Using Applesauce as an Egg Replacement

If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with an egg allergy, this does not mean that you need to give up your favorite baked goods.

Although it is true that cakes, cookies, brownies and many other baked goods require eggs, there is an easy substitute. Using applesauce instead of eggs is a simple way to turn most baked goods into egg-free treats.

Substituting Applesauce for Eggs

You do not need to have a food allergy to enjoy delicious treats that have been made without eggs. You can substitute 1/4 cup of applesauce for each large egg in a recipe. If your recipe calls for two eggs, simply add 1/2 cup of applesauce.

Many people who are trying to reduce the amount of cholesterol in their diets make this substitution, as well as those with an egg allergy. You may need to develop a taste for baked goods made without eggs because they often have a denser texture and may have a somewhat different taste.

Helpful Hints

You may want to experiment with various recipes to see how they turn out when you substitute applesauce for eggs. Eggs bind the flour and other ingredients together, and they provide lightness to baked goods that should be fluffy. One way to make eggless baked goods fluffier is to add an additional 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder to your recipe. This amount is in addition to the amount your recipe calls for. Add this even if your recipe calls for baking soda, and your eggless treat will be lighter and fluffier.

Vegan recipe books or online recipes are the safest way to find tried and true ways to successfully substitute applesauce for eggs. Many recipes, such as one for eggless chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, do not use eggs. Instead, they are full of healthy ingredients like oatmeal, nuts, seeds, bananas, peanut butter, raisins, vegan chocolate chips and applesauce. These cookies look like regular chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, but anyone with an egg allergy can safely eat them. Because they contain peanut butter, someone with a peanut allergy needs to avoid this particular recipe.

A Tasty Benefit

The benefit of using applesauce in baked goods is that it provides a delicious moistness to cakes and quick breads like banana bread or pumpkin bread. The most successful recipes are for baked goods that have a heavy texture like quick bread or brownies. Applesauce is frequently used as a substitute for butter or oil in a recipe, and it is not used as commonly as a substitute for eggs. With some effort, you can try replacing applesauce in your own recipes, or find tasty recipes in vegan cookbooks and online.