Baking with Greek Yogurt | Cook's Illustrated (2024)

FAQs

What does Greek yogurt do in baking? ›

It's used similarly to sour cream in cakes and other baked goods, but can also be used in glazes or folded into whipped cream. Many bakers love the way it helps keep baked goods moist while adding a tang, not unlike baking with buttermilk. Its acidity also helps activate the baking soda in batters for a nice rise.

So to substitute Greek-style yogurt for American-style yogurt in baked goods, remember this rule: Use only two-thirds of the amount of Greek yogurt called for in the recipe and make up the difference with water.

Full-fat Greek yogurt will offer the closest approximation of sour cream's flavor and texture, and can be used as a one-to-one replacement for sour cream. If you'd like, you can stir some heavy cream into any percentage of Greek yogurt to give it a somewhat richer body and higher fat content.

When you really need to thicken a dish, Greek yogurt gets the job done — in fact, it's much thicker than heavy cream. Combine equal parts Greek yogurt and milk for a substitute closer to heavy cream's thickness. Be sure to add it while your dish is off the heat to avoid curdling, and don't use it for whipping.

Both yogurt and buttermilk are good substitutes for eggs. It's best to use plain yogurt, as flavored and sweetened varieties may alter the flavor of your recipe. You can use 1/4 cup (60 g) of yogurt or buttermilk for each egg that needs to be replaced.

Any low fat dairy will curdle if combined with acid and heated, so yogurt – which is both acidic and lower in fat – is particularly susceptible to curdling.

Yogurt. For this egg substitute, use 1/4 cup per egg. If you need to avoid dairy, you can use thick Greek-style plant-based yogurts. Most other non-dairy yogurts might be too thin to substitute for eggs in baking, so keep this in mind.

The take-away: If all you have is Greek yogurt, thin it out with a little water. Keep in mind that all of these tests were done on a fairly dense, pound cake–like cake.

The main difference is that Greek yogurt is strained. So, it has a much thicker consistency and a tangier taste. If you're trying to decide between Greek or regular yogurt, both are healthy options. Greek yogurt is a fermented dairy product popular worldwide.

Flavor and texture differences: Baked goods made with yogurt will be tangier and might be less tender than baked goods made with sour cream.

What kind of yogurt is good for baking? ›

Full-fat plain yogurt has a thinner texture because not all the whey has been removed. It is best for salad dressings, marinades and baking.

While they both can taste pretty tart, sour cream will be much richer. Unlike Greek yogurt, which ranges from 100–300 calories per cup, sour cream tends to be more caloric because of its higher fat content. If this only made you more confused, just ask someone from Bon Appetit.

Substitute Greek Yogurt for Higher-Fat Ingredients

From traditional comfort foods to fresh baked goods, Greek yogurt can substitute oil and mayonnaise. Oil: Replace oil with Greek yogurt when baking muffins, cakes and even waffles. Give these Greek Yogurt Banana Muffins or Double Blueberry Greek Yogurt Waffles a try.

Try cutting the oil in your recipe back by substituting ½ of the amount of oil with ¾ the amount of yogurt. For example, if your recipe lists 1 Cup of Oil, try replacing ½ cup of Oil with ¾ cup of yogurt. Try substituting the butter in your recipe with yogurt. Try replacing ½ of the butter with ½ as much yogurt.

Sour cream is an easy replacement for heavy cream. It can be easily stirred into a dish and offers another flavor profile to soups, stews and sauces. Plus, using it as a heavy cream substitute is a great way to use up that lingering tub in the fridge.

And of course, one of Greek yogurt's main selling points is the crave-worthy, slightly tangy flavor it brings to finished baked goods. Plus, it can help cakes, cookies, and quick breads attain a light and fluffy texture while maintaining a perfectly moist crumb.

Greek yogurt can also be used as a butter substitute, although it will create breads and muffins with a more dense texture.

Whole-fat Greek yogurt is a great swap for oil in baked goods. It's creamy and rich, and adds a nice texture to pound cakes, cookies, and Blueberry Muffins, plus a bit of extra protein. Due to its thickness, you'll want to add a bit more yogurt to the recipe than the amount of oil called for. Start with a 1:1.25 ratio.