Toasted Milk Powder
Toasted milk powder is a great way to bring light caramel flavor to your baking. The milk solids are toasted to golden perfection, and you can easily add it to your baking, ice cream, custards, and more to bring delicious flavor!
Why Toast Milk Powder?
In a nutshell, it brings way more flavor! Toasting the milk solids brings out this milky caramel-like flavor. It reminds me a little bit of caramelized white chocolate. The taste is similar to brown butter but without all the extra fat from the butter and a little less nutty.
You can add it to custard and ice cream to bring that nutty taste of brown butter without actually adding in butter. Or, add a tablespoon or two to your favorite cookie recipes (like these white chocolate chip cookies) to bring richness, or in buttercream frosting. It’s also so delicious when added to pumpkin pie. Really, there are heaps of ways to use it.
Here’s how you do it
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread milk powder on a parchment-paper-lined oven tray in a flat layer.
- Gently toast it at about 280°F / 140°C, stirring it every 8-10 minutes or so to make sure it bakes evenly.
- Toast it until it is a deep golden color. You can make it darker, which will deepen the flavor, but don’t take it too far, or it will become bitter.
- Then let it cool completely before adding it to a clean airtight jar or container.
Storing toasted milk powder
Toasted milk powder stores well for up to 2 months in a sealed jar at room temperature, as long as it is allowed to cool completely beforehand. If you add it to a jar too soon and it’s still warm, moisture may get in and it can spoil.
You can also freeze it in a sealed bag or jar for up to 3 months. I like making a large amount and freezing it, so I can easily grab a spoonful when I need it.
Toasting milk powder in a pan
You can also toast it in a pan, but it’s slightly more finicky. Milk powder sticks to the bottom of the pan as it caramelizes, so you must keep stirring to stop it from burning at the bottom. It takes a bit of time, but don’t turn the heat up too high to make it faster, or it will burn. I stick to medium-low heat.
Toasted Milk Powder
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1-2 cups milk powder
- Airtight jar for storage
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 280°F / 140°C.
- Spread milk powder on a parchment-paper-lined oven tray in a flat layer.
- Place in the oven for around an hour, removing it to stir it every 8-10 minutes so it bakes evenly. If you're making a smaller amount it may need less time.
- Toast it until it is deeply golden and caramelized. You can take it further in the caramelization, but don't go too far, or it will become bitter.
- Let it cool completely before adding it to an airtight container.
- Store in at room temperature for up to 2 months, or freeze it for up to 4 months.
