Many ingredients lurking in our fridge or pantry are often neglected or forgotten that we ever had them. We buy them at the store thinking we will use the “one day,” but we never get around to figuring out what to do with them. Believe it or not, powdered milk is one of those underestimated ingredients.
Like milk, powdered milk comes in full-fat or nonfat varieties. Often known as powdered milk or dry milk, powdered milk can be used for so many things besides the obvious way: adding water to it to turn it into milk. You can use milk for baking, cooking, and even add it to your coffee!
Luckily, we’ve gathered the top ways you can use powdered milk in your cooking or baking, even if you’re a beginner home cook!
For the On-Demand
One of the best qualities that powdered milk provides is that it’s perfect for those who need milk on-demand. Many people prefer to use it for its non-perishable qualities. You can use it on-the-go if you’re on a trip, out camping, or on a long commute. You can store a jar of powdered milk anywhere and use it when you need it. If you spend long hours at the office but don’t have access to fresh milk for your coffee needs, powdered milk will help you get a cup of joe any time of the day. Many moms also use powdered milk for their toddlers and keep a jar in their baby bag. All they need to do is add water!
How to Turn it Into milk
All you need to do is to combine 1/3 cup of powdered milk with 1 cup of water. Many experts recommend adding hot water to dissolve the powdered milk first, but you can also use cold water. Be sure to add water gradually and stir continuously. Also, be sure to shake it well before using it.
How to Use Powdered Milk in Cooking
There are so many ways you can use powdered milk, even if you’re a novice home cook.
Gravy and Sauce
One common way to use powdered milk in cooking is to thicken sauces or gravies. Powdered milk here can substitute for flour when thickening sauces, but it won’t be as thick as using flour. Sprinkle some powdered milk gradually into the sauce with the flour to give it a richer and creamier taste.
You can also create your own gravy mixture at home with powdered milk, flour, bouillon cubes, spices like thyme, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Just add water to it, and make your own gravy.
White Sauce
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill creamy Alfredo sauce, but it’s a much easier version to make a creamy white sauce for your pasta! And it takes no time!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup powdered milk
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 cup broth (or water)
- 2 tsp. salt and pepper
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 3 tbsp butter
Directions
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour and powdered milk mixture.
- Keep whisking and make sure there are no lumps until you create a roux.
- Gradually add the broth and keep whisking until smooth over medium-high heat.
- Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens over low heat.
- Add the spices and mix them in your pasta of choice.
Cream Soup
Many people go the easy route and just buy a box of cream of soup to make soups at home. However, these packages usually contain a lot of preservatives, and it’s not entirely healthy. Making your own cream of soup substitute at home will be convenient, and you can use it for any type of soup. All you need is:
- 2 cups powdered milk
- 2 and a ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp dried onion
- ½ tsp. each of dried basil, dried thyme, dried parsley, and black pepper
This mixture can be stored in a jar, and you can use it any time you’re making cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, or any soup with a cream base. All you need to do is only add ½ cup of this mixture to the 1 and a ½ of broth of choice. You can use chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth…etc.
Potato Soup
Adding powdered milk to potato soup gives it a creamier and richer feel, making it a hearty soup that the whole family can enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
- 1 tsp. chicken bouillon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup powdered milk
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 2 tbsp Chopped celery
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 cup water
Directions
- In a saucepan, sauté the onions in olive oil until tender and golden.
- Add the potatoes and celery, give them a quick stir.
- Add the water, black pepper, chicken bouillon and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and let it simmer for 30 minutes or until the potatoes have gone tender.
- With a hand mixer, blend the soup, or use a potato masher to mash all the ingredients together.
- In a separate bowl, add the dry ingredients (powdered milk and flour) and gradually pour the milk into it until combined.
- Add it to the potato soup and mix until everything is combined—Cook for a few minutes on medium-high heat.
- Serve and garnish with parsley.
How to Use Powdered Milk in Baking
Even though many baked goods recipes already require some sort of milk or buttermilk in the ingredients, many expert bakers swear by the advantages of using powdered milk when they bake. Powdered milk is believed to enhance the flavor and give your cakes, cookies, bread, or donuts a richer and golden color. And so, using powdered milk in whatever you bake can actually improve the final result, which is why you should consider keeping a jar of powdered milk in your pantry to make flavorful desserts.
Donuts
This recipe is easy to make and will be a hit among family and friends! You won’t buy store-bought donuts anymore!
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp powdered milk
- 1.5 tsp. baking powder
- 1.5 tsp. instant dry yeast
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3 tbsp butter
- ¾ cup water
- 1.5 tsp. salt
Directions
- In a mixing bowl, add the flour, yeast, powdered milk, and sugar and whisk.
- Add the eggs one by one, and then the water and knead on low speed for 3 minutes, then high speed for another 3 minutes.
- Add the butter and salt, and knead again for 4 minutes on high speed
- Stretch out the dough and check if it’s consistent in shape.
- Let it rest for about 40 minutes.
- When the dough rises, give it a quick punch, then roll it out onto a work surface.
- Shape the donuts with a mold, and let them rise for about an hour in a warm place.
- Fry for 3 minutes on the topside and 2 minutes on the bottom side
- Sprinkle powdered sugar.
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are the most popular and loved cookies of all time. But not one ingredient is believed to give it a deeper flavor, adding powdered milk!
Ingredients
- 2 and a half cups all-purpose flour
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp powdered milk
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together.
- In another bowl, add butter and sugar and beat until they’re creamy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla, and mix again.
- Fold in the flour mixture gently
- When you see no streaks, add in the chocolate chips
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes
- Pre-heat the oven to 375F, place parchment paper on your baking sheet, and scoop out the dough and place each cookie ball a few inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Cool the cookies in the baking pan, then transfer to a wire rack.
Adding it to Dairy-Based Treats
Powdered milk can also be a substitute in many treats or used as an addition to make yogurt, cheese, or even ice cream! It makes whatever it’s added to creamier, richer, and tastier!
Easy Ice Cream
This lovely treat is easy to make, and you don’t need to churn it in an ice cream maker. It’s perfect for a midday treat on a hot summer’s day!
Ingredients
- 14 oz. can condensed milk
- 2 tbsp powdered milk
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cup whipping cream
Directions
- In a bowl, add the cream, powdered milk, and vanilla and mix with an egg beater or add it into a food processer. Whip until the cream thickens and holds its shape.
- Fold in the condensed milk into the whipped cream.
- Pour the mixture into a container, cover with cling film, and freeze for 5 hours or more.
Yogurt
Adding powdered milk to yogurt makes it super creamy and gives it a different taste. Just make sure you also get yogurt culture from your local grocery store to include in the recipe.
Ingredients
- ½ cup powdered milk
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup Yogurt culture
Directions
- Add the powdered milk and milk into a pot and stir until warm over low heat.
- Make sure it’s completely dissolved, then add the yogurt culture.
- Turn off heat, keep in a warm place covered for 12 hours to 24 hours.
- Once thick and creamy, top it with the fruit of choice and enjoy!
Hot Cocoa
Making hot cocoa at home is everyone’s favorite treat, especially kids. This recipe will make it easier for the whole family to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa any time of the day.
- For a Ready-Made Mix: add 1 cup of cocoa, 4 cups powdered milk, ½ tsp salt, ¾ cup of sugar. Combine and store in an air-tight container.
- For 1 Cup of Cocoa: add ½ cup of this mixture to hot water and blend until there are no lumps.
Pudding
Consider making this ready-made mixture as well and store it in an air-tight container for future use. You can make all kinds of pudding with this recipe any time you and your family are craving this yummy treat!
- The mixture: add 8 cups of powdered milk, 4 cups sugar, 4 cups corn starch, 1 tsp salt.
Vanilla Pudding Directions
- Add 1 cup of this mixture to 3 cups of warm water.
- Add 1 tsp. Vanilla extract, 1 tbsp butter, and stir continuously.
- Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes and keep stirring until the mixture thickens.
- Prepare your bowls or cups, and pour the mixture into them.
- Let them cool for a few minutes, then add to the fridge and let them chill for at least 4-5 hours.
- For Chocolate Pudding: Add 3 tbsp of cocoa powder to the dry mixture before cooking.
Ricotta Cheese
Having homemade ricotta cheese in your kitchen should be a staple ingredient. You can spread it onto toast, include in your baked pasta dish, or simply enjoy it with crackers.
Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered milk
- 6 cups of water
- ½ cup vinegar
- ½ cup of milk
Directions
- Add the powdered milk and water together in a pot, and mix until fully incorporated.
- Heat to 110 degrees, then turn off the heat. It should separate. If it doesn’t, wait for a few minutes.
- Once separated, add the vinegar.
- Strain the cheese and rinse.
- Add milk bit by bit and gently fold.
Even though it doesn’t have much street credit, powdered milk can make anything it’s added to rich, creamy, and thick, which makes it a very useful ingredient in your pantry. Whether sweet or savory, these recipes will be the ideal way to include powdered milk in your cooking and baking!
