Ever found yourself in the middle of mixing a batter and realized too late that you're out of milk? We've been there. Halfway into baking a cake, and your carton can't dribble out the 1/4 cup of milk you need to make frosting. Not to worry! Instead of knocking on the doors of all your neighbors, try out these substitutions instead.
Milk in most recipes hydrates the dry ingredients and adds flavor, and there are plenty of substitutes that can do just that without compromising the final result.
Half and half
If you like this stuff in your coffee, chances are already have it on hand. If you didn't know, half and half is an equal mixture of whole milk and heavy cream, so replacing milk with this in a recipe is going to give you the more or less same result. Use a one-to-one substitution.
Heavy cream
The higher fat content in this replacement means you'll want to dilute it: It should be one part water to one part heavy cream. Of course, heavy cream is still in the dairy family, so the cake or other baked good should have the same desired texture. Replace the milk with the diluted heavy cream in a one-to-one substitution.
Nondairy milks, like soy and almond
If you aren't a cow milk person, or have a lactose issue, then you were likely lacking milk in the kitchen to begin with. But perhaps you've got soy milk or almond milk on hand? In that case, swap in for a one-to-one replacement. Most dairy-free alternatives don't have the fat content of regular milk, so using them can slightly alter the richness of the flavor. Our fave replacements are soy and oat milk, because they have a slightly thicker texture. Also, keep in mind nondairy milks with a stronger flavor, like coconut, can affect the taste of the final product, too.
Sour cream
Sour cream is another great last minute milk replacement. It'll add moisture and is neutral in flavor. Stick to a one-to-one replacement.
Yogurt
Yogurt can be a really good replacement for milk in recipes. As with sour cream, it'll add moisture and flavor, but also a bit of tang. You can stick to a one-to-one replacement, but try to steer clear of flavored yogurt.
Evaporated milk
We know you probably have a can of this stuff tucked in the back of your pantry! Dust off the top, check the expiration date, and throw it in. Just make sure to mix in half a cup of water with half a cup of the sweet stuff to replace one cup of milk.
Canned coconut milk
This is another item you might have in the back of your pantry. The fat content adds flavor, and the liquid adds moisture. Give the can a good shake, and add coconut milk using a one-to-one replacement. Just make sure you're cool with the final product having a hint of coconut flavor.
Water
If you're really in a pinch, can't find any of the above substitutions, and don't have a friendly neighbor to call on, then you can use some good ol' water. It's better if you only have to add a few tablespoons of it because it can really affect the richness (or lack thereof) of the final product. Use a one-to-one replacement.
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