From soft, fluffy cakes to rich, custardy pies, these desserts with buttermilk will have you reaching for that forgotten carton and making something delicious.
The most overlooked ingredient in your fridge might be the key to your softest cake yet. Buttermilk has been a heavy lifter in the best dessert recipes of home kitchens and bakeries for generations, yet many people push a half carton out of sight and forget about it. These desserts with buttermilk will have you reaching for the tangy liquid and turning out everything from tender cakes to decadent, flaky pies, so you never waste another drop.
In addition to adding a subtle, sour taste that balances with sugar, buttermilk has a technical function in these baking recipes. Its acidic nature reacts with baking soda and powder for well-risen desserts, and breaks down gluten for a plush crumb. That’s why it works so well in a strawberry skillet shortcake, where the batter puffs around juicy berries but stays soft underneath. In classic recipes, like buttermilk pie or red velvet cake, you don’t taste the tang, but it’s critical to the correct texture.
These buttermilk dessert ideas fit into menus year-round. They include easy summer baking recipes, like a fruity buckle, and sweets for every season, like a chocolate layer cake. If you are a new baker, these recipes range from simple to multi-step. But all you need are a few helpful baking tips, and you will be baking like a pro in no time. So, don’t toss that last cup of buttermilk lingering in your refrigerator; turn it into an easy dessert to enjoy tonight.
Buttermilk Pound Cake
Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Shortcake
Mother’s Walnut Cake
Buttermilk Coconut Pie
Chocolate Mousse Cake
Coconut Cake
Italian Cream Cake
German Chocolate Cake
Buttermilk Cake with Caramel Icing
Red Velvet Cake
Lemon Ricotta Cake
Butterscotch Cake
Buttermilk Pie
Pink Lemonade Stand Cake
Spiced Devil's Food Cake
Maple Walnut Cake
Chocolate Almond Cake
Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies
Brooklyn Blackout Cake
Mom’s Buttermilk Cookies
Chocolate Bundt Cake
Desserts with Buttermilk FAQ
Can I make buttermilk at home for baking?
You can make buttermilk at home by combining milk with an acid, like lemon juice or a clear vinegar, and letting it sit until lightly curdled and thickened. You can also mix yogurt and milk until pourable to imitate buttermilk. These quick versions aren’t exactly the same as cultured buttermilk, but the difference won’t be noticeable in most baked goods. You may need to adjust the flour in recipes like buttermilk pancakes to achieve the right batter consistency.
What are some classic desserts made with buttermilk?
Buttermilk is a key part of many classic desserts, such as red velvet cake, old-fashioned doughnuts, Bundt cakes and tender chocolate cakes. It is also often used in quick breads and simple sheet cakes for a soft crumb that doesn’t easily dry out. While buttermilk is a background flavor and tenderizing agent in many of these recipes, some desserts, like buttermilk pie, feature it as the main ingredient.
How do I keep buttermilk desserts moist?
The best way to keep buttermilk desserts moist is to store them properly and avoid overbaking. Cool baked goods completely, then wrap them tightly or store them in airtight containers at room temperature for up to three days. Store frosted cakes or custardy desserts in the refrigerator and let them stand briefly at room temperature before serving. Set a timer and check on your recipe occasionally while it bakes for visual cues that it’s done, since ovens can perform so differently.
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