Box Brownies- Applesauce instead of eggs?

cowboydan43
cowboydan43 Posts: 306 Member
edited October 2 in Recipes
I used the search and from what I can see people use applesauce (or pumpkin) instead of oil in a brownie mix but not eggs. I'm doing something for a demonstration in a course this week and wanted to show how vegan brownies can be just as delicious as ones with eggs but so far nothing is really backing my claim. Has anyone made brownies from a box and used applesauce instead of eggs (still using oil)? Were they good? Is the texture noticeably off?

Thanks!!
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Replies

  • Crystal817
    Crystal817 Posts: 2,021 Member
    Have you tried just looking for a regular vegan brownie recipe?
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member
    I would like to know, heres a bump!
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    What about bananas?
  • This is really irrelevant but my aunt tried to make vegan brownies by using beans instead of eggs. Don't do it. Ever. It was so bad.
  • mtbbabe
    mtbbabe Posts: 1 Member
    Do a search on egg substitutes on google. I think you can use a mixture of water and flax seed to replace the egg. I did this once when I ran out of eggs and if I remember correctly you would heat the mixture on the stove for a couple of minutes and it became the consistency of egg whites.
  • I have used applesauce, but it was to replace the oil not the eggs.
  • acasey0123
    acasey0123 Posts: 640 Member
    ive always switched the oil for applesauce...never eggs
  • I haven't found that substituting applesauce for eggs works really well because the applesauce doesn't function as a binder the way that eggs do most of the time. But I've used this recipe, which makes for really fudge-y delicious veganized box brownies:

    - 1 box brownie mix (make sure ingredients are vegan)
    - 1 tbsp. ground flax seed + 3 tbsp. warm water for every egg called for on the box
    - vegetable, canola, etc. oil
    - baking soda

    Other egg substitutes that sometimes work (just depending on the recipe, sometimes you have to experiment a little...):

    • canned pumpkin or butternut squash
    • mashed banana
    • mashed sweet potato
    • potato starch
    • flax seeds crushed and mixed with water
    • nut meal mixed with water
    • silken tofu
    • soy yogurt
    • vital wheat gluten

    Play around a little! Veganizing box mixes is totally doable!
  • cowboydan43
    cowboydan43 Posts: 306 Member
    Would thawed frozen bananas work? I wouldn't really want it to change the flavor but I guess it doesn't matter as long as they still taste good. That is why I thought applesauce would work because it is a pretty mild flavor. I'm looking up vegan brownies right now...either way it will be from the same box mix I just want to change up the wet ingredients.
  • cowboydan43
    cowboydan43 Posts: 306 Member
    I do have vital wheat gluten. Haven't done anything wit it yet- does it have a taste?
  • OnMyWay2STay
    OnMyWay2STay Posts: 144 Member
    I've used applesauce instead of both the oil and eggs in cake and brownies. I find them delicious (sweeter than following the recipe from the box)! The only problem is that they do seem to fall apart and crack sometimes. Do big deal unless you are decorating for a birthday.
  • cowboydan43
    cowboydan43 Posts: 306 Member
    This is really irrelevant but my aunt tried to make vegan brownies by using beans instead of eggs. Don't do it. Ever. It was so bad.

    Sounds pretty gross....I've heard of the black bean brownies or whatever. Ick
  • OnMyWay2STay
    OnMyWay2STay Posts: 144 Member
    Oh, and I've also used banana as a substitute for eggs and oil.
  • cowboydan43
    cowboydan43 Posts: 306 Member
    Oh, and I've also used banana as a substitute for eggs and oil.

    Since you have tried both which do you recommend?
  • VItal wheat gluten has a mild flavor - it mostly absorbs whatever flavors you impart to it. It's a great option for baking!
  • pmich08
    pmich08 Posts: 193
    You can sub 3 tbs applesauce per egg, or 1 tbs corn starch 1 tbs water per egg
  • lor007
    lor007 Posts: 884 Member
    I haven't ever used it with a box mix, but my daughter is allergic to soy and eggs, I use applesauce to replace both in various recipes.

    Just try it. If it fails you are only out a couple of bucks.
  • My sister is vegan and uses www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com to fix her sweet tooth. If you want a good recipe she likely has one.
  • Sallycinnimon
    Sallycinnimon Posts: 102 Member
    I make these brownie muffins (i'm sure you can just make a pan of brownies with it). Its a box of devils food cake mix and a can of pumpkin! and everyone at work didn't realize what they were! Hope it works for you!
  • Pangui
    Pangui Posts: 373 Member
    It won't work if you try and substitute bananas or applesauce for eggs. Those are substitutes for oil. The best substitute is a product called Ener G egg replacer and you can find it at health food stores. Otherwise, use ground flax seed. You don't need to heat it. Just add water and let it set up for a few minutes. If you choose to go that route, send me a message and I can get you the proper ratios of flax seed to water.
  • cowboydan43
    cowboydan43 Posts: 306 Member
    Thanks for the responses it looks like I have some major experimenting to do before Tuesday
  • heybrit
    heybrit Posts: 140
    In my experience using applesauce results in a more moist and fluffy brownie! There was no taste difference. It's f-ing delicious and I always do so when I bake because of how much more delicious they are that way.

    I've had muffins made with banana instead and they had a bit of the banana flavor, thus why I would be less apt to try this.
  • cowboydan43
    cowboydan43 Posts: 306 Member
    It won't work if you try and substitute bananas or applesauce for eggs. Those are substitutes for oil. The best substitute is a product called Ener G egg replacer and you can find it at health food stores. Otherwise, use ground flax seed. You don't need to heat it. Just add water and let it set up for a few minutes. If you choose to go that route, send me a message and I can get you the proper ratios of flax seed to water.

    I may resort to the Ener G egg, I've seen it around and had it in pancakes at a friend's before. I'm just cheap and it goes for around $10 here. I don't love my class that much.
  • kajones2009
    kajones2009 Posts: 93 Member
    I have used cornstarch in place of eggs before to make cookies, and they turned out quite well. ** cornstarch and water that is...
  • sarahsmom1
    sarahsmom1 Posts: 1,501 Member
    Bump
  • sarahsmom1
    sarahsmom1 Posts: 1,501 Member
    I used the search and from what I can see people use applesauce (or pumpkin) instead of oil in a brownie mix but not eggs. I'm doing something for a demonstration in a course this week and wanted to show how vegan brownies can be just as delicious as ones with eggs but so far nothing is really backing my claim. Has anyone made brownies from a box and used applesauce instead of eggs (still using oil)? Were they good? Is the texture noticeably off?

    Thanks!!



    This might sound strange, but these brownies actually come out rich and fudgy. They are low fat, high in fiber and protein and no one would know there are beans in them.

    I calculated these with a box of Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge Brownies, but I plan on buying reduced sugar to see if it lowers the points and still taste as good. Points may vary depending on which brand you use.



    Black Bean Brownies
    Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
    Servings: 20 servings • Serving Size: 1 brownie • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 4 pts
    Calories: 138.1 • Fat: 2.6 g • Protein: 2.9 g • Carb: 28 g • Fiber: 1.8 g

    15 oz can black beans
    19.5 oz box chocolate brownie mix

    Open can of beans, drain and rinse well. Put beans back in the can and fill can with water. Put beans and water in blender until smooth. Mix pureed beans with brownie package mix. DO NOT add eggs or oil. Spray baking dish with Pam. Cook brownies according to package directions. Cool and serve.
  • weight watcher and I have tried them they r ok they did fix my choc for that moment. u take brownie mix and take a can of black beans rinse them well. put them back in the can and add water then take them and puree them and add them to the brownies and you get your fiber too
  • cowboydan43
    cowboydan43 Posts: 306 Member
    Ahh black bean brownies sound really funky haha thanks for the recipe though its clearly a very healthy alternative
  • sarahsmom1
    sarahsmom1 Posts: 1,501 Member
    I used the search and from what I can see people use applesauce (or pumpkin) instead of oil in a brownie mix but not eggs. I'm doing something for a demonstration in a course this week and wanted to show how vegan brownies can be just as delicious as ones with eggs but so far nothing is really backing my claim. Has anyone made brownies from a box and used applesauce instead of eggs (still using oil)? Were they good? Is the texture noticeably off?

    Thanks!!
    There are several things you can use.

    1tbsp flax seeds + 3tbsp water=1 egg
    Finely grind flax seeds in coffee grinder or blender and mix with water. Works well in whole grain items and pancakes

    1/4cup Silken Tofu blended=1 egg
    Blend until smooth and creamy. Works best in dense cakes and brownies. For lighter cakes use smaller quantities(example, if it asks for 3 eggs, use 2 'tofu' eggs)

    1/2 banana blended
    Blend until smooth. Best in muffins and quickbreads

    1 1/2tbsp ener-g egg replacer + 2tbsp water=1 egg
    Works best in cookies and crispy things
  • cowboydan43
    cowboydan43 Posts: 306 Member
    Hmm silken tofu sounds like it would be easy to use as a replacement. I wonder about the binding properties though? Thanks for the tips
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