What happens if you make brownies without eggs?
In this brief guide, we will answer the question, “What happens if you make brownies without eggs?”. We will further elaborate on the possible ways to make brownies if you forgot to add eggs.
What happens if you make brownies without eggs?
If you make brownies without eggs, the brownies will become hard, dry, and crumble.
Eggs are enriched with protein which is essential for the chemistry and structure of the brownies. The proteins in eggs, together with the proteins in the flour, work to form the cake’s crumb.
Eggs even entrap air when the batter is beaten, assisting in leavening the cake. Lastly, the emulsifiers in the egg yolk allow the water and fat-based components to blend into a soft-textured batter, which successively winds up in cakes with a tight, velvety and consistent crumb.
What is the role of eggs in brownies?
When we prepare a dish every ingredient has its own part to play like some will give the flavor, some will help bind all the ingredients together, some will help in baking, and some will provide a pleasant aroma.
In the same way, eggs are also an important part of brownies because they are capable of binding the brownie mixture altogether upon baking.
Eggs as emulsifier
Since eggs have both fat (egg yolk) and protein (egg white), adding them into brownie batter enables them to bind the fat components with other components. In simple words, eggs bind oil to water and save them from splitting during baking.
Eggs as a leavening agent
As the eggs are totally incorporated into the batter, the water-repelling proteins in the eggs bind with air to form air bubbles. while the water-attracting proteins bind with the other ingredients, making a structure that carries the air bubbles in position.
During baking, heat expands and pop the air bubbles while the batter encircling the air bubbles stays intact. The trapped, expanding air makes the brownies rise, forming a structure that is light and smooth in proportion to the number of eggs added.
Why should we add eggs to brownies?
The addition of eggs is necessary not only for the binding of ingredients in the batter but also for highly nutritious components such as fat and protein that are found in the yolk and white part of eggs.
Eggs also provide hydration to the batter which gives a smooth, risen texture to the brownie.
How to fix the eggs?
If you have placed the batter in the oven without eggs and you realize your mistake in the middle of baking, there is no need to panic. brownies could be eaten without eggs although they will not taste as good as with eggs.
But if you get to know just or before placing the batter in the oven, you can also have another option to scoop the batter of brownie again in the mixing pot or bowl and add properly beaten eggs. Wash and dry the baking pan and spray it. So that batter does not attach to the bottom of the baking pan.
The taste will be the same after baking but you will feel a slight difference in your brownies. It will hold more oil as usual due to remixing and again spraying the pan. This difference would not be noticed if you do not add eggs but on the other side, brownies will be flat and dry without eggs.
Alternatives of eggs in brownies
If you are avoiding eggs due to some allergic reason or any other, then you can go for some other pantry goods despite eggs in brownies.
Some substituted products for eggs in brownies are described below:
- Applesauce
- Mashed banana
- Baking soda
- Tapioca
- Arrowroot powder
Applesauce
Applesauce mixed with a very small amount of mashed banana and with a slight addition of baking soda can go perfectly in place of eggs in brownies. It will not let the brownie dry and will also raise the brownie well.
Tapioca
Tapioca starch should be used in a single or double spoonful in brownie batter after mixing with a very small amount of warm water. This mixture will help you to replace the eggs in your batter and to enjoy an egg-free brownie recipe.
Arrowroot powder
Arrowroot powder could also be used in place of eggs.
Ground flax seeds
Another good alternative for eggs in brownies is ground flax seeds. For substitution, add 1 part ground flax seed and mix it with 3 parts warm water, swirl and keep it for almost ten mins prior to adding it to the mixture. It provides fiber, emulsifiers and a strong gel effect.
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Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have provided an answer to the question, “What happens if you make brownies without eggs?”. We have further elaborated on the possible ways to make brownies if you forgot to add eggs.
