Measuring Sticky Syrups

Our answer

Several of Nigella's recipes use syrup, honey or treacle, such as Vanilla Fudge, Honey Semifreddo and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Where the amount is large, Nigella tries to give the weight as it is easiest to measure the syrup straight into the bowl or saucepan. However for smaller measures, and American cup measures, you do need to put the syrup into a measuring spoon or cup first.

For spoon measures it is easiest to dip the spoon into a mug of hot water (from a freshly boiled kettle) before measuring the syrup. You may need to do this more than once, in between each spoonful. The syrup should slide easily off the warm measuring spoon. For larger measures you can use the hot water method or you may find it easier to grease the cup measure with a little flavourless oil before measuring the syrup. The oil will prevent the syrup from sticking to the cup.