Updated on April 9th, 2023
Every food enthusiast knows and respects the benefits of applesauce in baking recipes. Not only does it make the baked goods tender and moist, but it also gives it a delicious flavor as well. But sometimes, you may need to replace applesauce in your baking recipe for various reasons. And with this need comes the dilemma of selecting what works best for you. The good thing is there are ideal substitutes for applesauce in baking. Many work in general recipes like cakes, cookies, and even brownies. The best thing about these alternatives is they’re probably already in your kitchen. Plus, you also get options for special needs like vegan baking.
Why You Need an Applesauce Substitute in Baking?
A lot of reasons may push you to consider seeking an alternative to applesauce in your baking. Most times, you need a replacement because you didn’t notice on time that you’re out of applesauce. It may also be that either you or whoever you’re baking for doesn’t like applesauce. If you’re on a high-calorie diet, you’ll be looking for ingredients with lots of carbs, and applesauce isn’t one. Sometimes, many of us are curious and want to give our recipes a different taste. And on rare occasions, we have those with apple allergies and have to take out the applesauce completely.
Applesauce Nutrition Facts
Applesauce in Baking Recipes
Before we delve into the various substitutes for applesauce, let’s first highlight what it does. Most times, baking recipes call for ingredients that add moisture and are high in fat and calories. As such, you’ll find most lists of baking items containing granulated sugar, butter, oil, and eggs. These items cause many pro-healthy dieticians to frown at baked goods. So, to solve this problem, applesauce became the most obvious substitute.
Applesauce is commonly used to replace sugar, oil, and even eggs in baking recipes. And this is because it’s a highly versatile ingredient that can recreate the effects of these ingredients in baked goods. Sugar is commonly replaced in desserts with sweetened applesauce. Eggs can be substituted with applesauce, and the baked goods will still come out well-formed. And applesauce is high in moisture, making it ideal for creating a tender dough.
But perhaps the most prominent reason applesauce is mainly used in baking recipes is its low-fat, low-calorie content. When it’s added to the dough, the baked goods made from it turn out to be the healthiest. Because of applesauce, more pro-health dieticians have fully converted to consuming baked goods. And they’ll use it in a wide variety of recipes, including;
- Cakes
- Muffins
- Puffs
- Frosting
- Waffles
- Bread
- Pancakes
- Cookies
- Biscuits
- Brownies
- Applesauce bars
- Blondies
- Donuts
Applesauce Substitutes in Baking
When you run out of applesauce or need to completely take it out of the menu, these substitutes can be of great help. You’ll find options that suit different dietary lifestyles, and the best part is they’re all ingredients you can quickly get. Check them out;
Pureed Apples
If you don’t have an apple allergy, you can make your replacement for applesauce right there in your kitchen. All you need are apples and a high-powered blender, and you’ll end up with pureed apples. To make this, wash and core some apples and puree them at high power in the blender. This option is the best way to infuse the same flavor and texture profiles expected from applesauce without worrying about additives and artificial sweeteners. And you can use pureed apples in equal quantities as applesauce in any recipe.
Mashed Bananas
If you don’t have apples in your kitchen or allergic to them, you can replace the applesauce with mashed bananas. Like applesauce, bananas are flexible and can be used for various reasons in baking. They make a great source of moisture, add texture, and taste amazing in baked goods. When using bananas to replace applesauce, make sure they’re very ripe before you use them. If the applesauce is the primary ingredient in your baking recipe, replace ½ a cup of it by mashing a medium-sized banana with little water. Note that mashed bananas cook faster than applesauce, so you should either adjust oven time or keep a close eye on the recipe.
Silken Tofu
Vegans tend to have a batch of silken tofu sitting somewhere in their fridge, and if you’re one, you can use it to replace applesauce in your baking recipes. Unlike its counterparts, silken tofu has lesser protein, so it shared a similar nutrient profile as applesauce. This condition makes it an ideal substitute for applesauce if you wish to create the same effects as butter or oils. Silken tofu can be switched with applesauce at equal ratios in recipes like banana bread and chocolate cakes.
Yogurt
Yogurt also works as a healthy substitute for applesauce and is an excellent option if you’re looking to cut down fat in your recipe. Yogurt is also rich in calcium and contributes a creamy texture to baked goods. Its ability to soften crusts is why it’s used by some people in pizza dough and cakes. And its high-moisture content means you’ll end up with tender baked goods. Note that yogurt has more moisture than applesauce, so when using, substitute ¾ cups for every cup of applesauce.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise combines numerous qualities you can find in applesauce, which is why it’s a handy substitute. It can easily replace oil and eggs in your recipe since it already contains them. It also adds an extra dose of moisture to the baked goods that’ll last even longer than that from applesauce. And its vinegar content further enhances the flavor of the recipe. Mayonnaise works best for cakes, as its high-moisture retention is most helpful in this aspect. It’s why it’s a popular alternative to applesauce in chocolate cakes, boxed cakes, cheesecakes, and many others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use oil instead of applesauce?
Yes, you can. If you have no problems consuming oil in your baked goods, you can substitute it with applesauce in equal ratios. Be sure, of course, to use any oil you most prefer. Coconut oil, for instance, creates the tastiest effect in baking.
Can I use butter instead of applesauce?
Yes, you can. Butter is renowned for creating a creamy, crumbly texture to baked goods. And it can help add a certain amount of moisture to the dough, but not as much as applesauce. So, to substitute, use twice the amount of applesauce in the recipe with butter.
Why does applesauce work as an egg substitute?
Applesauce, like eggs, is capable of binding the ingredients in the dough. The pectin in the applesauce is why it’s able to do this.
Conclusion
When you need to take out applesauce from your recipe list for whatever reason, you should consider any of these substitutes. Every option here can perform the same function in baked goods, depending on how the applesauce is used initially. Plus, they’ll also give your recipe an exciting taste, so you have the chance to create a unique batch of deliciousness every time you bake.
