If you’ve ever made a recipe that required egg whites, you may be left wondering what to do with the egg yolks. Throwing them away seems like a waste, but what can you really bake with them? The good news is that egg yolks are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of sweet and savory recipes.
Vanilla Custard
Vanilla custard is a classic dessert that’s made with egg yolks, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla. It’s a rich and creamy treat that’s perfect on its own or as a topping for pies and cakes.
Lemon Curd
Lemon curd is a tangy and sweet spread that’s made with egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and butter. It’s perfect for spreading on toast or using as a filling for cakes and cupcakes.
Pastry Cream
Pastry cream is a thick and creamy filling that’s used in a variety of desserts, including éclairs, cream puffs, and fruit tarts. It’s made with egg yolks, milk, sugar, and cornstarch.
Hollandaise Sauce
Hollandaise sauce is a rich and buttery sauce that’s perfect for topping eggs Benedict or as a dipping sauce for asparagus. It’s made with egg yolks, butter, lemon juice, and a touch of cayenne pepper.
Mayo
Mayo is a versatile condiment that’s used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches to salads. It’s made with egg yolks, oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
Homemade Pasta
Making homemade pasta may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy. The dough is made with egg yolks, flour, and a little bit of water. Once the dough is made, you can cut it into any shape you like, from spaghetti to fettuccine.
Chocolate Pudding
Chocolate pudding is a rich and creamy dessert that’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. It’s made with egg yolks, milk, cream, sugar, and chocolate.
Crème Brûlée
Crème brûlée is a decadent dessert that’s made with egg yolks, cream, sugar, and vanilla. The custard is topped with a layer of caramelized sugar that creates a crunchy texture.
Flan
Flan is a sweet and creamy dessert that’s popular in Latin America and Spain. It’s made with egg yolks, milk, sugar, and vanilla, and is baked in a water bath to create a silky texture.
Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream is a treat that’s hard to beat. It’s made with egg yolks, cream, sugar, and your choice of flavorings, such as vanilla extract or cocoa powder. You’ll need an ice cream maker to churn the mixture into a creamy, frozen dessert.
Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is a comforting dessert that’s perfect for using up stale bread. It’s made with egg yolks, milk, cream, sugar, and cubes of bread. You can customize the flavor by adding cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, or other mix-ins.
Yellow Cake
Yellow cake is a classic dessert that’s perfect for birthdays and special occasions. It’s made with egg yolks, flour, sugar, and butter, and can be frosted with your choice of frosting, such as chocolate or vanilla buttercream.
Pâte à Choux
Pâte à choux is a versatile pastry dough that’s used to make cream puffs, éclairs, and other desserts. It’s made with egg yolks, flour, butter, and water, and is cooked on the stove before being piped onto a baking sheet and baked in the oven.
Egg Yolk Cookies
Egg yolk cookies are a twist on traditional sugar cookies. They’re made with egg yolks, flour, sugar, and butter, and are flavored with vanilla extract or other flavorings. They have a rich, buttery flavor and a soft, crumbly texture.
FAQs
Yes, you can freeze egg yolks for later use. Just whisk them together and store them in an airtight container in the freezer.
Egg yolks can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days if they’re covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container.
It depends on the recipe. If the recipe calls for a large number of eggs, substituting just yolks may affect the texture and structure of the dish.
Yes, pasteurized egg yolks are safe to use in these recipes.
Leftover egg whites can be used in a variety of recipes, such as meringues, angel food cake, or macarons.
Conclusion
Egg yolks are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savory recipes. From custards and puddings to pastries and cakes, there are countless ways to use up those leftover yolks. Experiment with different flavors and textures to find your favorite egg yolk recipe.
