Last week, I shared how I used chia seed ‘eggs’ instead of chicken eggs in some baking recipes. Since then, I have learned more about baking without eggs. Our friends at AnswerLine shared these tips with me:
- When eggs are used in a recipe to bind the ingredients together, use the ‘chia egg’ or ‘flax egg’ I shared about in my previous blog. As a reminder, one chicken egg is equal to one tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flax seeds plus three tablespoons of water.
- When eggs are used for moisture or for flavor, use 1/4 cup of applesauce, mashed banana, or mashed avocado. Just be aware of how these substitutions might change the color or flavor of the recipe.
- Tofu can also be used in place of chicken eggs. Chopped firm tofu can be used in recipes that call for scrambled eggs, such as fried rice. Diced extra-firm tofu can be used instead of boiled eggs for recipes like egg salad or potato salad. Or, 1/4 cup of silken tofu can be used for moisture in baking just like applesauce.
I mentioned in my last blog that I would like to try baking cookies with an egg substitute. The first recipe I tried was Cranberry Oatmeal Bars. In cookie recipes, the eggs are mainly meant to bind the ingredients, so I used ‘flax eggs’. This recipe calls for two eggs, so I used two tablespoons of ground flax seeds and six tablespoons of water. We all liked how these turned out. I also liked that I could find ground flax seeds at my neighborhood grocery store for only $5.49 a bag. With about 70 tablespoons of ground flax in the bag, that comes out to $0.08 per ‘flax egg’. Some other Spend Smart. Eat Smart. cookie recipes you could try with a ‘flax egg’ are Oatmeal Cookies, Breakfast Cookies, and Fruit Pizza.
I also tried making a cake without eggs. In cakes, eggs are used for binding ingredients and to add moisture. So, I made a version of our Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes recipe. I combined a chocolate cake mix with one (15 ounce) can of pumpkin, two ‘flax eggs’, and 1/4 cup of applesauce. The recipe turned out the same as it usually does and everyone in my home enjoyed having cake for a treat. You could try this with a white, yellow, or spice cake mix as well. If egg prices continue to be high, I will check back in with more of my baking adventures.
