What difference does it make if I substitute low-fat milk for water in bread recipes?

What difference does it make if I substitute low-fat milk for water in bread recipes? - Person Holding a Tray With Different Shapes of Brown Cookies

I'd like to know whether is it possible to always substitute milk with water (or the other way around) in bread recipes and what difference does it make? For example, in the following recipe that I found here:

Honey-Oat Pain de Mie

  • 255g lukewarm water
  • 361g AP Flour
  • 85g old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 64g honey
  • 57g melted butter
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast


Best Answer

Off the top of my head, the added sugar from the milk may cause the yeast to over-leaven the bread. The opposite is true when substituting water for milk, you may need to add sugar.

Edit: According to this site, Glutathione in the milk must be destroyed by heating it first, otherwise it tends to inhibit yeast. Also, allegedly lactose doesn't contribute as much to the yeast activity as I thought, as it doesn't break down as fast as raw sugars.

Other sources seem to corroborate the fact that the bread is softer with milk.

Some others may be able to add more insight ...




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Quick Answer about "What difference does it make if I substitute low-fat milk for water in bread recipes?"

Water vs milk Milk produces a softer loaf with a finer crumb due to the higher fat content. It also gives richer flavour and browns more easily than a water-based dough does because of caramelizing lactose sugars. It also has a longer shelf life due to the fat it contains.

What happens if you replace water with milk in bread?

Substituting milk for water in bread will usually add both fat (from milkfat) and sugar (lactose). Several changes can happen, including: The crust will typically be softer. The crust will brown more quickly (due to sugar) and can darken more evenly before burning.

Is it better to make bread with milk or water?

Milk changes bread recipes by producing a softer loaf, due to the milk fat content, which also gives bread a richer flavor. Bread made with milk browns more easily than bread made with water, as lactose or milk sugar will caramelize as it bakes.

Can you substitute milk for water in homemade bread?

Milk can be used to replace all of the water in the recipe or you could just replace part of it to make the bread softer while keeping the bread a bit lighter than it would be with all milk. If you're looking to make a milk loaf, then use all milk to replace the water element of the recipe.

Can you make bread with low fat milk?

Milk: I used whole milk but low fat milk will also work. I do recommend whole milk because it adds some fat to the recipe, which helps make the bread softer. You can also use dairy-free milk alternatives like soy milk, almond milk, oat milk or coconut milk.



This is How Milk Affects Bread Dough | How to Use Milk in Breadmaking




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Nicole Michalou, Nicole Michalou, Amina Filkins, George Milton