I adore recipes that call for just egg whites, like macarons or meringue, but they always leave me wondering what to do with the leftovers.
You should definitely not toss those golden yolks in the trash because they add incredible richness to so many dishes.
I have gathered 26 egg yolk recipes to help you use up those leftovers in the most delicious ways possible. From velvety custards to savory potato sides, this list has everything you need to get cracking in the kitchen.
1. Quindim
This classic Brazilian sweet features a golden coconut custard finished with a sticky syrup topping. You will find the texture wonderfully silky and sweet.
It uses coconut flakes alongside coconut milk to ensure the tropical flavor is absolutely undeniable. I love that you only need five basic ingredients and half an hour to whip this up.
2. Vanilla Ice Cream
Adding yolks to vanilla ice cream might seem unusual, but it is actually a standard practice for achieving premium texture. The eggs act as a thickener to create a final product that is extra rich.
While the process can be a little tricky, the included tips will help guide you toward success. You will find the creamy results are completely worth the effort.
3. Brioche Bread
Everyone loves the soft, buttery fluffiness of a classic French brioche. This famous bread is undeniably delicious and surprisingly simple for baking novices to tackle.
Do not let yeast dough intimidate you because the actual hands on work here is quite minimal despite the resting time. Baking a loaf from scratch feels incredibly rewarding and earns you major bragging rights.
4. Orange Custard Squares
You likely never realized how much you needed these citrus infused custard bars in your life. A layer of insanely smooth orange custard sits perfectly between two sheets of crumbly shortbread.
This combination creates a slice of absolute citrus heaven. I find them fancy enough for parties but simple enough to bake whenever a snack craving hits.
5. Creme Brulee
Despite tasting like a divine treat from the clouds, this dessert is actually quite simple to prepare. Think of creme brulee as the crunchy relative of flan featuring a sinful custard base beneath a hardened caramel shell.
Using yolks ensures the bottom layer has unparalleled creaminess. That smooth texture pairs perfectly with the crisp and sugary topping.
6. Orange Mascarpone Ice Cream
Orange and mascarpone might seem like an unexpected pairing, but the result is truly amazing. I feel like I missed out for years before finally discovering this intriguing flavor duo.
Tasting it for the first time completely changed my dessert game. Imagine the greatest creamsicle you have ever eaten transformed into a scoopable frozen treat.
7. Lemon Tart
This classic French pastry is guaranteed to satisfy any cravings for bright citrus flavors. I love the combination of a cookie style crust with the rich, creamy custard filling.
The lemon curd strikes a flawless balance between tangy, buttery, and sweet notes. That crumbly base serves as the perfect vessel for such a heavenly filling.
8. Egg Yolk Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are a globally beloved treat whether you prefer them crunchy or chewy. You might be surprised to learn that you can bake this American classic without using any whites at all.
Using only the yolks allows you to bake some of the most addictive sweets imaginable.
9. Custard Cake
This Filipino treat blends chiffon cake with custard for a dessert that demands global recognition. You really cannot lose with such a winning flavor combination.
The golden masterpiece features a fluffy cake base topped with a thick and smooth layer of creamy flan. I find this dessert mash up to be as visually stunning as it is delicious.
10. Chocolate Creme Brulee
Adding chocolate to a classic creme brulee takes the concept to a whole new level. If you love cocoa, this rich and silky variation is absolutely essential.
The smooth custard base gets a deep chocolate flavor that pairs beautifully with the crunchy caramel top. It represents the very best of the dessert world and is surprisingly simple to prepare.
11. Chocolate Custard Tarts
These miniature tarts might look small, but they pack a massive flavor punch. Chocolate fans will find that these treats absolutely rock their world.
The filling is outrageously rich while the buttery crust perfectly seals in the decadence. Using store bought pastry sheets makes this effortless recipe come together in less than an hour.
12. Challah
This braided Jewish bread has a distinctively eggy flavor that is truly delightful. Ancient traditions used the name to refer to a small dough portion offered to God.
Today the term describes the beautiful loaves typically served during Shabbat and other special holidays.
13. 12-Yolk Pound Cake
Anyone who enjoys sweets for breakfast should definitely grab a slice of this cake. Using a dozen yolks makes the crumb ridiculously tender, golden, and rich.
I love that the sweetness level is balanced rather than overpowering. It tastes amazing plain, but you can also dress it up with caramel syrup or a scoop of ice cream.
14. Baked Coconut Custard
Combining custard with coconut creates an incredible tropical treat. This is arguably one of the best methods for utilizing leftover yolks.
Coconut milk provides plenty of flavor while keeping the sweetness light. You can eat it plain, add maple syrup, or torch some sugar on top for a brulee finish.
15. French Apple Custard Cake
Apple pie might be the star of autumn, but this custard cake definitely deserves some attention. The cake base is incredibly smooth and loaded with cinnamon spiced fruit.
A crispy sugar topping provides a wonderful finish to the dish. I think the contrasting textures are what make this dessert so desirable.
16. Flan
You might know this melt in the mouth confection as creme caramel or simply custard. The smooth texture is absolute perfection regardless of the name.
Thick, sweet caramel oozes over the top to complement the creamy base. It is so wonderfully light that I often devour an entire serving in seconds.
17. Custard Pie
The only thing better than a smooth custard is putting that filling inside a pie. This dessert hits the perfect level of sweetness.
I find the contrast between the silky filling and the crispy crust to be totally sublime.
18. French Style Double Chocolate Ice Cream
This frozen treat is rich, decadent, and double the chocolate for double the fun. The French label comes from using an egg based custard to create the ultra creamy base.
While it sounds fancy and complicated, the process is actually easy enough for anyone to master.
19. Tiramisu
This classic Italian sweet features espresso soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone custard and cocoa powder. While traditional recipes use raw eggs, this version cooks the yolks in a double boiler for safety.
Even with the change in method, the result is just as delightful as the original.
20. Custard Peach Pie
I can confidently say this is my absolute favorite peach treat. A layer of crispy crust sits beneath juicy fruit slices and smooth custard.
The mix of plump peaches, buttery pastry, and velvety filling creates amazing textural contrast. You will find the flavor profile simply divine.
21. Nectarine Frangipane Tart
The name might sound unfamiliar, but this dessert is worth trying. Frangipane is a French almond pastry cream made with ground nuts, butter, and yolks.
In this recipe, the sweet and nutty filling gets topped with juicy nectarines inside a buttery crust. The result is mind blowingly delicious.
22. Raspberry Ice Cream
This frozen dessert is delightfully thick and perfect for hot summer days. Using a custard base ensures you get nothing but pure richness and creaminess.
The recipe is super easy to follow and uses basic ingredients you likely own. I love how the raspberry sauce cuts through the rich base.
23. Garlic Parmesan Duchess Potatoes
Combining garlic, parmesan, and mashed potatoes creates a truly special flavor profile. These bite sized morsels are incredibly buttery, rich, and creamy.
Imagine the greatest mash you have ever tasted and multiply that flavor by ten. This savory treat delivers everything you could possibly ask for.
24. Mashed Potato Croquettes
As one of the few savory options here, this recipe is definitely a must try. Use your leftover mash and yolks to make these battered, deep fried morsels immediately.
Breadcrumbs help achieve an addictive quality that is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. If you have never tried croquettes, consider this your sign to start.
25. Persian Rice Cookies
Anyone seeking something new should try these traditional Persian sweets. Known as nan e berenji, these soft and crumbly treats are a staple during New Year’s celebrations.
They possess just the right level of sweetness. I also find that they smell absolutely amazing while baking.
26. Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts)
Meet the most iconic dessert from Portugal, the famous pasteis de nata. A flaky, crunchy crust holds a filling of super creamy egg custard that gets baked until golden.
The concept is simple, but the results are absolutely to die for. You definitely need to pin this recipe if you have not tried it before.