🥛 Dairy

Buttermilk Substitutes for Baking: Rise & Texture Guide

Find the best substitutes for buttermilk in baking cakes, biscuits, and bread. Learn proper ratios and techniques for perfect rise and texture.

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Quick Answer

For baking buttermilk, the best substitutes are Milk + Vinegar, Milk + Lemon Juice, and Greek Yogurt + Milk. Use 1:1 ratio and follow these baking-specific techniques for optimal results.

Best Substitutes

Milk + Vinegar

1:1 (1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar per cup)

Milk with vinegar provides similar acidity and leavening power to buttermilk in baking. Perfect for cakes, biscuits, and when you need the acid to react with baking soda for proper rise.

Best for:

cakesbiscuitswhen you need leaveningacid reactionmost baking recipes

Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon white vinegar per cup of buttermilk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles. Use whole milk for best results in baking.

Milk + Lemon Juice

1:1 (1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice per cup)

Milk with lemon juice provides similar acidity and leavening power to buttermilk in baking. Good for when you want the acid reaction with a slightly different flavor profile.

Best for:

cakesbiscuitswhen you need leaveninglemon flavormost baking recipes

Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice per cup of buttermilk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles. Use whole milk for best results.

Greek Yogurt + Milk

1:1 (1/2 cup Greek yogurt + 1/2 cup milk per cup)

Greek yogurt with milk provides similar thickness and moisture to buttermilk in baking. Perfect for when you want the creamy texture and added protein benefits.

Best for:

cakesmuffinswhen you want moistureprotein benefitsmost baking recipes

Mix equal parts Greek yogurt and milk per cup of buttermilk. Use plain Greek yogurt for best results. Adjust milk amount for desired consistency.

Sour Cream + Milk

1:1 (1/2 cup sour cream + 1/2 cup milk per cup)

Sour cream with milk provides similar tang and richness to buttermilk in baking. Good for when you want the buttermilk character with added richness and moisture.

Best for:

cakesmuffinswhen you want richnessmoisturemost baking recipes

Mix equal parts sour cream and milk per cup of buttermilk. Use full-fat sour cream for best results. Adjust milk amount for desired consistency.

Kefir

1:1

Kefir provides similar tang and probiotic benefits to buttermilk in baking. Good for when you want the authentic fermented dairy character with health benefits.

Best for:

cakesbreadwhen you want probioticsfermented flavormost baking recipes

Use in equal amounts by volume. Kefir has a similar tang and consistency to buttermilk. Choose plain kefir for best results in baking.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For buttermilk in cakes, use milk + vinegar for the best acid reaction with baking soda
  • 💡When making buttermilk biscuits, use milk + lemon juice for proper rise and flakiness
  • 💡For buttermilk in muffins, use Greek yogurt + milk for moisture and tenderness
  • 💡In buttermilk bread, use kefir for authentic fermented flavor
  • 💡For buttermilk in cornbread, use sour cream + milk for rich, moist texture
  • 💡When making buttermilk pancakes, use milk + vinegar for light, fluffy results
  • 💡For buttermilk in scones, use Greek yogurt + milk for tender, crumbly texture
  • 💡In buttermilk waffles, use milk + lemon juice for crispy exterior and tender interior

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best substitute for buttermilk in baking?

Milk + vinegar is the best substitute for buttermilk in baking. Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon white vinegar per cup of buttermilk and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of buttermilk in baking?

Yes, Greek yogurt + milk works well as a buttermilk substitute in baking. Mix equal parts Greek yogurt and milk per cup of buttermilk.

How do I substitute buttermilk in cakes?

For cakes, use milk + vinegar for the best acid reaction with baking soda, or Greek yogurt + milk for moisture and tenderness.

What can I use instead of buttermilk in biscuits?

For biscuits, use milk + lemon juice for proper rise and flakiness, or sour cream + milk for rich, tender texture.

Can I use sour cream instead of buttermilk in baking?

Yes, sour cream + milk works as a buttermilk substitute in baking. Mix equal parts sour cream and milk per cup of buttermilk.

Summary

Find the best substitutes for buttermilk in baking cakes, biscuits, and bread. Learn proper ratios and techniques for perfect rise and texture.