What Can You Use as a Substitute for Eggs when Baking?

Although eggs form the basis of the majority of cake recipes, there are many egg substitutes that could also be used equally satisfactorily. The main purpose of eggs is as a binding agent which provides the right texture and quality when mixed with the other cake ingredients

Due to the fact that eggs are perishable similar to meat and fish, there is always the need to ensure that these products are used well within the sell by date. However, egg substitutes do not have such a rigid timescale to be complied with so are a good standby to have in any case. But for many people, especially vegetarians, these substitutes are used constantly.

There are several effective forms of substituting eggs when baking such as buttermilk, gelatine, pureed fruits, flaxseed, vinegar and baking powder.

Buttermilk is often effectively used for eggless cake recipes resulting in a soft and fluffy texture. By using half a cup of buttermilk this equates to one egg. One point to remember when using this type of milk is to reduce the amount of water used.

Gelatine which should be unsweetened and unflavoured; is another commonly used egg substitute and many vegetarians have a preference for using this option. The proportion for this in cake dough is one tablespoon gelatine mixed with three tablespoons tepid water.

An alternative to buttermilk is pureed fruits. For example, by using three tablespoons of pureed banana this is equivalent to using one egg, and can still produce a soft cake texture.

Another good option is flaxseed. By combining flaxseed oil with water instead of an egg, this can result in a favorable cake mix.

A mixture of white vinegar and baking powder is yet another substitute for eggs. By blending together one tablespoon of water and white vinegar and adding one teaspoon of baking powder, this is a successful method particularly if more than one egg is required.

As you can see there are several alternatives to using eggs in baking; it's simply a case of preference and efficiency most appropriate for you. However, should you require something that is more convenient, then ready made egg substitute products are also available in the market place.