Mexican Chocolate Oat Cookies

Colleen Delawder of Herndon, Virginia takes oatmeal cookies to a new flush with mexican cocoa. We added piquant chocolate cinnamon cane carbohydrate for an supernumerary morsel of heat and cinnamon-spice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Go to Recipe

Colleen Delawder of Herndon, Virginia takes oatmeal cookies to a new level with Mexican chocolate. We added spicy chocolate cinnamon cane sugar for an extra bit of heat and cinnamon-spice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

First-Place Coconut Macaroons

These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fairly. They remain my husband ‘s favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he constantly asks me where his batch is ! I particularly like the fact that this recipe makes a small adequate batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin Go to Recipe

These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband’s favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin

Chocolate Pecan Skillet Cookie

Bake up the ultimate shareable cookie. For variety, replace the chocolate chips with an equal quantity of M & M ‘s or chocolate chunks. Or go superintendent fancy by mixing the cocoa chips and pecans into the dough, then lightly folding in 1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Go to Recipe

Bake up the ultimate shareable cookie. For variety, replace the chocolate chips with an equal quantity of M&M’s or chocolate chunks. Or go super fancy by mixing the chocolate chips and pecans into the dough, then gently folding in 1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Easy Oatmeal Cream Pies

These easy cookies use only five ingredients and preference very exchangeable to a boughten cookie. Of course, everything ‘s better from your own kitchen ! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado Go to Recipe

These easy cookies use only five ingredients and taste very similar to a store-bought cookie. Of course, everything’s better from your own kitchen! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado

Jumbo Brownie Cookies

Take these profoundly fudgy cookies to a party, and you ‘re certain to make a acquaintance. A little espresso gunpowder in the boodle makes them extraordinary well. —Rebecca Cababa, Las Vegas, Nevada Go to Recipe

Take these deeply fudgy cookies to a party, and you’re sure to make a friend. A little espresso powder in the dough makes them over-the-top good. —Rebecca Cababa, Las Vegas, Nevada

Raspberry Almond Strips

Get quick to pour yourself a cup of tea, because you won ’ triiodothyronine be able to resist sampling one of these cookies. Almonds total smack and texture to the dim-witted strips that are dressed up with raspberry proto-indo european fill. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen Go to Recipe

Get ready to pour yourself a cup of tea, because you won’t be able to resist sampling one of these cookies. Almonds add taste and texture to the simple strips that are dressed up with raspberry pie filling. —Test Kitchen

Oat-Rageous Chocolate Chip Cookies

My aunt gave me this recipe, and my family thinks these cookies are delightful. We enjoy all different kinds of cookies, and with this recipe, we can combine three of our favorite kinds—oatmeal, peanut butter and chocolate chip—in one ! —Jaymie Noble, Kalamazoo, Michigan Go to Recipe

My aunt gave me this recipe, and my family thinks these cookies are delicious. We enjoy all different kinds of cookies, and with this recipe, we can combine three of our favorite kinds—oatmeal, peanut butter and chocolate chip—in one! —Jaymie Noble, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

“ Who does n’t like chocolate chip cookies ? ” inquires field editor program Diane Hixon, who credits cocoa in the buffet for the double dose of chocolate in her treats. These vanish fast from the cookie jar in her Niceville, Florida base ! Go to Recipe

“Who doesn’t like chocolate chip cookies?” inquires field editor Diane Hixon, who credits cocoa in the batter for the double dose of chocolate in her treats. These disappear fast from the cookie jar in her Niceville, Florida home!

Joe Froggers

Large, cushy and chewy, these cookies are made to munch. This classic recipe has a warm blend of spices that seems stronger the second sidereal day. Your syndicate will decidedly ask you to make them again !, voiced and chewy, these are a bang-up nosh. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Go to Recipe

Large, soft and chewy, these cookies are made to munch. This classic recipe has a warm blend of spices that seems stronger the second day. Your family will definitely ask you to make them again!, soft and chewy, these are a great snack. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Coconut Banana Cookies

This is a spring variation on my grandma ‘s banana flatten cookies and, with tons of coconut spirit, it ‘s perfect for Easter. —Elyse Benner, Solon, Ohio Go to Recipe

This is a springtime variation on my grandma’s banana drop cookies and, with tons of coconut flavor, it’s perfect for Easter. —Elyse Benner, Solon, Ohio

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

here ‘s a unlike version of a traditional recipe. I love these easy peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. — Clarice Schweitzer, Sun City, Arizona Go to Recipe

Here’s a different version of a traditional recipe. I love these soft peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. — Clarice Schweitzer, Sun City, Arizona

French Toast Cookies

I created these soft, bubbling cookies because my baby loves cinnamon french toast covered in maple syrup. In the case of these cookies, bigger is decidedly well ! I like to use white hale pale yellow flour, but any hale pale yellow flour will work.—Mary Shenk, Dekalb, Illinois Go to Recipe

I created these soft, sparkly cookies because my sister loves cinnamon French toast covered in maple syrup. In the case of these cookies, bigger is definitely better! I like to use white whole wheat flour, but any whole wheat flour will work.—Mary Shenk, Dekalb, Illinois

Chocolate Macadamia Macaroons

This perfect macaroon has dark chocolate, chewy coconut and macadamia nuts and is dipped in chocolate—sinful and delicious ! —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon Go to Recipe

This perfect macaroon has dark chocolate, chewy coconut and macadamia nuts and is dipped in chocolate—sinful and delicious! —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Chewy Maple Cookies

My husband, Bob, and I have a little sugar operation with Bob ‘s father. I love to put some of our syrup to use in these fortunate cookies. —Reba Legrand, Jericho, Vermont Go to Recipe

My husband, Bob, and I have a small sugaring operation with Bob’s father. I love to put some of our syrup to use in these golden cookies. —Reba Legrand, Jericho, Vermont

Wyoming Whopper Cookies

These big country cookies are made to travel—in fact, I came astir with this recipe while trying to match a commercial cookie that was good, but excessively crumbly to carry. —Jamie Hirsch, Powell, Wyoming Go to Recipe

These big country cookies are made to travel—in fact, I came up with this recipe while trying to match a commercial cookie that was good, but too crumbly to carry. —Jamie Hirsch, Powell, Wyoming

Giant Spice Cookies

I heard this cookie recipe over the radio about 1950—shortly after my conserve and I married. The big blue treats are then nice and chewy, they remain my favored to this day. —Sandy Pyeatt, Tacoma, Washington Go to Recipe

I heard this cookie recipe over the radio about 1950—shortly after my husband and I married. The big spicy treats are so nice and chewy, they remain my favorite to this day. —Sandy Pyeatt, Tacoma, Washington