How to Bake and Cook With Duck Eggs

More and more people are interested in using duck eggs for baking. After all, they’re a bit of a culinary oddity. They’re bigger than chicken eggs, have a richer flavor, and a more robust texture.

So, what’s the big deal? Can they really make that big of a difference in your baking? Here’s what you need to know about baking with duck eggs, and how they may change your baking game.

What Are Duck Eggs and Where Do You Find Them?

As the name suggests, duck eggs are eggs that come from ducks. They’re generally larger than chicken eggs, and have a more robust flavor. The yolks are also more yellow in color, and the whites are thicker.

Duck eggs are richer and creamier than chicken eggs, making them perfect for baking. Unfortunately, they are also somewhat harder to find than their chicken counterparts. While some large chains do sell them, your best bet is likely to be a local farm or farmer’s market. Or you can always raise your own ducks!

If you can’t find duck eggs at your local grocery store or farmers market, you can usually order them online.

Baking With Duck Eggs: Why They’re Better than Chicken Eggs

When it comes to baking, eggs are one of the most important ingredients. They contribute to the structure, texture, and flavor of your final product. So, what kind of eggs should you use in your baking? While chicken eggs are the most commonly used type of egg in baking, duck eggs actually make for a better finished product. Here’s why:

Light and Fluffy Baked Goods

Duck eggs have a higher ratio of yolks to whites than chicken eggs. The added protein and fat content results in a lighter, fluffier results. The extra large yolk also leads to a higher rise in cakes made with duck eggs, so your cake will be nice and tall.

This one change will significantly improve most cake recipes, not to mention result in the fluffiest pancakes you’ve ever had.

Moist and Delicious Cakes

Not only are cakes made with duck eggs fluffier, but the higher fat content also makes them more moist and delicious. The extra fat also means that the cake will retain its moisture better, resulting in a fresher-tasting cake that doesn’t dry out as quickly. In addition, this tends to produce a more consistent cake with fewer cracks.

Richer flavor

The increased fat content of duck eggs also means that they have a richer flavor than chicken eggs. This richer flavor will come through in your final product, giving your cake an extra boost of deliciousness.

How to Use Duck Eggs in Baking and Cooking: A Quick Guide

Baking with duck eggs is not more difficult than baking with chicken eggs – in fact, duck eggs can be used in any recipe that calls for fresh eggs and can easily replace chicken eggs in almost any baking project. They actually offer a few distinct advantages as previously mentioned:

• They make for lighter, fluffier cakes with a more consistent texture and fewer cracks.
• They produce moister, tastier cakes that retain their moisture better.
• They lend a richer flavor to baked goods.

Duck eggs are also a good choice for recipes that require a lot of eggs, such as quiche or frittata. Because they have a higher fat content, they will make these dishes noticeably richer and more flavorful. Duck eggs are also the perfect choice for cream and custard filling because they contain less water and more fat. This makes them extra smooth and creamy, without the risk of curdling.

However, because they are richer, creamier, and about 30% larger, you may sometimes want to use slightly less duck egg than the recipe calls for. For example, if a recipe recommends four chicken eggs, you would use three duck eggs. Some also find that an even lower ratio suits their taste buds better. Another way to use duck eggs is to substitute them for half of the chicken eggs recommended in a recipe – this will still give your baked goods a rich flavor and a soft texture.

There is no harm in using a one-to-one ratio, but your final product might be a little too rich-tasting for some people. You may want to start by using slightly less duck egg than the recipe calls for and then adjust your recipe according to taste.

You should also be careful not to use duck eggs in recipes that shouldn’t rise too much (like pie crusts and some types of cookies) because the extra leavening power of duck eggs may cause your final product to puff up too much.

As long as you keep these things in mind when substituting duck eggs for chicken eggs in your baking recipes, you’ll be sure to end up with a delicious finished product!

Can You Use Duck Eggs Just like Chicken Eggs?

Also outside of baking, you can use duck eggs just like chicken eggs. However, there are few things to keep in mind.

As mentioned, duck eggs will make your dishes richer and more flavorful. This is great for some recipes, but not all. For example, ice cream made from duck eggs will be creamier and more delicious than ice cream made from chicken eggs. But if you’re making a light and airy mousse, the extra richness of duck eggs might make it too heavy. In which case you can tone down the richness by using half of each.

Duck eggs have more yolk and less white than chicken eggs. This can be good or bad depending on what you’re making. For example, if you’re making Hollandaise sauce, the large yolk will make for a rich, more flavorful sauce. But if you’re making an omelet, you might want to add an extra egg white to get the desired ratio of ingredients.

Duck egg whites are also somewhat thicker, which makes it a bit harder to whip into a frothy consistency. So if you’re making something like meringues or souffle, you might want to use an electric mixer to get the desired consistency.

Are Duck Eggs Better than Chicken Eggs in Terms of Nutrition?

When it comes to nutrition, duck eggs and chicken eggs are very similar. Both are good sources of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. However, there are a few key ways in which duck eggs differ from chicken eggs.

Great for Gluten-free Baking

Duck eggs are a good choice for baking if you are looking for a gluten-free option. Because you get some of the taste and fluffiness in the baked goods that is lost from baking without the gluten.

Duck Eggs Are a Better Choice for People with Egg Allergies

Some people are allergic to chicken eggs, but can eat a duck egg without any problems. This is because the proteins in duck eggs are different from the proteins in chicken eggs.

So if you have an egg allergy but still want to enjoy delicious homemade treats, consider using duck eggs instead of chicken eggs. But consult with your doctor first to make sure it’s safe for you to do so.

Duck Eggs Are Very Nutrient-dense

One duck egg contains about 164 calories, while one chicken egg of same size has only about 143 calories. They also contain more protein and vitamins A, D, and essential trace elements, making them a great choice for people who are looking for a healthy option.

Duck eggs also have a higher fat content than chicken eggs, which makes them ideal for people who are looking for a more energy-dense option or are on a low-carb, high-fat diet. And although they cost more than chicken eggs, duck eggs are still a budget-friendly option compared to many other forms of protein.

Duck Eggs Are Higher in Cholesterol

One potential downside of duck eggs is that they’re higher in cholesterol than chicken eggs due to their larger yolks. One large duck egg contains about 600 mg of cholesterol, while one large chicken egg only has about 300 mg of cholesterol. So if you’re trying to lower your cholesterol intake, you may want to stick with chicken eggs.

In Summary

Are duck eggs healthier than chicken eggs? It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for an egg that’s higher in nutrients and healthy fats, then a duck egg is a good choice. However, if you’re trying to limit your cholesterol intake, then a chicken egg is probably a better option for you. Whichever type of egg you choose, make sure to enjoy them as part of a healthy diet full of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

How to Properly Store Duck Eggs

Just like chicken eggs, duck eggs can be stored unwashed and in the shell. They must be kept in a cool spot though, away from direct sunlight. When stored properly, duck eggs can last 2 weeks without refrigeration or 6 weeks when stored in the fridge.

If you want to store duck eggs for a longer period of time, you can whisk whole raw eggs (or separate whites and yolks) and pour into small containers before placing in freezer.

Conclusion

So there you have it. The differences between baking with chicken eggs and duck eggs are not huge, and you can generally substitute duck eggs chicken eggs in most recipes – the same goes for most other cooking applications as well.

Just keep in mind that duck eggs will make your dish richer, more flavorful, and make your baked good rise a bit more. In my experience, duck eggs are better in just about every way. But if you’re making something light and airy, you might want to use chicken eggs instead.