How to Double a Recipe
Written by Coco Liang, Registered Dietitian
There are many reasons why you may need to double a recipe. Maybe the recipe makes enough for 4 but you are a family of 8! Or, maybe you want to make enough for dinner AND to pack for lunch the next day. Either way, learning how to double a recipe is an important skill that can help you save time and energy (1).
But first… how do you read a recipe?
Think of recipes like instructions manuals. They are helpful tools that give you a lot of information, such as: ingredients needed, steps to make the dish, notes on substitutions, and more! Read the whole recipe first before starting to cook (2,3). This helps you check how much time is needed to make the recipe, whether you have all ingredients or equipment, and understand the steps to prepare the dish. Here is a breakdown of the different parts of a recipe:
Title and Description
The title and description gives you more context about the recipe. It may tell you where the dish comes from, describe how it tastes, or provide other helpful tips (2,3).
Total servings
The total servings tells you how much the recipe will make. It can help you decide whether you want to make more or less of the recipe (2,3).
Ingredients
The ingredients section lets you know all the ingredients and amount needed for the recipe. Pay attention to whether the ingredient has preparation instructions. For example, in the sample recipe below it says: 1 ripe mango, sliced. Also, if you need to substitute an ingredient, make a plan before starting to cook (2,3).
Equipment
The equipment section tells you what you need to make the recipe. For example, measuring cups and spoons, pan sizes, or appliances like ovens or blenders. Again, check to see if you have all the equipment before starting to cook, and make a plan if you don’t have everything (2,3).
Directions
The directions guide you how to make the recipe step by step. It may let you know how long steps take or describe how the dish should look. Some recipes may also include “subrecipes”, where you need to prepare a certain part like a sauce or dressing to use for this recipe (3).
Additional notes
The additional notes section can tell you information that complements the recipe. For example, how to store and reheat food, nutrition information, or ingredient substitutions (2).
Review your measuring tools
To double your recipe, you need to know how much is in your original recipe. This chart shows you which tools to use for measuring the right amount (4).
Things to consider when doubling recipes
When doubling a recipe, some things are as easy as multiplying by 2, but this is not always the case. Here are some things to consider when doubling a recipe:
Ingredients
It depends on what dish you are making. You can be more flexible with measurements when cooking. But sauces and baking require more accuracy (4).
Base ingredients: simply multiply by 2. Examples: beans, vegetables, flour, nuts (5,6)
Flavour components: multiply by 1.5, then do a taste test to see if you need to keep adding more. Examples: spices, herbs, salt, pepper (1,5,6)
Leavening agents (ingredients that help baked goods rise):
Baking powder: 1-1 ¼ teaspoon for every cup of all purpose flour (7)
Baking soda: ¼ teaspoon for every cup of flour AND ¼ teaspoon extra for every cup of acidic ingredient such as buttermilk, and sour cream (7)
Always write down your new measurements so you don’t accidentally use the wrong amount (1,6)!
Equipment
Make sure you are using mixing bowls, pots, and pans that are big enough to hold double your recipe. Consider separating your doubled recipe into 2 batches if you don’t have cookware that is big enough. (1)
Cook Time
You may need to adjust cooking time if you have doubled your recipe. Check if your dish is ready at the time your original recipe says. Then check again every 5 minutes until it is done (1). A dish may be done when it’s at the right temperature, or your toothpick comes out clean for baked goods. Deeper pots and pans may take longer to cook. Some baked goods like cookies and muffins don’t need to adjust baking time but may need more batches (1,6).
Ready, set, double!
You have all the tips and tools to start doubling recipes. Here are 2 examples to help you apply what you learned, using summerlunch+ recipes!
Butter Paneer
Read the full recipe at the link above.
Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
Read the full recipe at the link above.
*baking powder should be 1 tsp for every cup of flour (7). This recipe happens to have 1 cup of flour, therefore doubled is 2 cups of flour and 2 tsp baking powder.
To sum it all up
Good work! You have learned how to double recipes. You reviewed the components of a recipe, different measuring tools for certain ingredients, and ways to adjust ingredients, equipment, and cook times. Use these tips as a general guide as there may be special situations. Let’s get cooking!
References
KitchenAid. (n.d.). Doubling a recipe: A how-to guide to scaling recipes. KitchenAid. https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/pinch-of-help/doubling-a-recipe
Nutrition Services. (2023, May). How to Use a Recipe. Alberta Health Service. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/nutrition/if-nfs-how-to-use-a-recipe.pdf
Denn, R. (2017, October 13). Cooking Basics: How to Read A Recipe. allrecipes. https://www.allrecipes.com/article/cooking-basics-how-to-read-a-recipe/
Health Canada. (2026, March 31). Measure ingredients like a pro. Canada’s Food Guide.https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-guide/eating-support/kitchen/cooking-skills/measure-ingredients-pro.html
Health Canada. (2026, March 30). Adjusting recipes to meet your needs. Canada’s Food Guide.https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-guide/eating-support/kitchen/cooking-skills/adjusting-recipes-meet-your-needs.html
All recipes double Sklar, J. (2023, February 6). How to Successfully Double a Recipe. allrecipes. https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-double-recipes/
Mathews, J. (2023, J). The Recipe Mistake That Is Ruining Your Doubled Baking Recipes. mashed. https://www.mashed.com/1162211/the-recipe-mistake-that-is-ruining-your-doubled-baking-recipes/