Powdered milk, also known as dried milk, is a manufactured dairy product made by evaporating milk to dryness. One of the big advantages of powdered milk is that it has a much longer shelf life than liquid milk and does not need to be refrigerated. This makes it more convenient for long term storage and use in recipes. When reconstituted with water, powdered milk can be used as a substitute for fresh milk in cooking, baking and beverages. But how much powdered milk is equivalent to 1 cup of regular milk? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Powdered Milk?
Powdered milk is produced by removing the water content from pasteurized milk. The milk can be dried through one of two processes:
Spray Drying
This involves spraying the milk into a chamber of hot air. The tiny droplets of milk quickly evaporate, leaving behind only the powdered milk solids. Spray dried powdered milk has a finer texture and dissolves more easily in liquids.
Roller Drying
During roller drying, milk is poured over heated metal rollers to rapidly evaporate the water. The dried film is then scraped off the rollers and ground into powder. Roller dried milk has a coarser texture than spray dried varieties.
Both spray drying and roller drying aim to remove moisture at low temperatures to preserve the nutritional content of the milk. The resulting powder contains nearly all the nutrients found in liquid milk and has an extended shelf life of roughly 2 years when stored properly.
Reconstituting Powdered Milk
To reconstitute powdered milk, simply whisk the powder with water using a fork, whisk or electric mixer. The powder should dissolve fully into a smooth liquid. The amount of water needed depends on the type of powdered milk.
Regular Powdered Milk
On average, 2 tablespoons (about 1/3 cup) of regular powdered milk per 1 cup of water makes an equivalent replacement for 1 cup of fresh milk. However, be sure to follow the reconstituting directions on your specific brand of powdered milk, as the amount of powder required may vary.
Instant Powdered Milk
Instant powdered milk dissolves more easily in water and results in a smoother consistency. Only 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons (about 1/4 cup) is needed per 1 cup of water to equal 1 cup of regular milk. Again, follow your product’s instructions.
Nutritional Profile
When reconstituted as directed, powdered milk contains a very similar nutrition profile to regular cow’s milk in terms of calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
However, powdered milk contains slightly lower amounts of some vitamins that are heat sensitive, such as vitamin C and the B vitamins thiamine and riboflavin. Still, powdered milk remains a good source of calcium, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin A and other important nutrients found in fresh milk.
Here is a nutrition comparison of 1 cup (244 grams) of lowfat powdered milk versus 1 cup (244 grams) of lowfat milk:
| Nutrient | Powdered Milk | Regular Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 383 | 383 |
| Protein | 29.9 g | 29.9 g |
| Carbs | 38.5 g | 38.5 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g | 0.2 g |
| Calcium | 867 mg | 867 mg |
| Vitamin D | 97 IU | 97 IU |
| Potassium | 1561 mg | 1561 mg |
As you can see, powdered and regular milk are almost identical in main nutrients, with only small variations in certain vitamins. Overall, reconstituted powdered milk can stand in for regular milk quite well in recipes, drinks and other uses.
Substituting Powdered Milk in Recipes
In most recipes that call for milk, powdered milk can be directly substituted in a 1:1 ratio.
For example, if the recipe requires:
– 1 cup milk – use 1 cup reconstituted powdered milk
– 1/2 cup milk – use 1/2 cup reconstituted powdered milk
– 1/4 cup milk – use 1/4 cup reconstituted powdered milk
No other changes or adjustments are typically needed. The powdered milk performs the same function of adding moisture, flavor, structure and nutrients.
However, for recipes with rising agents, the slightly lower protein content of powdered milk versus fresh milk means you may get less lift. Consider adding an extra 1/4 tsp of baking powder per 1 cup of powdered milk used to help compensate.
Baking
Powdered milk is excellent for baking items like cookies, cakes, muffins, breads and pizza dough. Reconstituted powdered milk binds ingredients, lends a creamy flavor and browns foods nicely. Cookies may spread a bit more than usual. But overall, powdered milk makes a fine baking substitute.
Drinks
Many people use powdered milk to save money when making milkshakes, smoothies, hot chocolate and chai tea. Simply mix with water or non-dairy milk as directed on the package. Powdered milk also works well in cream-based soups and chowders.
Cooking
Powdered milk can be used to make cheese sauces, gravies, puddings, instant oatmeal, pancake mix, creamy soups and more. It provides the same creaminess as regular milk. For savory cooking, you may want to use a pinch more salt to balance the flavor.
Nutritional Boost
Due to its high nutrient content, powdered milk is commonly added to food aid supplies and emergency preparation kits. It provides protein, calcium and other essential nutrients when fresh milk is not available. Many families also use it to boost the nutrition in baked goods, smoothies and drinks.
Common Brands
Some popular brands of powdered milk include:
Nido
Nestle’s Nido brand offers whole and lowfat milk powders for cooking and drinking. Both regular and instant (dissolves faster) versions are available. Many consumers use Nido as an affordable long term milk storage option.
Carnation
Nestle also produces Carnation brand powdered milk, which comes in reduced fat, lowfat and fat free options. Carnation is a pantry staple used in baking, cooking and beverage recipes.
Hoosier Hill Farm
Hoosier Hill Farm offers spray-dried whole milk, buttermilk, lowfat and nonfat options. They advertise a smoother mix versus cheaper roller dried brands.
Anthony’s
Anthony’s premium milk powders are made from grade-A milk sourced from grass-fed cows. Flavors include whole milk, lowfat chocolate, buttermilk and more.
Saco
Budget-friendly Saco powdered milk can be found in many grocery stores. They produce convenient pouches of instant nonfat dry milk for quick reconstitution.
Meyenberg
Meyenberg is a popular brand of goat milk powder, which may be easier to digest for some people. It can be used just like regular powdered milk.
Hoosier Hill Farm
Along with cow’s milk powder, Hoosier Hill Farm offers powders made from goat and coconut milk. These alternative milk powders can be useful for recipes and beverages.
Storage Tips
To get the longest shelf life out of powdered milk, be sure to:
– Store in a cool, dry place away from light, heat and moisture. An airtight container in the pantry works well.
– Keep storage temperatures below 80°F for best retention of nutrients. High heat can affect protein quality.
– Check the “best by” date and use within the timeline recommended by the manufacturer.
– Don’t mix up more reconstituted milk than needed. Refrigerate and use within 2 days.
– Don’t store for over 2 years as nutrient levels may start to decline. Best nutritional quality within 6 months.
– Look for signs of spoilage before use such as color changes or clumping. Discard if smell or texture seems off.
Pros and Cons
Some of the key pros and cons of using powdered milk include:
Pros
– Much longer shelf life than fresh milk.
– Easy to store in pantry without refrigeration.
– Very cost effective per serving compared to milk.
– Makes an emergency milk supply during power outages.
– Allows access to milk’s nutrients when fresh milk is not available.
– Generally interchangeable with fresh milk in recipes.
Cons
– Needs water to reconstitute before use.
– Not quite as smooth in taste and texture as fresh milk.
– Levels of some heat-sensitive vitamins are lower.
– May not whip or expand as well in recipes with rising agents.
– Requires careful storage for longest usability.
Cost Comparison
One of the biggest advantages of powdered milk is the cost savings versus buying fresh milk. Here is a basic cost comparison:
Fresh milk:
– 1 gallon whole milk = approx $3.50
– 1 cup milk = approx $0.44
Powdered milk:
– 1 box nonfat powdered milk (52 servings) = approx $4.50
– 1 cup reconstituted = approx $0.09
As shown, the per cup cost of powdered milk is roughly 5 times cheaper than fresh milk. Buying powdered milk in bulk further reduces the cost. Families often save over 50% vs buying fresh milk.
Of course, factors like brand and sales prices affect the exact costs. But powdered milk provides significant savings overall.
Is Powdered Milk Healthy?
Powdered milk is just as nutritious as fresh milk when reconstituted properly. The process of removing water does not significantly impact the protein quality or macronutrient profile. Milk powder contains the same essential vitamins, minerals, fats and carbohydrates as regular fluid milk.
However, there are a few considerations:
– Heating milk to dry it does lower the levels of some vitamins sensitive to heat, including vitamins C, B1 and B2. But powdered milk remains a good source of most nutrients, especially calcium, protein and potassium.
– If not stored properly at cool, consistent temperatures, the proteins in powdered milk may degrade faster over time.
– Powdered milk contains no live bacteria, unlike fresh raw milk. This increases shelf life but removes potentially beneficial probiotics.
Overall, powdered milk is very nutritionally comparable to pasteurized cow’s milk and offers people a valuable source of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals. When reconstituted following the directions, powdered milk can be part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Conclusion
Powdered milk is made by removing almost all the moisture from regular milk to allow for convenient storage and transportation. To make an equivalent replacement for 1 cup of fresh milk, simply whisk 2 tablespoons of powdered milk into 1 cup water. This ratio provides a similar nutrient profile and works seamlessly in most recipes.
Compared to fresh milk, powdered milk offers logistical benefits like a multi-year shelf life without requiring refrigeration. It performs well in cooking and baking applications, while costing significantly less per serving. While not a perfect match in taste and texture, powdered milk provides an affordable, nutritious alternative with minimal compromises. Considering its benefits, powdered milk can be a smart staple to keep stocked in any pantry.