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Post insightWeighing flour instead of using cups eliminates the most common baking failure
A cup of flour can weigh anywhere from 120g (spooned and leveled) to 180g (scooped and packed). That 50% variance is the single biggest source of dense, dry, or flat baked goods. Professional bakers weigh everything. A kitchen scale costs $12 and eliminates the variable entirely. The standard: 1 cup all-purpose flour = 120g. If a recipe only gives volume measurements, use this conversion.
Room temperature butter means 65-68°F — not just soft to the touch
Creaming butter and sugar properly requires butter at exactly 65-68°F. Too cold and it will not incorporate air. Too warm (above 70°F) and the fat melts, creating a greasy, flat result. The finger test: you should be able to press your thumb in and leave an impression without the butter squishing through. Cut it into cubes 30-45 minutes before use. Microwaving creates hot spots that partially melt the fat.