The Best Substitutes For Milk In Baking (And Other Recipes)

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Milk is a must-have ingredient in almost every dish, from one pot chicken alfredo to overnight oats. Whether you’re cooking or baking, milk is key.

When you’re cooking, milk is an important ingredient. You may be surprised by how often it’s used in baking recipes.

There are many recipes that call for soy milk, such as pancakes, cakes, and brownies. Milk is a staple ingredient in these types of dishes. You have a major problem when you reach for the milk in your fridge and realize that it’s not there. This is frustrating because now you’re going to need to go buy some more.

When I’m at a restaurant and they don’t have any milk, instead of asking for water or juice like everyone else does.

8 Easy Substitutes for When You Run Out of Milk

When you get to the bottom of a carton, it’s hard not to feel disappointed. But if your plan was cereal or cupcakes, there are plenty of milk alternatives for that situation! If pancakes were on the menu then soy is what you’re looking for.

1. Sour Cream or Yogurt

Sour cream and full-fat yogurt can be substituted for whole milk in a 1:1 ratio. Sour cream is especially good when used to replace buttermilk, while vanilla-flavored yogurt works well with sweet quick pieces of bread or cakes.

One of the most confusing parts about baking is what to do with sour cream and yogurt. Click To Tweet

They are thicker than milk, so if you’re worried that they will change your baked goods’ density or flavor too much then add a bit of vanilla extract for balance.

2. Half-and-Half

You know that cream you always have for your coffee? Well, it turns out to be a great substitute if you run out of milk. All you need is 3/4 cups half-and-half plus 1/4 cup water per cup of whole milk in the recipe.

3. Non-Dairy Milk

Milk is not the only substitute for milk. Non-dairy kinds of milk, such as oat, soy, or nut are also fine substitutes in certain recipes like mac and cheese — just be sure to use unsweetened versions of these popular products.

4. Evaporated Milk

Do you know how you bought a can of evaporated milk or evaporated milk substitute for that recipe but never got around to it? Well, now is the time! Evaporated milk has an almost identical taste to whole milk. Just combine 12 cups evaporated with water and voila — one pint of perfect-tasting substitute!

When you open a can of milk, put it in the fridge and drink all of its contents within three to four days. This is how long evaporated milk lasts before going bad. The same goes for powdered mixtures.

5. Almond Milk

Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative to traditional cow’s milk. It has less fat and can change the flavor of your baked goods, but it does work as an excellent substitute in baking recipes.

6. Soy Milk

Soy milk is a fantastic dairy-free alternative, and it can be substituted for cow’s milk in any recipe. Click To Tweet

Soy has a thicker consistency than other plant milk, so the end result will have a similar texture to your favorite baked goods. It also doesn’t add much flavor of its own when you use soy as an ingredient.

When you buy soy milk, it’s important to make sure that the label doesn’t say “added sugar” because then you’ll end up with too much sweetness.

7. Water and Butter

For the most part, pie crust or cookie dough only needs a couple of tablespoons of milk. However, if you need to make it without any liquids at all for some reason then just use water instead.

If you’re cooking up a recipe that calls for more milk, make sure to add some butter because fat content will change.

8. Nut Milk

You might be allergic to dairy, or just not a fan of the taste. Fortunately for you, there are plenty of milk substitutes that can replace milk in recipes with a little-to-no difference. If you’re going to use nut milk in your baking, be sure it doesn’t have any added sugar. Sugar can change the taste of baked goods and make them less appealing.

9. Coconut Milk

As opposed to milk, coconut milk has a distinct flavor that some people may not enjoy. It’s best used in things like curries and other sauces with distinctive flavors. While you can prepare a French or Italian dish with it, the flavor will be different than what was originally intended.

In addition, the difference between canned coconut milk and refrigerated ready-to-drink. The canned version is also heavier, with more fat content. Unless you want to waste time peeling and chopping, canned fruit is the way to go. Canned fruits are usually cheaper than fresh ones too.

What Difference Does Using a Milk Substitute Make?

Milk is an important ingredient in many baking recipes. It adds moisture to the recipe and also plays a role in how your baked goods will turn out by adding flavor from their fat content.

You can still bake with milk substitutes if you want, but they may change the final product. Some have higher fat content which might make your cake or muffins richer and even more moist than usual. Click To Tweet

A Final Thought

It is always a good idea to have an alternative for milk. There are so many milk substitutes available, which makes it easier if you don’t drink dairy or are lactose intolerant.

Beyond that, if you’re out of milk there are plenty of other dairy substitutes to choose from. We’ve only covered a few here but the choices are nearly endless.