Malted milk powder is a versatile ingredient with a rich, nutty, sweet flavor that goes well beyond classic milkshakes.
This powder, made from a mixture of malted barley, wheat flour, and milk powder, can amplify and enhance the flavors of baked goods, drinks, ice creams, and more.
What Is Malted Milk Powder?
Malted milk powder is made by combining malted barley, malted wheat flour, evaporated milk powder, and sometimes salt. The malted grains provide a sweet, nutty, toasted flavor, while the milk powder lends a creamy richness and aids in browning during baking.
The malting process involves soaking grains like barley and allowing them to germinate or sprout. This converts their starches into sugars and develops complex, malty flavors through enzymatic activity. The sprouted grains are then dried and milled into a powder.
When blended with milk powder as in malted milk powder, you get a versatile ingredient that can amplify flavors in desserts, breads, hot drinks, ice creams, candies, and more. It provides a butterscotch-like sweetness with roasty, nutty undertones.
Uses for Malted Milk Powder
From cookies to lamb dishes, malted milk powder can lend its signature flavor to all kinds of recipes. Here are some of the most popular and delicious ways to use it:
Cookies and Brownies
Malted milk powder is a perfect addition to cookie and brownie batters. It enhances chocolate flavors and provides nutty, buttery notes that complement the sweetness.
For example, in chocolate chip cookies, malted milk powder amplifies the chocolate and browns the cookies more evenly. In recipes like brown butter shortbread, it contributes a rich butterscotch flavor. And mixed into brownie batter, it makes the chocolate even fudgier and more intense.
| Amount to Add | Benefits |
|---|---|
| 1-3 tbsp per batch of dough | Enhances chocolate flavor, aids browning, adds nutty sweetness |
The powder also combines beautifully with nuts like pecans, lending a sweet nutty flavor in cookies. And sprinkled over scones or muffins before baking, it provides crunch and a lovely toasted aroma.
Cakes and Frostings
Like cookies and brownies, baked goods like cakes, cupcakes, and muffins also benefit from malted milk powder. It intensifies the flavors during baking, leading to a richer chocolate taste in recipes like chocolate cake or red velvet cupcakes.
When added to the dry ingredients in vanilla cakes or banana bread, malted milk powder adds flavor complexity without overpowering the subtle flavors. And folded into creamy frostings like buttercream or cream cheese frosting, it provides a nutty butterscotch taste that pairs beautifully with both chocolate and vanilla cakes or cupcakes.
| Amount to Add | Benefits |
|---|---|
| 1-3 tbsp per cake/cupcake batch | Boosts chocolate flavor, adds nutty sweetness, aids browning |
For optimal flavor, add the malted milk powder to the dry ingredients when making cakes or quick breads like muffins and banana bread. When making frostings, mix it in at the end after whipping the butter and sugar to avoid over-mixing.
Hot Chocolate and Coffee
The malty sweetness of malted milk powder makes an excellent addition to hot drinks. Add 1-2 tablespoons per mug to hot chocolate for more chocolate intensity and rich, roasty flavors. You can even prepare homemade hot chocolate mix with extra malted milk powder for an ultra-indulgent drink.
When blended into coffee drinks like lattes, malted milk powder provides subtle caramel and nutty flavors that complement the coffee beautifully. It also makes an ideal addition to steamers and other hot, creamy non-coffee drinks.
| Amount to Add | Benefits |
|---|---|
| 1-2 tbsp per serving | Boosts chocolate/coffee flavor, adds nutty sweetness |
For an easy iced treat, combine malted milk powder, milk, and ice in a blender. Sweeten to taste and blend until frothy for a nutty, creamy malted milkshake.
Ice Creams and Frozen Desserts
In ice cream, malted milk powder contributes characteristic flavors similar to butter pecan or butterscotch, along with a creamy richness from the milk powder.
When making ice cream base, add 1-3 tablespoons of malt powder to the mix before chilling and churning for intense flavors. It combines especially well with chocolate or vanilla ice cream. But you can also sprinkle it over finished ice cream as a topping along with chocolate syrup or caramel.
You can even blend it into milk and freeze in popsicle molds for malted milk popsicles. And folded into whipped cream, it makes a malted whipped topping ideal for ice cream sundaes, pies, cakes, waffles, and more.
| Amount to Add | Benefits |
|---|---|
| 1-3 tbsp per quart base | Adds nutty, buttery richness and aids texture |
For an easy nostalgic treat, soften ice cream sandwiches slightly, dip in malted milk powder blended with a little milk, then refreeze for malted chipwiches.
Breads and Grains
The subtle sweetness and nutty flavors of malted milk powder make it an excellent addition to bread doughs and baked goods like bagels, buns, English muffins, and more.
When added to yeast bread dough, about 1-2 tablespoons of powder per loaf boosts flavor complexity. It also aids with browning the crust, adding lovely toasted notes.
You can use malted milk powder when making bread doughs, rolls, and buns or sprinkle it over the shaped loaves before baking. It's especially tasty in whole grain bread recipes, providing malty contrast to the hearty grains.
| Amount to Add | Benefits |
|---|---|
| 1-2 tbsp per loaf | Aids browning, adds malty sweetness |
The powder also blends beautifully into batters like pancakes, waffles, biscuits, and scones. Add 1-2 tablespoons per cup of flour or check recipes specifically formulated with malted milk powder. It enhances flavors and texture while lending a lovely golden color.
Meat Dishes
While not as common as dessert applications, malted milk powder can provide tasty flavor contrast in certain savory dishes like meatloaf, burgers, rubs, and more.
The malty sweetness pairs well with beef while also complementing spices like garlic, pepper, paprika, cumin, and chili powder. When making meatballs, meatloaf, or burgers, add a couple tablespoons of malted milk powder to the ground meat.
It also makes an interesting addition to dry rubs for proteins like beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. Sprinkle on some malted milk powder along with spices and herbs before grilling or roasting. The powder helps form a lovely browned crust.
For a creative fusion flavor, coat lamb in a dry mixture of malted milk powder, rosemary, cumin, and salt before searing. The malt complements the rich lamb in an unexpected way.
Other Creative Uses
In addition to traditional dessert and drink uses, get creative with malted milk powder in recipes like:
- Sweet salad dressings: Blend with oil, vinegar, honey, and spices for unique flavor
- Milk-based soups: Add malty, buttery contrast to creamy soups
- Sauces and gravies: Whisk into pan sauces, cheese sauces, or gravies
- Marinades: Combine with oil, acid, and spices to marinate meats
- Sprinkled on popcorn, nuts or pretzels: Toasted flavor and crunch
The options are endless when cooking and baking with versatile malted milk powder!
Tips for Using Malted Milk Powder
Malted milk powder is simple to incorporate into recipes, but keep these tips in mind:
- Start with 1-3 tablespoons per batch of dough or batter, adjusting to taste
- Reduce sugar slightly to account for the natural sweetness
- Blend well into liquids to prevent clumping
- Store airtight in the freezer to prevent caking over time
When using malted milk powder to replace sugar in recipes, substitute about 1/4 cup of the sweetener with 2-3 tablespoons of powder. The malted powder does contain some sodium and lactose, so adjust salt and dairy accordingly.
FAQs
What is malted milk powder?
Malted milk powder is a mixture of malted barley, wheat flour, milk powder, and sometimes salt. It has a sweet, nutty, toasted flavor.
What does malted milk powder taste like? It has a rich, nutty, sweet flavor reminiscent of butterscotch. It also lends a roasted, malty taste.
What can you use malted milk powder for?
It's commonly used in baked goods like cookies, cakes, muffins, and breads to amplify flavors. It's also used in ice cream, hot chocolate, coffee drinks, milkshakes, meat dishes, and more.
How much malted milk powder do you add to recipes?
As a guideline, add 1-3 tablespoons per batch of dough, batter, or drinks. Reduce sugar slightly to account for the natural sweetness.
Does malted milk powder contain dairy?
Yes, it contains milk powder so it is not vegan or dairy-free. It contains small amounts of lactose.
How do you prevent malted milk powder from clumping?
Blend the powder thoroughly into any liquids to prevent clumping when adding it to recipes.
How should you store malted milk powder?
Store an airtight container in the freezer to prevent it from caking over time.
Conclusion
Don't limit malted milk powder to desserts! Try adding it to salad dressings, popcorn seasoning, breading for fried foods, or stir fries.
It also makes an interesting addition when making deviled eggs or chicken salad.