Surprising Ways to Get More out of Your Glass Measuring Cup

To get the best results when you’re cooking, it’s important to use the right measuring tools for the job: Dry measuring cups are used for dry ingredients (flour, sugar, rice), and liquid measuring cups for fluids. Seems simple enough, but did you know there are different types of liquid measuring cups—and that you can use some for more than just measuring out the accurate amounts of ingredients?

Benefits of Glass Measuring Cups

If you use glass measuring cups, you can do everything from making hot fudge sauce to poaching an egg, steaming vegetables, heating up gravy and much more.

With a glass measuring cup, one big benefit is that “it is your best option for microwaving,” says Ilana Rosen, Senior Product Manager at OXO, which just debuted new 1-cup, 2-cup and 4-cup liquid measuring cups made from borosilicate glass. These glass measuring cups also have a soft silicone handle that stays cool (so you won’t need a potholder to remove the hot cup from the microwave). Glass also won’t warp, stain or absorb odors.

Other benefits? These new glass measuring cups are also safe for the fridge, freezer and dishwasher and have easy-to-read cup, ounce and milliliter measurement markings. Plus the handle is angled, which makes it comfortable to grip and more ergonomic. The angled downward spout means less of a mess at the end of pouring.

And to top it off, the 2-cup glass measure comes with—yes—a top, which is handy after you’ve used the cup for prepping or cooking. “The silicone lid is a really nice addition because it allows you to put something away in your refrigerator for later,” says Rosen. Using a lid instead of plastic wrap or foil is better for your wallet—and for the environment.

Obviously, the primary purpose of a measuring cup is to accurately measure and pour liquid ingredients. But with a microwave-safe glass cup that makes it easy to heat up your ingredients in the same container—and a top that lets you safely store any extra amount in the fridge—you can do so much more, like:

• heat milk, broth, gravy or other liquids
• melt butter, chocolate, honey or coconut oil
• soften cream cheese or marshmallows
• prepare sauces, dressings and beverages.
  
  

Here are some other clever uses for your glass liquid measuring cup.

Whip Up Hot Fudge Sauce

Place 1 stick of unsalted butter (cut into small pieces) and 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips in the glass measuring cup. Microwave on high in 20-second intervals (stirring well after each interval), until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and smooth.

Add a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk and whisk to combine. Microwave on high in 20-second intervals (stirring well after each interval), until the sauce is smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour the warm sauce over ice cream.

To store any leftover sauce, pop on the lid and stash in the fridge; to use, remove the lid and microwave in short intervals, until the sauce is pourable again.

Mix and Pour Pancake Batter

Place 2 tablespoons of butter in the glass measuring cup. Microwave on high for 20 seconds, then in 5-second intervals until butter is completely melted.

To the melted butter, add ¾ cup milk and 1 egg and mix well. Stir in 1 cup of pancake mix until just combined; do not overmix—a few lumps are okay. 

Rest the batter for a few minutes while you heat the griddle. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the griddle. Cook each pancake until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to set, about 2 minutes. Flip each pancake and cook for an additional minute or so, or until golden brown.

Make and Store Salad Dressing

Weekday lunches are even easier if you’ve got homemade salad dressing ready to go. To the glass measuring cup, add 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil, ½ cup to 3/4 cup of red wine vinegar (depending on how acidic you like your dressing), 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.

Whisk well until the ingredients are incorporated and the dressing is emulsified. Pour the desired amount of dressing onto your salad and toss. 

Pop the lid on the glass measuring cup and refrigerate the dressing for up to a week—just be sure to whisk before using to re-emulsify the dressing.

Poach an Egg

Fill the glass measuring cup with 3/4 cup of cold water. Crack 1 egg into the water (don’t break the yolk). Microwave on high for 1 minute. 

Remove from the microwave and check the egg for doneness (the white should be set). Use a slotted spoon to transfer the egg from the water to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve on a toasted English muffin and season with salt and pepper.

Prepare Batch Cocktails

Don’t make individual drinks for party guests—glass measuring cups are great for prepping multiple cocktails.

To make four classic Cosmopolitans: To the glass measuring cup, add 6 ounces of vodka, 2 ounces of orange liqueur, 2 ounces of cranberry juice and 2 ounces of fresh lime juice. Stir well, pop on the lid and refrigerate until cold and ready to serve.

Pour the cocktail into chilled martini glasses. Garnish each glass with a twist of lime (peel a thin strip of rind, avoiding any bitter white pith).

Steam Veggies

Cooking vegetables in the microwave is quick—and frees up a burner on the stove. Wash and cut fresh vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, carrots) into bite-sized pieces and place them into the glass measuring cup.

Season with salt and pepper, then add 2 tablespoons of water to create steam. Place the lid on the cup—make sure the lid’s wide opening is facing the spout or that the lid is slightly askew, to allow some steam to escape.

Microwave the vegetables on high for 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully remove the lid and check the vegetables for doneness. If the vegetables are not yet as tender as you’d like, continue microwaving in 1-minute increments.

Upgrade a Store-bought Dessert

Gussy up that supermarket angel food cake with homemade chocolate ganache: To the glass measuring cup, add ½ cup heavy cream and 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips. Microwave on medium for 30 seconds, then in 30-second intervals (stirring well after each interval), until the chocolate is melted and the ganache is smooth.

Let the ganache cool slightly for a few minutes (it will thicken a bit as it sits). Pour the warm ganache over the cake. Or put on the lid and store the ganache in the fridge until you need it, then remove the lid and reheat the ganache in the microwave in short intervals until it's smooth and pourable again.

Head to the OXO blog for more cocktails, desserts and brunch items you can make using the new 1-cup, 2-cup and 4-cup glass liquid measuring cups.