5 Best Yogurt Substitutes in Baking

Have you been wondering what yogurt can do for your baked goods?

Are you out of yogurt and need a substitute? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Learn about the wonders of yogurt in baking, as well as five alternative ingredients that make for great substitutes.

What Does Yogurt Do in Baking?

Yogurt is a versatile ingredient in the kitchen which can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

In baking, yogurt not only adds moisture and richness to the final product but helps leaven baked goods as well.

This makes it an ideal choice for cakes, muffins, quick breads, and more.

It also has a distinctive flavor that lends to the final taste of the baked product.

Baking with yogurt is a surprisingly simple yet exciting way to bring great flavour and texture to your recipes.

Beyond its traditional role in desserts like cakes, cupcakes, muffins and more, yogurt can also be used to make delicious savoury dishes.

Whether you’re working with plain Greek yogurt or a flavoured variety such as vanilla or coconut, it’s easy to add an elevated touch of tangy goodness in all sorts of recipes.

The result is rich and creamy taste that will take your meals beyond ordinary – without extra preparation or added cost.

When using yogurt in baking, measure out the amount needed from the container first; don’t use a scoop from inside the container as this will not give accurate measurements for your recipe.

Plus, using plain rather than flavoured varieties allows you to completely tailor the flavour of your dishes, guaranteeing perfectly customised results every time.

5 Best Yogurt Substitutes in Baking

However, substituting another ingredient for yogurt in baking recipes can save time and money.

Depending on the type of yogurt in your recipe, you may want to consider one of these five alternatives:

1 – Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a great way to replace yogurt in baking recipes.

It is made from churning cream to separate the butterfat from the liquid, which then ferments, producing the slightly sour taste of buttermilk.

This can be used as a one-to-one substitution for yogurt in baking recipes.

Depending on the recipe, you may want to thin out the buttermilk with some water or other liquid.

For added richness and flavor, try substituting half of the buttermilk for cream or half-and-half.

2 – Sour Cream

Sour cream is a type of dairy product made from fermented cream and has a slightly sour flavor.

It is also an excellent replacement for yogurt in baking as it adds moisture and adds tartness, although not as much as yogurt does.

Substituting sour cream for yogurt typically requires a 1:1 ratio; however, you may want to add a little more sugar or other sweetener since the tartness of sour cream isn’t as strong.

Sour cream makes cakes and muffins incredibly tender, while adding richness to breads and scones.

Just like with yogurt, it’s important to measure the amount accurately.

3 – Crème Fraiche

Crème fraiche is a thick, lightly soured cream product from France.

It has a richer taste than plain cream and can provide a nice, subtle tang to dishes like scones or quick breads.

It also makes for a creamy topping for berry pies.

The high fat content of crème fraiche helps give baked goods the right texture so they remain moist and tender.

To substitute crème fraiche in place of yogurt, reduce the amount of liquid ingredients by 2-3 tablespoons.

Crème fraiche will hold up better under heat than yogurt when used in dishes that are cooked or baked, so it is an excellent choice for making savory dishes like pasta sauces and casseroles.

4 – Greek Yogurt

Greek Yogurt has become extremely popular for its creaminess and high protein content.

Greek yogurt is made by straining regular yogurt to remove some of the liquid whey, leaving a thick and creamy product.

It works well as a subsitute for other ingredients in baking, such as cream cheese, sour cream, and buttermilk.

Greek yogurt has a tangy flavor that can be balanced by adding sugar or honey to your recipes.

When using Greek yogurt in baking, be sure to choose one that is plain and not flavored to avoid any unexpected flavors in baked goods.

To get the best results when substituting Greek yogurt for another item, use an equal amount of Greek yogurt as what would have been used in the original recipe.

5 – Coconut Yogurt

Coconut yogurt is a great substitute for dairy yogurt in baking recipes due to its smooth and creamy texture and sweet, nutty flavor.

Coconut yogurt can be purchased in most grocery stores, and it may be labeled as coconut-based or vegan yogurt.

When replacing dairy yogurt with coconut yogurt, it’s important to take into account the higher sugar content of the latter as well as its slightly thinner texture.

Additionally, if you are using coconut yogurt in a recipe that has both sweet and savory elements, you may want to consider reducing the amount of sugar called for by the recipe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, yogurt is a popular ingredient used in baking that has several benefits.

It adds moisture, flavor, and structure to baked goods.

However, it may not be appropriate in all recipes or necessary for all bakers.

Depending on the recipe and personal preference, there are numerous alternatives that can provide similar results without using yogurt.

Ultimately, each substitute will produce different results; experiment until you find the best option for your recipe.