Dessert Spoon to Tablespoon Converter
Need to convert dessert spoons to tablespoons for your recipe? This converter makes it simple. In the UK, a dessert spoon holds 10 ml whilst a tablespoon contains 15 ml. That means one dessert spoon equals two-thirds of a tablespoon.
Quick Conversions
Dessert Spoon to Tablespoon Conversion Table
This table shows common dessert spoon measurements converted to tablespoons. Keep it handy when following recipes that use different measuring systems.
| Dessert Spoons | Tablespoons (UK) | Millilitres |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.33 | 5 ml |
| 1 | 0.67 | 10 ml |
| 1.5 | 1 | 15 ml |
| 2 | 1.33 | 20 ml |
| 3 | 2 | 30 ml |
| 4 | 2.67 | 40 ml |
| 5 | 3.33 | 50 ml |
| 6 | 4 | 60 ml |
| 8 | 5.33 | 80 ml |
| 10 | 6.67 | 100 ml |
| 15 | 10 | 150 ml |
| 20 | 13.33 | 200 ml |
Formula and Steps
Converting dessert spoons to tablespoons is straightforward once you know the relationship between these two units. Here’s how it works.
Basic Formula:
Tablespoons = Dessert Spoons × 0.6667
Or more simply:
Tablespoons = Dessert Spoons × 2/3
Step-by-Step Conversion
Follow these steps to convert any dessert spoon measurement:
- Take your dessert spoon measurement
- Multiply it by 0.6667 (or divide by 1.5)
- Round to two decimal places for practicality
- The result is your tablespoon measurement
Example: If a recipe calls for 6 dessert spoons of sugar, multiply 6 × 0.6667 = 4 tablespoons.
Spoon Measurements in the UK
British kitchens traditionally use three main spoon measurements. Each serves a different purpose in recipes and cooking. The dessert spoon sits between the teaspoon and tablespoon in size.
| Spoon Type | Volume (ml) | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Teaspoon | 5 ml | 1/3 tablespoon |
| Dessert Spoon | 10 ml | 2/3 tablespoon |
| Tablespoon | 15 ml | 3 teaspoons |
Note: Modern UK recipes typically use metric measurements. A standard metric tablespoon equals 15 ml, whilst older imperial tablespoons measured 17.76 ml. Most contemporary cookbooks and online recipes follow the metric standard.
British vs American Spoons
Spoon measurements differ between countries, which can cause confusion when following international recipes. Here’s what you need to know about British and American spoons.
In the UK, the dessert spoon is a standard measurement that doesn’t exist in American cooking. American recipes rarely mention dessert spoons, relying instead on teaspoons and tablespoons. When converting American recipes for British kitchens, remember that 2 teaspoons equal 1 dessert spoon.
| Measurement | UK Volume | US Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Teaspoon | 5 ml | 4.93 ml |
| Dessert Spoon | 10 ml | Not used |
| Tablespoon | 15 ml | 14.79 ml |
The difference is small enough that it rarely affects home cooking. However, precise baking might require exact measurements, especially for recipes involving yeast, baking powder, or salt.
Kitchen Conversions Reference
These conversions help when you’re working with different recipe formats or don’t have the exact measuring spoon you need.
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| Dessert spoons | Tablespoons | 0.6667 |
| Dessert spoons | Teaspoons | 2 |
| Dessert spoons | Millilitres | 10 |
| Tablespoons | Dessert spoons | 1.5 |
| Tablespoons | Teaspoons | 3 |
| Tablespoons | Millilitres | 15 |
Practical Examples from British Kitchens
Here are some everyday situations where you might need to convert dessert spoons to tablespoons.
Making custard: A traditional custard recipe calls for 3 dessert spoons of sugar. That converts to 2 tablespoons, which you’re more likely to have in your measuring set.
Baking scones: If your grandmother’s recipe asks for 4 dessert spoons of milk, you’ll need 2.67 tablespoons (roughly 2 and 2/3 tablespoons).
Salad dressing: When a recipe needs 2 dessert spoons of olive oil, use 1.33 tablespoons (or about 1 and 1/3 tablespoons) for the same amount.
Porridge preparation: Some prefer 1.5 dessert spoons of honey in their morning porridge, which equals exactly 1 tablespoon.
FAQs
How many tablespoons equal one dessert spoon?
One dessert spoon equals 0.67 tablespoons, or two-thirds of a tablespoon. To put it another way, you’d need 1.5 dessert spoons to make one full tablespoon.
Can I use a tablespoon instead of a dessert spoon?
Yes, but adjust the quantity. For every dessert spoon in your recipe, use two-thirds of a tablespoon. Alternatively, use 1 tablespoon and remove about one-third of it.
Are dessert spoons still used in modern British recipes?
Dessert spoons appear less frequently in contemporary recipes, which tend to favour metric measurements like millilitres. However, older cookbooks and traditional family recipes often specify dessert spoons, making conversions helpful.
What’s the difference between a dessert spoon and a soup spoon?
A dessert spoon is a standard 10 ml measurement. A soup spoon is larger and designed for eating soup rather than measuring ingredients. Soup spoons vary in size and aren’t reliable for recipe measurements.
Do I need special measuring spoons for dessert spoons?
Most modern measuring spoon sets don’t include dessert spoons. They typically feature teaspoons (5 ml) and tablespoons (15 ml). You can measure a dessert spoon by using 2 teaspoons or by filling a tablespoon two-thirds full.
How do dessert spoons compare to metric measurements?
One dessert spoon equals exactly 10 millilitres. This makes conversion to metric straightforward – simply multiply the number of dessert spoons by 10 to get millilitres.
Why does the UK use dessert spoons?
Dessert spoons emerged from British imperial measurements and traditional dining customs. The dessert spoon originally referred to the cutlery used for eating puddings and desserts, which happened to hold a convenient amount for cooking measurements.
Will using tablespoons instead of dessert spoons ruin my recipe?
Using a full tablespoon when a recipe calls for a dessert spoon means you’re adding 50% more of that ingredient. For ingredients like salt or baking powder, this could significantly affect your results. For less critical ingredients like vanilla extract or oil, the difference might be less noticeable.