Eggs are incredibly healthy and versatile, making them a popular food for many. They’re especially common in baking, where nearly every recipe calls for them. But, for various reasons, some people avoid eggs. Fortunately, there are plenty of replacements you can use instead. This blog explores the various ingredients that can be used as egg alternatives.
“As a mom of a toddler diagnosed at the age of two with an egg allergy, I felt somewhat deflated and had to change my thinking process as the reality of living a mostly egg-free life started to dawn on me,” says Des de Beer, Clamber Club Toddler franchisee for Northcliff (Johannesburg).
After cow’s milk, hen’s egg allergy is the second most common food allergy in infants and young children. Yet, eggs are used in so many recipes. When you or your children are allergic to them, you need to know what to look out for on food labels and what you can use as a replacement ingredient when you cook or bake. You can also help your children understand the importance of an egg-free diet, making their lives happier and healthier.
Baking offers many opportunities for kids to work on their motor skills. Pouring liquids requires careful eye-hand coordination and mixing dough strengthens muscles. A baking session will no doubt afford your youngsters an excellent work-out and a wonderful opportunity to hone their developmental skills.
SOME BENEFITS OF BAKING WITH KIDS INCLUDE:
Bilateral coordination
Eye-hand coordination
Hand strengthening
Spatial perceptions
Planning skills
This simple egg-free chocolate brownie recipe makes a great introduction to baking and Des used the following ingredients to bake these delicious brownies:
All-purpose flour, 1 cup
Powdered sugar, ¾ cup
Butter, 1/3 cup at room temperature
Cocoa powder, 1/3 cup
Thick plain yogurt, ½ cup
Dark cooking chocolate, 1/3 cup
Baking powder, 1.5 tsp
Salt, a pinch
Vanilla essence, 1 tsp
Water, ¾ cup
In a bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, a pinch of salt and baking powder.
In another bowl, cream the butter and yogurt together along with vanilla essence. Add the dry ingredient mix.
Add water and gently fold the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Add the grated/chopped dark chocolate and fold it in.
Pour the brownie batter into the baking tray and tap it gently to avoid any air bubbles.
Set in the oven at 160C for 35 minutes or until a tester inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and let it cool down. Invert onto plate and cut equal squares.
Serve hot or cold with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or custard.
Enjoy your time in the kitchen with your toddler, you are building memories that will last forever.
DES DE BEER
Franchise Owner – Clamber Club Toddlers – Northcliff (Johannesburg)
northcliff@clamberclub.com