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Writer's pictureHigh Altitude Baker

What should I know when Using BUTTERMILK in my High ALTITUDE Kitchen?


When using buttermilk in high altitude baking, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  1. Leavening agents: Buttermilk is often used as an acidic ingredient in baking recipes, which can react with leavening agents such as baking soda and baking powder to help the baked goods rise. However, at high altitudes, the lower air pressure can cause the leavening agents to work more quickly, which can result in over-rising and collapsing of the baked goods. To prevent this, you may need to reduce the amount of leavening agents used in the recipe.

  2. Liquid content: Buttermilk is also a liquid ingredient, which can affect the overall moisture content of the baked goods. At high altitudes, the dry air can cause baked goods to dry out more quickly, so it's important to ensure that the recipe has enough liquid to keep the baked goods moist. You may need to increase the amount of buttermilk or other liquid ingredients in the recipe.

  3. Acidity: As mentioned, buttermilk is an acidic ingredient. At high altitudes, the lower air pressure can cause acidic ingredients to become more potent, which can affect the overall flavor of the baked goods. You may need to reduce the amount of buttermilk or other acidic ingredients in the recipe to prevent the baked goods from being too tart.

To adjust for high altitude baking with buttermilk, you may need to make the following adjustments:

  • Reduce the amount of leavening agents by about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per teaspoon called for in the recipe.

  • Increase the amount of liquid in the recipe by 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup of flour.

  • Reduce the amount of acidic ingredients by about 1 tablespoon per cup of flour.

Overall, adjusting for high altitude baking with buttermilk involves finding the right balance of leavening agents, liquid content, and acidity to ensure that your baked goods turn out moist and flavorful. It may take some experimentation to find the right adjustments for your specific altitude and recipe, but with practice, you can create delicious baked goods at any altitude.


Ensuring the accuracy of your oven's temperature is critical.. To achieve this, it's advisable to use an oven thermometer https://amzn.to/430XXR2 . Additionally, it's essential to check the temperature of the cake, bread, or meats you're baking or cooking with an internal thermometer. As a result, I recommend investing in a thermometer to monitor your cooking and baking accurately. Don't procrastinate as your next cake or dish may rely on it.


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