Hot milk helps make bread, cakes, and other baked goods soft and tender. This process of heating the milk kills the proteins that help the gluten not break down, and contributes to the dissolving of sugar and yeast to produce soft breads and cakes. Learn how to heat milk in the microwave and on the stove by raising the temperature of the milk and stopping before it starts to boil.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Heating Milk in the Microwave
Step 1. Pour the required amount of milk into a microwave safe container
You can use whole milk, skim milk, or powdered milk. You can also use other milks, such as almonds, cashews, and soy, but they usually don't turn out the same in baked goods because non-cow milk doesn't have the same protein content that is changed by the heating process.
- Ideally use a glass bowl for the microwave. If you're using a plastic bowl, make sure it has a logo or writing that says it's microwave safe.
- Use a bowl deep enough so the milk doesn't spill out easily.
Step 2. Put the wooden chopsticks in the container before heating in the microwave
You can also use a bamboo skewer or other long-handled, microwave-safe wooden utensil. The chopsticks will crack the surface of the milk and keep it from boiling while in the microwave.
Chopsticks or bamboo skewers may touch the walls of the microwave. Chopsticks or sticks will only spin in a turntable-type microwave
Step 3. Heat the milk for 30 seconds on medium-high heat
You don't need to cover the container, just heat it for 30 seconds at a time to prevent the milk from overheating and splashing the interior of the microwave.
You may be tempted to put the container in the microwave for 3-4 minutes at a time, but this will cause the milk to heat up unevenly and even burn it
Step 4. Make sure to wear oven mitts when removing the container from the microwave and stir the milk with a wooden spoon
This will help spread the heat throughout the container evenly. You can also use a silicone spoon; just make sure you don't use anything that has metal in it as it reacts badly with the proteins in milk.
You can buy wooden or silicone spoons at a supermarket, kitchen supply store, or online
Step 5. Check the temperature of the milk using a candy thermometer
Put the thermometer in the milk in the bowl. Do not let the tip of the thermometer touch the container. Hold for 10-15 seconds or until the gauge stops moving.
You can buy an inexpensive candy thermometer from a supermarket or order one online
Step 6. Continue heating, stirring, and checking the temperature every 30 seconds
Heat the milk gradually instead of all at once so it doesn't boil, burn, or overheat. It usually takes 3-4 minutes to get the milk to the right temperature in the microwave, so you will need to repeat the heating and stirring process 6-8 times.
Stirring also helps prevent a film from forming on the surface of the milk
Step 7. Stop using the microwave once the milk has reached 80 degrees Celsius
Do not let the temperature exceed 100 degrees Celsius. If it passes, you will need to repeat it using fresh milk. The proteins and chemicals in milk will change when it's boiled and won't react in the same recipe as hot milk.
Always wear oven mitts when removing the bowl from the microwave
Step 8. Allow the milk to cool to room temperature before using it in recipes
It may seem strange, heating milk only to be cooled later before use. However, what matters here is not the temperature of the milk, but what happens to the protein during the heating process. Allow the milk to cool to 40 degrees Celsius before using it in recipes.
Adding hot milk to the recipe will spoil the other ingredients. For example, very hot milk can curdle, cook eggs, or kill important yeast
Method 2 of 2: Using the Stove
Step 1. Pour the measured milk into a saucepan on the stove
Measure the milk beforehand to make sure you don't use too much or too little. What's more, it's easier to pour the milk directly into the ingredients without the hassle of pouring the hot milk into the measuring cup first to measure.
- A deep pot is better for heating the milk as the heat will spread more evenly.
- Whole, skimmed or powdered milk is best for heating. Milk such as almond, soy, cashew, or coconut milk does not contain many important proteins that are affected by the heating process.
Step 2. Turn the oven to medium-low heat
This low temperature will prevent the milk from heating up too quickly and burning. It's best if the milk is heated thoroughly, but not until it boils or sticks to the pan.
Monitor the milk during the heating process. Usually it only takes 4-5 minutes until the milk is hot enough
Step 3. Stir the milk frequently until you see steam and bubbles appear on the edges
Stirring the milk will help prevent a layer of protein from forming on the surface, which is not used in baked recipes. This step also helps the heat to spread more evenly.
You can use a wooden or silicone spoon to stir the milk. Don't use anything with metal as it will react with the proteins in the milk
Step 4. Remove the pan from the heat as soon as small bubbles start to appear all over the milk, but don't let the bubbles continue to boil (like when you boil water to make a paste)
Make sure you put the pot in a heat-resistant container. You can transfer it to a different stove, or use a placemat as a base for a pot
Step 5. Allow the milk to cool to 40 degrees Celsius
The still-hot milk will kill the yeast or the cooking of the eggs in the recipe will drastically change the outcome of your baked goods. It will take 5-10 minutes for the milk to reach the ideal temperature. You can use this time to prepare other ingredients in the recipe.
Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature of the milk. Simply insert the thermometer while making sure it doesn't touch the bottom and walls of the pan, and wait 15 minutes, or until the gauge stops moving
Tips
- If you only have skim milk, try mixing 1 cup (240 ml) of skim milk with 1 and 1/2 tsp. (5-2.5 ml) melted butter for each cup of whole milk needed.
- Infuse hot milk with vanilla seeds, orange zest, or other herbs such as mint or lavender to complete the recipe.
