The Kosher Kitchen: Dairy Baked Goods

The Prohibition of Baking Dairy Bread

The Talmudic Sages forbade kneading dough with milk to make bread, out of concern that one might inadvertently eat the bread with meat, as bread is commonly eaten with all kinds of meals.

Even if such bread was mistakenly baked, it is entirely forbidden to eat.

Small Dairy Breads

It is permitted to bake small dairy breads—just enough for a single meal. In such cases, there is no concern that leftover bread might later be eaten with meat. 

Baking for Multiple Families

One may bake multiple dairy breads each of which is sufficient for just one meal, as long as this is just for your own household.

However, it is not permitted to bake for several families and divide among them—even if each family receives only enough for one meal.

Distinctive Shapes and Signs

One may bake large dairy loaves if they are clearly distinguishable as dairy.

This is achieved by baking them in an unusual shape or design that is only used for dairy baked goods.

Sweet Dough

If dough is kneaded with sugar and is distinctly sweet—making it uncustomary to eat with meat—it is permitted to mix milk into the dough. There is no concern that someone will eat it with meat.

Dairy-Filled Doughnuts

Based on these principles, it is permitted to bake and sell doughnuts that contain milk. However, vendors must clearly inform customers that the doughnuts are dairy and label them as such.

This is especially important because most doughnuts are typically pareve (neither dairy nor meat), and buyers might otherwise mistakenly eat them within six hours of eating meat.