• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Helen
    • About Helen
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Virtual Baking Classes
  • My Books
    • Baking as a Business
    • The New Pastry Cook
  • Recipe List
  • Baking Information
    • Baking Information Index
  • Follow Helen
  • Subscribe

Pastries Like a Pro logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Baking Classes
  • About Helen
  • Subscribe
  • St. Patrick's Day
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Baking Classes
    • About Helen
    • Subscribe
    • St. Patrick's Day
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Blog Index

    Published: Apr 26, 2019 · Modified: Sep 23, 2022 by Helen S Fletcher · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

    The Beauty of Buttermilk in Baking

    The Beauty of ButtermilkButtermilk is what we call a “rounder” in food service.  It is a person, or in this case an ingredient, that can do almost everything. Buttermilk makes unbelievably tender pancakes, the flakiest biscuits, superior bread, and extraordinarily moist cakes.  It can do all of this because of the presence of lactic acid.

    How Buttermilk is Made

    While buttermilk was originally the milky liquid left from churning cream into butter. Today it is made using low fat or skim milk to which active cultures are added and heated. The cultures convert some of the sugar in the milk into lactic acid.  Because of this acid, the milk proteins are not as soluble and cause clabbering or thickening of the milk.  The lactic acid also causes tartness in the buttermilk.

    Buttermilk also increases the leavening of baked goods.  However, it is important to remember that because buttermilk is acidic and that baking soda is needed to produce carbon dioxide gas leading to increased lightness in products made with buttermilk.

    how to bake better custard
    Baking gets better when you subscribe

    Baking gets better when you subscribe to receive this PDF on getting the most out of baking including information on equipment, ingredients and baking equipment.

    Types of ButtermilkLiquid and dry buttermilk for The Beauty of Buttermilk

    While liquid buttermilk can be found in the dairy section of a grocery store, there is also a dried buttermilk powder.  While it can’t be reconstituted into liquid buttermilk it works well for baking.  I use is it in my Croissant recipe, which a Frenchman once proclaimed it the best he had ever eaten.

    When using buttermilk, always shake it before pouring it out as the milk solids usually sink to the bottom of the carton.  It lasts a very long time, up to a month, in the refrigerator.

     Substitutions for Buttermilk in Baking

     While none of these match the taste of pure buttermilk, these substitutes can work when baking to a more or less degree.  However, if making ranch dressing for marinating chicken, you need to use the real thing.

    1. Combine 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of whole or low-fat milk. Let sit for up to 10 minutes when it will separate and thicken.  The acid in the lemon juice or vinegar emulate the cultures used to make buttermilk.  In reality, this is “sour milk”.
    2. Plain yogurt can be used. To make one cup, combine ¼ cup milk or water with ¾ cup plain, non-sweetened yogurt.
    3. Because the cream of tartar is an acid, whisk 1 ¾ teaspoon cream of tartar into 1 cup of milk.

    I am including several recipes using buttermilk.  Each of these is made better with buttermilk.

    Buttermilk BreadButtermilk Bread for The Beauty of buttermilk

    I have made this bread for over 40 years since my son brought it home when he was in the third grade. While the paper on which the original recipe was written, I  still have it with Dirk’s notes on it. It is my favorite everyday bread.  After the dough is made and risen once, it can be frozen unbaked.  Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and proceed as instructed.

    3 tablespoons butter, melted
    ½ cup buttermilk
    1 ½ tablespoons sugar
    1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
    ½ cup hot water
    2 ½ cups bread flour (350 grams, 12 ounces)
    1 ¼ teaspoon salt
    ¼ teaspoon baking soda

    Whisk together the melted butter, buttermilk, sugar, and yeast in a mixing bowl.  Add the hot water and let rest for about 5 minutes. Fit the mixer with a dough hook if you have one.

    In the meantime, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda.

    Add the dry ingredients and beat on low to combine everything, then turn to medium or whatever your mixer suggests and beat for 3 minutes.  Spray a large container with cooking spray and turn the dough into it. Cover with plastic wrap.  Set in a warm place and allow to rise for about 1 ½ hours or until doubled in bulk. At this point, it can be frozen if desired. See above.

    Spray an 8x4 ½ inch loaf pan with cooking spray.  Punch dough down and pat into an 8”x13” rectangle.  Roll up from the 8” side and place in the loaf pan.  Flatten somewhat  Let rise for about 45 minutes until doubled.

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (350 degrees if the pan is glass or dark metal).  Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until nicely browned and it sounds hollow when thumped.

    Fluffiest PancakesButttermilk pancakes for The Beauty of Buttermilk

    These are truly the lightest and best pancakes I have ever made.  I doubt I will ever make anything but these again.  So that Mike and I can eat together, I cover a baking pan with foil and place the cooked pancake cakes on it.  I cover the pan lightly with foil and place them in the oven set on the lowest heat where they will stay hot.

    1 ½ cups all purpose flour (210 grams or 7 ⅓ ounces)
    2 tablespoons sugar (25 grams or 1 scant ounce)
    1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
    ½ teaspoon baking soda
    ½ teaspoon salt
    1 ¾ cup buttermilk
    1 egg
    2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    1 teaspoon vanilla

    Whisk the dry ingredients in a medium-size bowl.

    Measure the buttermilk in at least a 2 cup container.  Whisk in the egg, vegetable oil and vanilla.

    Pour into the dry ingredients and whisk together.

    Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.  To see if it is hot enough, sprinkle a few drops of water on it.  If it dances around the pan or griddle and then evaporates, it is ready.

    Add a bit of butter or spray the pan.  Ladle about scant ¼ cup batter for each pancake, spreading it gently into a 4-inch circle.

    Flip the pancake when bubbles appear on top and the edges look dry.  Cook another couple of minutes until lightly browned in brown in the center.

    Serve with syrup, fresh fruit, fruit sauce or simply dusted with powdered sugar.

    Makes about 12 pancakes. If we have leftovers, I freeze them. I place them on a foil covered baking sheet, cover them with foil and put them in a 350°F oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until piping hot.

    Grandma’s Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits

    Go here for these scrumptious biscuits.  The unbaked biscuits can be frozen.  Add a few extra minutes when baking.

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    More Blog Index

    • Toasted coconut and macadamia nuts are the basis of these heart shaped shorbreads on a lattice plate over purple.
      Tropical Shortbread Cookies
    • A fudgy brownie on the bottom with a chocolate and butterscotch chip cookie on top.
      Brownie+Cookie=Easy Brookie Recipe
    • Basic muffins are shown plain and with sanding sugar glistening on top.
      A Perfectly Easy Basic Muffin Mix
    • Dulche de leche cookies with the five finishes - pecan, pecan and sugar, plain chocolate, plain cookie, with sanding sugar
      Dulce de Leche Cookies - Your Way

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. JudyW says

      May 01, 2019 at 9:23 am

      I noticed the amount of yeast is 1 1/2 teaspoons. Is that the correct amount or should it be 2 1/4 teaspoons. I've never made bread where it calls for the smaller amount. Thank you.

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        May 01, 2019 at 5:35 pm

        Hi Judy, the 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast is correct. The recipe was cut down from a 2 loaf version that used 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) of yeast.

        Reply
    2. Lynne Cameron says

      April 30, 2019 at 10:51 am

      Have you ever tried kefir in place of buttermilk? I always have kefir but would need to look for buttermilk, which I know is always in the supermarket, but why not use what I have? Thanks

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        April 30, 2019 at 11:39 am

        I have never tried it because I always have buttermilk but don't have kefir. No idea if it would or not.

        Reply
    3. CNNY says

      April 29, 2019 at 3:43 pm

      Thanks for the post. I'm a big fan of buttermilk in baking, it creates a wonderful texture in cakes. For your bread recipe - what is the purpose of the baking soda? Is it for browning? Thanks.

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        April 29, 2019 at 10:48 pm

        I have no idea why baking soda is there. There would be no reason the bread wouldn't brown without it. This is how the recipe came to me so I just follow it.

        Reply
    4. Lynette Pruett says

      April 26, 2019 at 5:10 pm

      Another comment I have is about your pancake recipe. I’ve been making pancakes from this basic recipe since my aunt gave it to me soon after I was married in 1970. Gee...can it have been that long!?! At first I made the pancakes with all-purpose flour, but by 1972 I was transitioning to using almost exclusively whole wheat flour, and I’ve found that the pancakes made with this recipe are just as light and fluffy when made with whole grain flour as when made with all-purpose. Sometimes I do need to use a bit more buttermilk, depending on how humid the air is in different seasons and therefore how relatively "wet" or "dry" the flour is. One other tip that I find useful in making pancakes: I use my #20 Vollrath disher to dip and deposit the batter on my griddle. It’s quick and easy, and all of the pancakes come out the same size! Our family loves these pancakes! And I agree that there is no reason to use any other pancake recipe...it’s hard to improve on perfection!

      I make a lot of yeast bread, and I think I will try making your Buttermilk Bread with whole wheat to see what the results are. Have you ever made it with whole grain flour?

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        April 27, 2019 at 7:53 am

        Hi Lynette, thanks for your comments. I have made the bread in the past with whole wheat - either the white or regular works fine. I use a ladle for sauces on ice cream sundaes from my father's drugstore. Any consistent measure, even a 1/4 to 1/3 cup measuring cup works well. I think you are right about the cardboard being porous. Good tip.

        Reply
    5. Bruce says

      April 26, 2019 at 2:01 pm

      I agree with Lynette. I wish the dried buttermilk came in a smaller container, though, because it clumps very badly after a while, making it hard to work with.

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        April 26, 2019 at 3:06 pm

        Hi Bruce - I never had that problem but I didn't refrigerate mine. Do you? You could probably push it through a strainer or process it. Maybe process it, lay it out flat on a parchment covered sheet pan, freeze it and store it that way. Just a guess. I haven't tried it.

        Reply
    6. Karen Aamodt says

      April 26, 2019 at 10:05 am

      Hi Helen,

      Thank you for a wonderful post; I will bake Dirk's 3rd grade bread recipe this weekend. I'm sur eit will be wonderful if you've been baking it for 40 years.

      Karen

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        April 26, 2019 at 12:09 pm

        Hi Karen - You're going to love it. It lasts for days in a plastic bag but we eat it too fast to see just how long it lasts!!

        Reply
    7. Lucie C Conner says

      April 26, 2019 at 5:50 am

      I live in the Country of Panama and I bring back from the States the Dried Buttermilk. In your recipes above, how would I use this buttermilk, do I use as is and increase liquid, or make it up per the package and then follow your recipe?
      I love your baking and tips, thank you.

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        April 26, 2019 at 12:08 pm

        Hi Lucie - I have not used dried buttermilk in a recipe calling for buttermilk. It won't be as thick and it may change the recipe. My suggestion is to use one of the three substitutes as they all have the requisite thickness.

        Reply
        • Lynette Pruett says

          April 26, 2019 at 1:10 pm

          Helen, I keep dried buttermilk powder in my pantry all the time, for the rare occasions when I don’t have fresh in the fridge. I have found that if you measure and mix the dry powder as required for the liquid ingredient in the recipe with the other dry ingredients, and then mix the amount of water with the other liquid ingredients in the recipe, when you combine dry with liquid you get a very good approximation of using fresh buttermilk. It doesn’t work so well that I never bother to keep fresh on hand, but it certainly is a very acceptable substitute. I’ve been very pleased!

          Reply
          • hfletcher says

            April 26, 2019 at 3:03 pm

            Thanks for the info Lynette - do you keep yours in the fridge or on the pantry shelf? I read it should be refrigerated after opening but I never did. It is nice to have on hand though. I agree about dry to dry and wet to wet. That's what I did with the croissant.

            Reply
            • Lynette Pruett says

              April 26, 2019 at 4:48 pm

              I do keep mine in the refrigerator, and I’ve never had it get hard clumps. I actually transfer it from the can, which is made of a porous cardboard material and seems to me to have the possibility of absorbing moisture, to an OXO POP container, which are airtight and don’t absorb any moisture whatsoever. So that’s my method, and it works for me!

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Helen! Being a self-taught baker and owning a bakery for over 25 years, I found many ways to make baking more successful and less intimidating. Even busy people can bake as in many cases, recipes can be done over days. The goal is to make your baking life easier, more enjoyable, with great outcomes on a consistent basis.

    More about me →

    St. Patrick's Day

    • Irish Apple Cake dusted with powdered sugar on a white and green tray
      Irish Apple Cake
    • A slice of Guinness Cake sits on a gold and white plate.
      Easy Chocolate Guinness Cake for Father’s Day
    • A white chocolate glaze on top of the Bailey's Cheesecake sitting on a dark chocolate crust. The cheesecake sits on a white plate with a fork on the plate.
      The Definitive Bailey's Cheesecake
    • A Warm Lava Cake sits on an antique plate with a spoon and coral napking and Bailey Sauce in the background.
      Warm Chocolate Lava Cakes with Bailey's Sauce
    • A tray of breakfast cookies with a blue striped glass of milk.
      Versatile Breakfast Cookies
    • An individual Gingerbread with Orange Sauce on a white plate with dots.
      Gingerbread with Orange Sauce

    Subscribe to receive our free ebook

    SUBSCRIBE

    Popular Recipes

    • Baked or Fried Doughnut
      Fried or Baked Doughnuts - Your Choice
    • Pan Size Conversions
      Pan Size Conversions
    • Gateau Breton
      Gateau Breton
    • Flavorings as Used in Baking and Pastry
    • flour for The Frustrating Facts of Measuring Flour
      The Frustrating Facts about Measuring Flour
    • Layers of laminated dough
      A Discussion of Laminated Doughs

    Available Now

    Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, as well as other sites and in book stores.
    AUTOGRAPHED COPIES ARE AVAILABLE
    Click here to purchase an autographed copy.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Helen

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Flickr
    • Instagram

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 PASTRIES LIKE A PRO