Need A Vegan Baking Substitute For Eggs? Try Soda Water

For those leading vegan lifestyles, finding replacements for common baking ingredients is often challenging. Being animal-free doesn't mean you must forgo all tasty baked treats, but it can be hard to find ingredients that replicate the same effects as the animal-based items that are commonly used. 

Take eggs, for instance — a staple of so many recipes. As an animal product, eggs are a no-go for vegans. However, they play a crucial role in many types of baked goods.

Baking recipes can call for eggs for a multitude of reasons. Eggs can be used to add stability, make batters thicker, allow ingredients to merge successfully, and even help with leavening when whipped into a frenzy. As a result, vegan bakers must find an ingredient that can mimic these effects while also ensuring that preparations remain animal-free. To this end, there's an excellent swap you can make in your recipes: soda water.

Many vegans swap out eggs in preference of oil, such as vegetable oil, when baking cakes and other baked goods. And while this swap is often effective, it's not the only tool you have in your baking arsenal. Soda water is equally effective in cakes when going for that light, fluffy texture that's so crave-worthy in cake batter.

The bubbles in soda and seltzer water hold air inside the mix in the same way that whipping egg whites infuses cake batter with air. Additionally, soda water doesn't alter the taste of the cake recipe because it lacks a discernible flavor of its own. That means it allows you to achieve the perfect texture without affecting the taste. 

For the best results, use ¼ of a cup of seltzer for every egg called for in the recipe. And, of course, this ingredient hack is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to vegan baking.

Many people use honey as a sweetener instead of sugar due to concerns about sugar's impact on health and wellness. While honey is not an option for vegans, there are plenty of animal-free sweeteners that can be used instead. For a neutral flavor, agave syrup is a great selection. Sourced from agave plants, this syrup is incredibly sweet thanks to its elevated fructose levels. Sweeteners such as maple syrup and molasses are also excellent choices, but keep in mind they will impart earthier flavors into recipes.

As for butter, different types of plant-based oils can do the trick. However, the exact type you choose depends on the details of the recipe. When you're in need of creamed butter, vegetable shortening and coconut oil both maintain solidity at room temperatures. In the event a recipe calls for melted butter, you're free to use plain old olive or vegetable oil. 

Similarly, you can also find lots of good substitutes for milk. Non-dairy milk products include oat, almond, soy, coconut, and many other varieties. If you're not sure which will work best in your recipes, don't be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect combination of vegan baking ingredients.