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10 Best Egg Substitutes for Cake Mix & How to Use Them

Short on time but need a cake? Boxed cake mix is easy to whip together in a few minutes, throw in the oven, and decorate once cooled.

Cake mix instructions are simple: add water, oil, and eggs. But what if you want a vegan cake? Or you don’t have eggs on hand? Maybe someone has an egg allergy.

Your cakes will still be delicious if you use one of the following substitutes for eggs in cake mix.

Why Use Egg in Cake Mix

Eggs are a crucial part of a baking recipe because they contribute to the cake’s structure. Eggs and flour help provide strength, while sugar and egg create a tender cake.

The egg ratio being off can mean the cake you pull out of the oven could be too soft, tough, flat, or chewy.

Have you ever bitten into a cake that felt as dry as sandpaper? It probably didn’t have enough eggs. Because eggs are mostly water, they add much-needed moisture to cakes.

Eggs help cakes rise, can add color, and a rich flavor to cakes. Though most baking recipes call for eggs, that doesn’t mean you can’t use a substitute.

What to Substitute for Egg in Cake Mix

Substitute for Egg in Cake Mix

Applesauce

1/4 cup of applesauce for one egg

Mashed Banana

1/4 cup of mashed bananas for one egg

Ground Flaxseeds

1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds with 3 tablespoons water for one whole egg

Plain Yogurt

1/4 of a cup of yogurt for one egg

Protein Powder

1 tablespoon protein powder with 3 tablespoons water for one egg

Silken Tofu

1/4 cup of pureed tofu for one egg

Vinegar and Baking Soda

1 tablespoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon baking soda for one egg

Solid Coconut Oil

1/4 cup of coconut oil for one egg

Aquafaba

3 tablespoons aquafaba for one whole egg

1 tablespoon aquafaba for one egg yolk

2 tablespoons aquafaba for one egg white

Mayonnaise

3 teaspoons mayo for one egg

1. Applesauce

applesauce

Apple sauce is a favorite replacement among bakers because it adds a little flavor and keeps the batter moist. However, it can make a cake a little denser.

Use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for every egg in the recipe. Don’t use more than a cup (four egg replacements), or you risk having a rubbery cake.

2. Mashed Banana

mashed banana

Full of potassium and Vitamin C, bananas are a great replacement if you want to sneak some nutrients into your cake.

Bananas will add a bit of sweetness and a subtle flavor. They’ll also help give the cake a beautiful golden brown color.

You’ll want to mash your bananas until they’re smooth. Then use 1/4 cup of mashed bananas for every egg in the recipe.

3. Ground Flaxseeds

flaxseed flour

Another option to make a box cake mix vegan is with flaxseeds. They’re also rich in fiber and protein, so they’ll make your cake a little healthier.

Flaxseeds do a similar job of thickening a cake batter as eggs. They’ll also add a strong nutty flavor, so flaxseed may not be the right substitution if you’re looking for a more subtle taste.

First, you’ll want to combine one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds with three tablespoons of water. Allow this mixture to sit and thicken for about five minutes. Then you can use it as you would an egg in your recipe. This mixture will replace one whole egg.

4. Plain Yogurt

plain yogurt

Yogurt will give a cake a smooth texture and a denser cake. It’s also full of protein, so it’s a great swap if you want to bake a healthier cake recipe.

You can use regular yogurt or soy yogurt as long as the yogurt is plain and unsweetened. Replace one egg with 1/4 of a cup of yogurt.

5. Protein Powder

protein powders

The protein in eggs contributes to the structure of the cake. You can mimic this with protein powder. Egg-protein powder is an obvious choice. But you can also use whey or rice protein if you want to cut eggs entirely.

One tablespoon of protein powder mixed with three tablespoons of water will replace one egg. Excess protein powder can quickly dry out a cake. Don’t replace more than two eggs per recipe.

6. Silken Tofu

silken tofu

The protein in tofu helps to stabilize the cake and won’t change the flavor too much.

Use a blender to break up the tofu until it’s silky and creamy. 1/4 cup of pureed tofu will substitute for one egg.

Take caution with recipes that need more than two eggs because the tofu substitution can make your cake too dense.

7. Vinegar and Baking Soda

vinegar and baking soda

The addition of vinegar and baking soda will make your cake rise, giving it a light, fluffy texture.

Replace each egg with one tablespoon of vinegar and one teaspoon of baking soda. Be sure to whisk well until thoroughly mixed.

Baking tip: apple cider vinegar has a milder flavor and will give a slight apple taste.

8. Solid Coconut Oil

solid coconut oil

Coconut oil has tons of healthy fats, so it’s a great replacement for eggs. Here’s a quick tip: refined coconut oil won’t have the coconut flavor, but unrefined will have the coconut taste. Keep that in mind when choosing solid coconut oil for your cake.

For every one egg, substitute 1/4 cup of coconut oil. Be sure to melt the oil over medium-low heat before adding it to the batter.

9. Aquafaba

aquafaba

Made from the water in which chickpeas are cooked, aquafaba is a favorite egg replacement for food writers and home bakers. It’s a great way to make desserts vegan and can replace whole eggs, egg yolks, and egg whites in recipes.

For whole eggs, substitute three tablespoons of aquafaba for one whole egg. Substitute one tablespoon of aquafaba for one egg yolk. And substitute two tablespoons of aquafaba for one egg white.

This is one of the best egg white substitute for cake mix.

10. Mayonnaise

mayonnaise

One of the best baking substitutes for eggs is mayonnaise because mayo contains eggs and oil.

But the additional oil in mayo means you have to know how to substitute mayo for eggs in cake mix the right way. For each egg in the recipe, add three teaspoons of mayo. You may need to minorly reduce the amount of oil, so your cake doesn’t come out too greasy.

Substituting mayo is a long-held baking secret because it can make your cake more moist and rich in flavor.

How to Make a Cake Mix without Eggs

Eggs are used in cake mixes to bind the ingredients together and to add moisture while baking. Making a cake mix without eggs is not always as difficult as it seems.

Here is a video to show you how to make without eggs:

Final Words

Requiring only three additional ingredients, a boxed cake mix is the easiest way to bake a delicious cake in less than an hour.

It’s great for busy parents needing something for a bake sale or a last-minute birthday party. But eggs aren’t always a necessary ingredient.

Whether you have an allergy, eat vegan, or run out before baking, you can use an egg substitute for cake mix and have just as delicious of a cake.

I’m Jennifer Schlette, a Registered Dietitian and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. I love cooking, reading, and my kids! Here you’ll find the healthiest recipes & substitutions for your cooking. Enjoy, and be well, friends!

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