Don't throw away your leftover egg yolks! These tasty dessert recipes call for just yolks, so you can cut down on waste and never wonder what to do with extra egg yolks again.
If you bake anything that uses egg whites - angel food cake, meringue, macarons - you've probably ended up staring at a bowl of leftover egg yolks and wondering what to do with them. Tossing them feels wasteful, but it's not always obvious which recipes use just yolks.
Back when I ran my bakery, leftover yolks were a regular part of the workflow. Learning how to use them well meant less waste and better baking - turning something that could easily be thrown away into rich fillings, silky custards, and delicious desserts.
This guide will help you do the same at home. Whether you have a single yolk or a small stack in the fridge, I'll show you simple, tasty ways to use them up, plus the kinds of recipes egg yolks really shine in - so nothing goes to waste, and every part of the egg is put to good use.
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When it comes to baking and desserts, egg yolks are liquid gold. They're packed with fat and natural emulsifiers that give baked goods a richer flavor, creamier texture, and beautiful golden color. It's almost a crime to throw them away after separating whole eggs.
So I pass my years of re-egg-vention onto you. Even if you only have one or two extra yolks on hand, there are simple ways to create delicious fillings, frostings, and treats. In this guide, I've shared my favorite recipes, tips, and techniques for using leftover yolks so you can reduce waste and enjoy some scrumptious baking by doing so!
Egg Yolk Recipes: Fillings and Frostings
Egg yolks are a key ingredient for making the BEST frostings and fillings - they bring a bold richness of flavor as well as luxurious creaminess.
Learn to make the ultimate pastry chef staple with this simple recipe! You'll create a thick custard filling that's perfect for tarts, desserts, and your favorite pastries.
French buttercream has the same luxurious texture as Italian meringue buttercream, but with a rich custardy flavor created by the egg yolks! You can swirl it on top of cakes, cupcakes, and even between sandwich cookies! I love to use it to spruce up my French Vanilla Cake.
Not only is custard sauce a great way to use leftover egg yolks, but it could also be a great accompaniment to whatever you made with the egg whites! Or use it for another cosy dessert like blueberry crumble, peach crisp, or chocolate cake. It's also the base for custard ice cream recipes.
Are you a pistachio-lover? Then this recipe is for you. Made with real pistachios, you can use this silky-smooth pistachio pastry cream with anything that would usually go with regular pastry cream - think donuts, profiteroles, choux buns - and give them a delicious pistachio flavor!
Want a dreamy custard frosting that is piepable and holds its shape? Whip up some crème pâtissière and whisk it into whipped butter to create this silky-smooth frosting - perfect for topping things like my vanilla custard cake.
Just like the recipe above, but immensely chocolatey! This chocolate custard buttercream frosting is to die for. You can pipe this on top of treats like chocolate cupcakes and French vanilla cake, fill donuts and pastries, or smother it between layers, just like I do in my Prinzregententorte.
Who knew egg yolks were autumnal? Give pumpkin spice curd a rich flavor and creamy texture with your leftover egg yolks. You can spread it on toast, pour it over your breakfast, fill your tarts and pies, or even use it as a surprise filling - I love to do this with my pumpkin spice cupcakes.
Egg Yolk Recipes: Desserts
Some of the most classic desserts and puddings require egg yolks alone to make them perfect. Choose from a range of timeless favorites and delicious new treats.
With my simple recipe, you'll be a crème brûlée expert in no time. Egg yolks are what make this classic French dessert extra creamy and full of satisfying flavor.
Bake a showstopper dessert that will have you and your besties drooling for more! I discovered this French chocolate flan during a trip to Paris, and I knew I had to create my own tasty version - I've been addicted to it ever since.
These timeless treats will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Turn your leftover egg yolks into pastry cream to fill mini shortcrust tart shells and top with fresh strawberries covered in a glossy strawberry glaze.
I am OBSESSED with these homemade donuts. What makes them so delicious is the crème diplomat filling, which you can make with your leftover yolks. It combines fresh pastry cream with stabilized whipped cream to create the most divine donut bites.
These chocolate cupcakes are topped with a rich German chocolate frosting that's made with egg yolks and loaded with toasted pecans and shredded coconut - packed with flavor and crunch!
These individual custard desserts are perfect for your next dinner party! You'll learn how to make 2 desserts in one: the crème anglaise base is the same custard sauce that you can pour over all of your desserts.
Make the ultimate fluffy donuts by filling them with fresh pastry cream. This delicious custard filling will ooze out in every bite and leave you wanting more! Be sure to let the custard cool for at least 2 hours before filling your donuts.
Caramelized crème brulee...flavored with real pumpkin...baked inside mini pumpkins! What's not to like? I make these Jack-Be-Littles every Halloween, and they always go down a treat.
Google has ranked this recipe in the number 1 spot out of all the red velvet brownie recipes out there! These viral brownies are super moist, rich, and fudgy - would you believe one egg yolk makes all the difference?
Egg Yolk Recipes: Cakes
Incorporating rich and creamy layers of egg-yolk-based fillings and toppings can really elevate your cakes to make them even tastier.
Vanilla cake doesn't have to be boring - level it up with custard! With one batch of homemade pastry cream, you can create a silky-smooth custard filling to go between your layers of fluffy sponge, as well as a rich custard buttercream frosting.
Use the hot-milk method to create the moistest vanilla sponge cake that stays moist for days! It pairs perfectly with a thick sandwich layer of custard pastry cream, which lets you use up your leftover egg yolks.
To make the ultimate layers of chocolate mousse for your tuxedo cake, temper your egg yolks with heavy cream, mix in the chocolate until it melts, then fold the mixture into freshly whipped cream.
Turn this Italian classic dessert into a fabulous layer cake! You can use up your spare egg yolks in the homemade mascarpone cream. They add richness to the flavor and make the frosting even creamier.
Let this decadent strawberry cake be your go-to summer showstopper! The crème mousseline filling is made by folding pastry cream into whipped butter - it is absolutely as scrumptious as it sounds.
I made this classic German cake while doing a Great British Bake Off bake along, and it's been a favorite of mine ever since. Use your leftover egg yolks to make a rich and luscious chocolate custard buttercream, spread between thin layers of genoise sponge, then smother the whole thing in chocolate ganache.
The Role of Egg Yolks in Baking
Egg yolks are high in fat and natural emulsifiers, which help create desserts that are more tender, moist, and flavorful. They add richness without greasiness, improve texture, and give desserts that soft, creamy mouthfeel you'll notice in custards, curds, and cheesecakes. Yolks also add a lovely golden color, which makes baked goods look even more delicious!
Instead of letting leftover yolks sit in the fridge until they're forgotten, come back to these go-to recipes to use your yolks to their full potential.
Egg White Recipes
Got some leftover egg whites? Use them up with these tasty desserts:
Leftover Egg Yolk FAQs
Spare yolks will keep for 2-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Egg yolks are best stored in the fridge in an airtight container. To prevent your yolks from drying out, cover them with a little cold water and drain them off before using.
The simplest way to use spare egg yolks is as an egg wash on pastries, scones, and pie crusts. Some of my easiest yolk-based desserts are floating islands, tiramisu cake, crème brûlée, and red velvet brownies.
Bonus Tip
Always bring egg yolks to room temperature before baking - they'll blend smoothly into the other ingredients and create the perfect creamy texture.
I'd love to hear how you put leftover yolks to work in your own kitchen. Let me know if you try any of my recipes, and drop a comment below with your favorite yolk-based treats, tips, or even experiments - you never know whose idea might inspire the next egg-cellent bake!
Hi, I'm Jules!
I'm a Scottish ex-bakery owner sharing my tried and true dessert recipes and expert tips to help you whip up impressive desserts at home.
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Happy Baking!