The main differences between regular yogurt and Greek yogurt is the thickness and the protein content. Regular yogurts are typically much thinner than Greek yogurt and they contain less protein. In baked goods, the thinner, watery consistency can result in a tougher end product. Greek yogurt is similar to sour cream in that it makes baked goods moist and tender, with a fine crumb. In most cases, Greek yogurt provides a better texture in baked goods. On the other hand, if you're using a recipe designed for regular yogurt, Greek yogurt may be too thick. In this case, thin the Greek yogurt with a little milk.

Greek yogurt has a pronounced tang that balances the sweetness of many baked good recipes in the same way sour cream would. Plain yogurt has a milder taste. Although manufacturers are constantly adding more flavors, you'll probably find more flavor choices in regular yogurt. For most baked goods, go with an unflavored or vanilla plain or Greek yogurt. For cheesecakes, you may appreciate the wide flavor selection available for plain yogurt.

Greek yogurt is generally more expensive than regular plain yogurt. If you're counting pennies, opt for regular yogurt, or make your own Greek yogurt. Place a coffee filter in a sieve and place the sieve over a bowl. Fill the sieve with regular yogurt and refrigerate overnight. The water in the yogurt will drain, leaving behind a thick Greek-style yogurt. Keep the liquid, which is whey, and can be used as a substitute for buttermilk in baking.

Here's a quick tip for using yogurt in baking: use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, but use plain yogurt when a recipe calls for buttermilk. If a recipe calls for yogurt, use plain yogurt unless the recipe specifically calls for Greek yogurt. Whole or low-fat yogurt generally produces better results than nonfat yogurt in baked goods, because the fat acts as a tenderizer. You can use nonfat yogurt, but the result might be harder.