Substitute For Sour Cream In Baking
Sour cream is a versatile ingredient that adds a tangy flavor and richness to baked goods, making them moist and tender. Learn How to Substitute Sour Cream In Baking using easy substitutes that can take its place while still delivering delicious results!
Sour cream is a secret ingredient in many baking recipes. It brings a tangy, creamy flavor to cakes, cookies, and bread while also adding moisture and tenderizing the crumb. The high fat makes for a denser baked good with a rich mouthfeel that is hard to resist!
As a trained pastry chef and professional baker, I use sour cream in many of my favorite desserts because of the wonderful texture and taste it brings. I love making these Chocolate cupcakes, creamy Pumpkin mousse, and all of my homemade cheesecake recipes.
Because I have been baking for so long- I have run out of sour cream many times and have not wanted to run to the store at 11pm, so instead I found ways to substitute it with other things I have in my fridge with delicious results.
Substitute for Sour Cream in Baking
Sometimes you may not have sour cream on hand, or perhaps you’re not a fan of its tangy taste. There are plenty of easy substitutes that you can use instead, and the best part is, you probably have them in your kitchen right now. Learn how to use whole milk yogurt, mayonnaise, buttermilk, cream cheese, creme fraiche, and even vegan sour cream substitutes!
Whole Milk Yogurt
Not only does whole milk yogurt add a tangy and creamy flavor to your baked goods, but it’s also packed with protein and calcium, making it a healthy alternative. Its thicker consistency ensures a tender and moist crumb in your cakes, muffins, and bread, and it’s so versatile that you can use it in both sweet and savory recipes.
Full-fat whole milk yogurt is best but Greek yogurt will work too. Use yogurt as a 1:1 swap!
Mayonnaise
Though you may not have thought of it, mayonnaise as a substitute for sour cream is an excellent choice. Mayonnaise’s creamy texture and tangy flavor make it a delicious alternative that subtly enriches cakes, quick breads, and even biscuits. Plus, its high oil content ensures a moist and tender crumb in every baked good.
The best part is that you can use it as a 1:1 substitute for sour cream in any recipe, even cake!
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a versatile and tangy substitute for sour cream in baking that can add depth and flavor to your favorite recipes. Its acidic properties can help tenderize the crumb and enhance the flavor of cakes, muffins, and bread.
Because it’s lighter, it cannot be used as a 1:1 substitute. Use ¾ cup of buttermilk for every 1 cup of sour cream.
And if you don’t have buttermilk on hand, it’s easy to make your own from scratch! Add ¾ cup buttermilk to a measuring cup and take out 1 tbsp. Replace it with 1 tbsp lemon juice and let it sit for 10 minutes before giving it a stir. You just made your own buttermilk!
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a decadent and creamy substitute for sour cream in baking that can add richness and flavor to your recipes. Its smooth texture and tangy taste make it a perfect addition to cakes, muffins, and even frostings. Plus, it’s high in fat and protein, making it a more indulgent and satisfying option.
To substitute cream cheese for sour cream, combine ¾ cup softened cream cheese with 1-2 tbsp milk and stir to combine well. Learn how to soften cream cheese easily.
Creme Fraiche
Creme fraiche is a French cultured dairy product that has a tangy and nutty flavor similar to sour cream. It’s made by adding a bacterial culture to heavy cream and allowing it to thicken for 12-24 hours. Creme fraiche is a perfect substitute for sour cream in baking because of its similar flavor profile, thick and creamy texture, and higher fat content, which makes it ideal for enriching cakes, pies, and other baked goods.
So if you’re looking for a more sophisticated and unique twist on your baked creations, try using creme fraiche as a 1:1 sour cream substitute.
Vegan Sour Cream Substitutes
Vegan sour cream is a dairy-free alternative to traditional sour cream that’s made from plant-based ingredients like cashews or soy. It has a similar tangy and creamy flavor to sour cream, making it a great substitute in baking recipes. It’s low in saturated fat and cholesterol, making it a healthier option that still delivers the richness and decadence that sour cream provides.
While most grocery stores can carry some vegan cream cheese, you can definitely find popular brands, including Kite Hill, Tofutti (my favorite for years!), or other brands at your local health food store, such as Whole Foods or Sprouts.
How To Substitute Sour Cream In Baking
Materials
- Whole Milk Yogurt 1:1 sub ratio
- Mayonnaise 1:1 sub ratio
- Buttermilk 3/4 cup per 1 cup sour cream
- Cream Cheese 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp milk per 1 cup sour cream
- Creme Fraiche 1:1 sub ratio
- Vegan Sour Cream Substitutes 1:1 sub ratio
Instructions
Whole Milk Yogurt
- Not only does whole milk yogurt add a tangy and creamy flavor to your baked goods, but it's also packed with protein and calcium, making it a healthy alternative. Greek yogurt and full-fat whole milk yogurt is best. Use a 1:1 ratio.
Mayonnaise
- Mayonnaise's creamy texture and tangy flavor make it a delicious alternative that subtly enriches cakes, quick breads, and even biscuits. Use it as a 1:1 substitute for sour cream in any recipe.
Buttermilk
- Buttermilk is a versatile and tangy substitute for sour cream in baking that can add depth and flavor to your favorite recipes. Because it's lighter, it cannot be used as a 1:1 substitute. Use ¾ cup of buttermilk for every 1 cup of sour cream. See post on how to make your own buttermilk.
Cream Cheese
- Cream cheese is high in fat and protein, making it a more indulgent and satisfying option. To substitute cream cheese for 1 cup sour cream, combine ¾ cup softened cream cheese with 1-2 tbsp milk and stir to combine well. This works best with softened cream cheese.
Creme Fraiche
- Creme fraiche is a perfect substitute for sour cream in baking because of its similar flavor profile, thick and creamy texture, and higher fat content, which makes it ideal for enriching cakes, pies, and other baked goods. Try using creme fraiche as a 1:1 sour cream substitute.
Vegan Sour Cream Substitutes
- Vegan sour cream is a dairy-free alternative to traditional sour cream that's made from plant-based ingredients like cashews or soy. Use it as a 1:1 substitute. My favorite brands are Tofutti and Kite Hill.
