Milk powder

Milk with nearly all its water removed, leaving a fine, shelf-stable powder that adds milky flavor and richness without adding liquid.

Milk powder: A small bowl of fine white milk powder with a measuring spoon
  • Baking ingredients and additives

Also called: dry milk, skim milk powder, nonfat dry milk

Milk powder comes in nonfat and whole versions. Bakers add a few spoonfuls to bread dough for a softer crumb and browner crust, to ice cream bases to raise milk solids for a smoother scoop, and to cookies and frostings for a deeper dairy flavor.

Toasting milk powder in a dry pan or low oven until golden gives a nutty, caramel-like taste similar to browned butter. Stored airtight, it keeps for months, and it can be mixed with water as a stand-in for fresh milk.

Bake it at VanillaGoods

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Milk powder (Q496696), Wikidata