Vegan alternative to buttermilk for baking?

I'm planning to bake a cake for a friend who is not vegan, but who can't eat most forms of dairy besides butter. I'm thinking of making Bravetart's white mountain layer cake (https://www.saveur.com...), but I would need to replace the buttermilk with something dairy-free. Based on this article which recommends kefir as one of the best buttermilk alternatives, I'm thinking vegan kefir could be a good option! Thoughts? https://www.seriouseats...

ariel a
  • Posted by: ariel a
  • January 12, 2019
  • 3293 views
  • 3 Comments

3 Comments

Ttrockwood
Ttrockwood January 13, 2019
Just use plain unsweetened soy milk and add lemon juice.
I wouldn’t use vegan kefeir because its not easy to find and will likely be nut based or coconut based which may be too “dense” in a delicate cake
 
PieceOfLayerCake
PieceOfLayerCake January 13, 2019
I agree with Stephanie. The function of buttermilk in most cakes is to provide some fat and an acid. As long as you have a liquid, and some acid (the general ratio is 1 T. acid to 1 c. liquid), it will work with cake recipes that call for it. You COULD use water and white vinegar....but I like to tailor my liquid/acid combo to what I'm making. For something neutral, soy milk and white vinegar or lemon juice....for rich chocolate cake, almond milk and red wine vinegar, etc. You could really use any non dairy milk and essentially any strong acid, as long as you keep the ratio the same.
 
Stephanie G.
Stephanie G. January 12, 2019
You could sour an alternative milk such as almond milk.
 
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