Save Money with This Simple Egg Substitute: Applesauce to the Rescue!

In today’s economy, the rising cost of eggs has many home bakers searching for affordable alternatives. One surprisingly effective solution might already be in your pantry: unsweetened applesauce. Using Musselman’s unsweetened applesauce as an egg substitute not only saves money but can also add moisture and natural sweetness to your baked goods.

The Simple Swap: How It Works

The conversion is straightforward: replace one egg with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce in your recipes. This substitution works particularly well in baked goods where eggs serve as a binding agent and provide moisture.

Best Uses for Applesauce as an Egg Substitute

This substitution works exceptionally well in:
Muffins: The natural moisture in applesauce creates tender, perfectly moist muffins. Try it in banana, pumpkin, or carrot muffins where the fruit flavors complement each other.
Quick Breads: Zucchini bread, banana bread, and other quick breads maintain their texture and moistness with applesauce instead of eggs.
Brownies: The natural sweetness of applesauce works wonderfully in chocolate-based recipes, creating fudgy, moist brownies.
Cookie Bars: Dense, chewy bar cookies hold together well with applesauce as a binder.
Cake: Most cake recipes, especially spice cakes and chocolate cakes, turn out beautifully with this substitution.

Tips for Success

Stick to unsweetened applesauce to maintain better control over your recipe’s sweetness
You might need to reduce other liquids in the recipe by 2-3 tablespoons
Expect a slightly denser final product
Consider reducing baking time by 2-3 minutes, as applesauce can speed up baking
For best results, bring applesauce to room temperature before using

When Not to Use This Substitute

While applesauce works great in many recipes, it’s not suitable for:

Angel food cake or sponge cakes that rely heavily on eggs for structure
Recipes requiring more than 3 egg substitutions
Dishes where eggs are the star ingredient (like quiche or frittatas)

Conclusion

With egg prices continuing to surge, using applesauce as an egg substitute offers a practical, budget-friendly solution for home bakers. Not only does it save money, but it can also create deliciously moist baked goods with added nutritional benefits. Give this simple swap a try in your next baking project and taste the difference for yourself!