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What If I Use Whole Eggs Instead of Egg Whites in a Cake? 

Would you love to have luxurious fluffy and light cakes? If so, then you’ll want to stick with the EXACT directions on the box thus using egg whites instead of whole eggs. Today I’ll show you the results of “what if you use whole eggs instead of egg whites in a cake”. 

flattened cake in a cake pan with napkin

Why This Recipe

  • Many of the articles out there will trick you into believing that whole eggs MOSTLY just add fat. 
  • I’ll SHOW you the difference.
  • Nothing tells you the whole story better than actually doing it! 
  • You really need to know what happens if you use whole eggs instead of egg whites in a cake!

Here’s What Goes Down In, “What If I Use Whole Eggs Instead of Egg Whites in a Cake?”

STEP 1. Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Box Mix Made with Egg Whites

cutting board with cake stand and cake on top

STEP 2. The Same Cake Mix Made With Whole Eggs

The edge of a rumbled cake in pan with cutting boards

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What If I Just Used Less Eggs and Instead Used the Whole Egg? 

Nope, you need to use the egg whites for white cake. Egg Whites are fluffy and add a light and airy texture to the cake. In fact, egg whites are usually what flourless cakes are made from! 

When making a white cake, you will want to use three egg whites instead of whole eggs!

Do Egg Yolks Add More Than Fat? 

Yes! They add density! Your cake will be dense and thick and HEAVY! 

What Do I Do With The Leftover Yolks? 

That’s entirely up to you, but here are some ideas…

  • Great snack for the dog
  • Save to brush on the top of pies and other crusts
  • Freeze them individually for brushing on pies! 
  • Creme Brulee anyone?
  • Make Mayo!

Will Whole Eggs Make the Cake Taste Different? 

Well, yes and no. The cake will still taste like cake BUT the texture changes dramatically. A wet, heavy cake feels like a wet blanket when you are expecting light and fluffy. 

By the way, this is NOT the texture of “sad” or fallen cake (which I think is delicious), instead, it’s just wet. 

I’m so glad you asked, “What If I Use Whole Eggs Instead of Egg Whites in Cake?”

what happens when you add three whole eggs to a cake? three eggs in an orange bowl

 Tips and Tricks 

  • If you forget and have cracked the eggs but haven’t put them in the cake yet, use an empty water bottle to gently suck the yolks from the egg whites. 
  • Conversely, you can use one of the half egg shells to scoop the yolk out with. 
  • If you drop the shell into the eggs, use one of the half shells to scoop the broken pieces out with (easiest way ever, if you ask me). 
  • What if you didn’t realize and have already incorporated the yolks? Throw it out and start again with a new mix. That’s what I did. Conk self on head three times. Use a yellow cake mix next time. Lol. JK, don’t conk yourself. 
  • More Great Egg Advice from Cooks Illustrated

If You Enjoyed This Article, You Might Also Enjoy These Eggy Articles at Loaves and Dishes

cake batter in a bundt pan with spatula

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side of a cake in a pan

What If I Use Whole Eggs Instead of Egg Whites in a Cake?

Would you love to have luxurious fluffy and light cakes? If so, then you’ll want to stick with the EXACT directions on the box thus using egg whites instead of whole eggs. Today I’ll show you the results of “what if you use whole eggs instead of egg whites in a cake”.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: whole eggs instead of egg whites in cake
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 325kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 egg whites
  • cup vegetable oil
  • 1 Cup water
  • 1 Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350
  • Prepare the pans with baking spray.
  • In a stand mixer bowl, mix together the egg whites, oil, water and cake mix. Mix on medium until well blended.
  • Pour evenly into two cake pans.
  • Bake at 350 for 22 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

Notes

Do NOT use three whole eggs instead of just egg whites!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
What If I Use Whole Eggs Instead of Egg Whites in a Cake?
Amount Per Serving
Calories 325 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Sodium 468mg20%
Potassium 58mg2%
Carbohydrates 53g18%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 27g30%
Protein 4g8%
Calcium 142mg14%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A VERSE TO SHARE

Have you ever totally embarrassed yourself? Me too! In fact, just now it happened. Thank goodness just Mr. Loaves and Dishes and I were here! 

That reminded me, thank goodness, no one is judging me, right? 

Because I haven’t been judging anyone else, right? I haven’t, have I?

Matthew 7:1

Judge not, that you be not judged

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Riley

Tuesday 27th of June 2023

Thank you so much, the Betty Crocker cake mix said you could do it either way. I was wanting light and fluffy but didn’t know which way would deliver that result. Love your sense of humor.

Wendi Spraker

Tuesday 27th of June 2023

I'm so glad I could help and save you the trouble of making the same mistake that I made!

Sami V

Thursday 8th of December 2022

Just a comment on freezing egg yolks to save for later... You cannot just freeze them. It changes the structure and makes them unusable. They have to be beaten and mixed with sugar or salt to keep them from becoming gelatinous. We use yolks to make delicious homemade ice cream and had a relative try to save their yolks from when they only used egg whites by freezing. Ruined the batch of ice cream.

jordan vassey

Wednesday 19th of January 2022

I just did this and googled what happens if you use a whole egg instead egg whites in a cake. Now I’m here. I thought it tasted good.

Joanna

Tuesday 9th of May 2023

@Wendi Spraker, I just did the same thing. My husband wanted white cake for his birthday (which is today ) and I didn't realize what I did until I put it in the oven and checked the time on the box. I don't want to tell him. I used 2 jumbo eggs because I only had 2 large. I feel so stupid. He told me, "don't mess up my cake," lol

Wendi Spraker

Thursday 20th of January 2022

Yes, mine tasted good too but the cake was all wobbly and dense. :)

Sandra

Sunday 5th of December 2021

Thank you for the scientific info! Super helpful!

Wendi Spraker

Tuesday 7th of December 2021

You are welcome!

Pattie

Thursday 4th of March 2021

Just what I needed to hear.

Wendi Spraker

Thursday 4th of March 2021

Great!

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