From moistening batter or dough to adding the right amount of flavour to the dish – milk is essential in baking. But if you are running low on the supply, it should not stop you from cooking up that dish you’ve been planning to try your hands on for a while.
So, you can try out some alternative means to get experimental in the kitchen. There are numerous interesting substitutes you can opt for while preparing your confectionary items. Therefore, if you are wondering can I use yoghurt instead of milk in baking, this blog is for you.
Plain yoghurt works as a great substitute for milk while preparing baked goods. Maybe you are going for a warm muffin for the sweet-tooth of the family or surprising everyone with a mouth-watering cream cake. Yoghurt can be a part of your recipe for these diverse flavours that everyone is guaranteed to relish. Moreover, you can also replace milk with Greek yoghurt.
How Can I Use Yoghurt Instead Of Milk in Baking?
When replacing milk with yoghurt, remember that you can use plain yoghurt in an equal amount of milk as specified by the food recipe. Alternatively, while baking with Greek yoghurt, it is helpful to thin it out with some water before using it.
Replacing milk with yoghurt can also be an intended off-beat culinary measure taken from your end, as it gives your dish an extra edge. Yoghurt has a comparatively high level of acidity, which is beneficial in providing a special tangy flavour to the delicacies. So, the next time you prepare muffins or quick breads, you know how to make your oven-made creations stand apart from the rest.
This acidic nature of yoghurt, on the other hand, can turn your baked food pale-looking if not used properly. So, for every cup of yoghurt you use in your recipe, try adding up a half teaspoon of soda. This way, the food receives the intended brownish texture while baking. Moreover, these desserts also feel moist and richer in taste when you replace milk with yoghurt. Just remember to whisk this product properly to get a more liquid finish helpful for preparing the dish.
Yoghurt is also an interesting option when you are dealing with yeast dough, as it can provide baked goods with a sourdough-like flavour. You only need to increase the yeast slightly to ensure it works in tandem with the acidic environment of the yoghurt. Moreover, adding little sugar or using a beaten egg to brush the goods before putting them in oven ensures extra browning and a delicious finish for your dish.
Notably, you can also use drinkable yoghurt called kefir in your dishes for a 1:1 replacement for milk in your baked goods’ preparation.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Yoghurt In Your Recipe?
Yoghurt is a highly nutritious food component, rich in vitamins, calcium, protein and probiotics. So, there are a number of positive impacts of adding it to your diet. For example, the live culture of yoghurt is crucial in maintaining your gut health. It also ensures a lowered risk of digestive problems.
Interestingly studies have suggested that yoghurt can potentially be helpful against type 2 diabetes. Some researchers have also suggested that probiotic bacteria can offer protection to children and pregnant women from heavy metal exposure.
Moreover, the presence of calcium in yoghurt is beneficial for your teeth and bones, as it maintains your bone density and strength. Additionally, senior members of your household can reduce the risk of osteoporosis if yoghurt is part of your culinary choices.
When you are using Greek yoghurt for your dessert, it can positively impact your muscles too. This product’s protein-to-carbohydrate ratio effectively provides your body with the amino acid it needs. Additionally, zinc and other minerals present in yoghurt help improve your immunity system. So, you can rest assured of staying in the pink of your health.
Yoghurt is also helpful in ensuring that your blood pressure level stays stable. Potassium in yoghurt can reduce the excess sodium in your body. Consequently, you also face a decreased risk of heart issues.
What to Look For When Buying Yoghurt?
Whether as an ingredient for your confectionary items or a component of your daily diet, yoghurt remains a great choice for your comprehensive wellbeing. So when you are hitting the shopping market or opening up your favourite e-commerce portal, ensure that you opt for the finest product available.
As a dairy product, yoghurt comes in different variants such as whole-milk, low-fat and fat-free. For a minimal calorie alternative, consider opting for low-fat yoghurts. Additionally, do not forget to check the product labelling before you’ve finalised the transactions. Food products often contain added artificial flavours, which can be counterproductive for your health. So refer to the packaging label, as it would help you identify products hot heat treated after culturing.
You can choose yoghurts with additional healthy fillers present in them. A number of manufacturers produce these products with added whey protein or milk solids for extra nutrition. Moreover, pectin or gelatine is often added to stabilise yoghurts. As these help lower your LDL cholesterol level, opting for yoghurt with these elements is an excellent choice for your heart.
Furthermore, try to look for yoghurts with live cultures when shopping for them. You can refer to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) seal to ensure which products fall under this criterion. The ‘Live And Active Cultures’ seal from the IDFA symbolises that the yoghurt contained 100 million cultures (bacteria) per gram at the testing time.
On that note, try to avoid the products which are heat treated after adding the probiotics, as it kills these helpful bacteria. So refer to the label of the packaging, as it would help you identify products hot heat treated after culturing.
How To Tell If Your Baked Good With Yoghurt Is Fully Cooked Through?
A low oven temperature or insufficient baking are some of the reasons why your confectionary products can be underbaked. To ensure that they are up to the mark with your trendsetting culinary vision, you can try out the inspection method referred to as a toothpick test.
This test applies to an array of baked goods like quick breads, cakes, muffins and brownies. All you need to do is simply stick a toothpick, knife or cake-tester in the middle of the product. If it comes out clean, then that is emblematic of the product being done.
You can try out additional checking methods to ensure that the product in question is done. For example, you can tap the confectionary lightly in the centre of it with your finger. If done properly, it would feel firm and slightly spongy when tapped.
Another sure-fire indicator of your kitchen skills coming to fruition is the baked goods’ colour and texture. A uniform brown surface with a matte texture signifies a well-cooked batter.
Alternatively, a golden brownish colour only around the edges of white or yellow cakes is a warning sign of the item not being fully prepared. Moreover, if the batter looks shiny because of the butter or oil content, it is most likely still raw. In such scenarios, reduce the oven temperature and continue the baking procedure.
Can You Use Yoghurt To Prepare Other Items?
In this blog, you have got a detailed answer to your questions regarding can I use yoghurt instead of milk in baking. If you are looking to give a bit of zing to the other everyday dishes, you can shake things up by creating recipes, such as-
- Coconut Yoghurt Waffles
- Greek Yoghurt Zucchini Bread
- Turkish Fried Eggs in Herbed Yoghurt
- Greek Yoghurt Coleslaw
- Garlic-Yoghurt Baked Chicken
- Greek Yoghurt Parmesan Tilapia
- Avocado Greek Yoghurt Ranch Dressing
- Chicken Biryani with Cilantro Yoghurt Sauce
- Peanut Butter Yoghurt Fluff Bowl
- Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Yoghurt and Honey
So go ahead and surprise others with your mouth-watering delicacies!