30 Egg Yolk Recipes for Leftover Egg Yolks

Are you looking for egg yolk recipes to use up leftover egg yolks? I have you covered!

From tasty sides to homemade bread to delicious desserts, the possibilities are endless.

Certain recipes only call for egg whites – meringue, pavlova, macarons, to name a few.

So, what do you do with the egg yolks? You certainly shouldn’t throw them away. 

Egg yolks are so versatile, you can use them in a variety of dishes. From savory croquettes to sweet custard, there are plenty of things to make!

If you’re looking for delicious egg yolk dishes other than an omelet, this collection of recipes is a must-read.

Whether you’re in the mood for pastries, cakes, or mousse, this list has you covered.

Hungry for eggs? Let’s get crackin’! 

1. Egg Yolk Chocolate Chip Cookies

First up: chocolate chip cookies. Whether crisp and crunchy or chewy and ooey-gooey, this classic is loved all over the world.

But did you know you can actually bake the classic American dessert without egg whites?

Yep, even with just the yolks, you’ll be able to create the most addictive sweets known to man.

2. 12-Yolk Pound Cake 

If you’re a fan of sweets for breakfast, go for a slice of this pound cake!

Thanks to a whopping 12 egg yolks, this pound cake is ridiculously rich, tender, and golden.

It has just the right amount of sweetness – not overly sweet, but not bland either.

Whether eaten as it is, drizzled with caramel syrup, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, you can’t go wrong. 

3. Creme Brulee 

Considering it tastes like it came straight from heaven, creme brulee is shockingly easy to make. 

Creme brulee, also known as the crunchier cousin of flan or creme caramel, is a sinful custard dessert with a hardened caramel topping.

The use of egg yolks gives the custard unparalleled creaminess, which goes so well with the crunchy caramel on top.

4. Mashed Potato Croquettes

It’s one of the very few savory dishes on this list, and it’s definitely a must-try. If you have never had croquettes in your life, this is the sign. 

If you have leftover mashed potatoes and egg yolks hanging around in the fridge, stop whatever you’re doing and make this dish right away!

Croquettes are battered and deep-fried morsels that are too good for words.

In this recipe, you’ll use mashed potatoes, egg yolks, and breadcrumbs to achieve that addictive crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside quality.

5. Custard Cake

Custard cake is a Filipino dessert that deserves worldwide attention.

I mean, how can you go wrong with chiffon cake and custard? That’s a winning combination right there!

This golden beauty is made up of a light and fluffy chiffon cake at the bottom with a thick layer of smooth and creamy flan on top.

This mash-up of desserts is as delicious as it is beautiful.

6. Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts)

Say hello to Portugal’s most iconic dessert, the pasteis de nata. If you’ve never heard of it before, you’re missing out!

Be sure to pin this recipe and try it as soon as you’re free!

Crunchy and flaky pastry crust is filled with a super-creamy egg custard and baked until golden.

It’s a simple idea, but man, these bite-sized treats are to die for!

7. White Chocolate Mousse 

There’s something about white desserts that’s just so classy. Take this mousse, for example. 

One look at this silky-smooth, luxurious dessert will make you fall in love.

Wonderfully sweet and seriously creamy, it’s a light dessert that delivers maximum flavor.  

Also, you won’t believe how easy it is to make! It’s so simple, even kitchen newbies won’t have a hard time.

8. Flan 

Whether you like to call it creme caramel, custard, or flan, this dessert is to die for.

This smooth, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth confection is absolute perfection.

The sweet, thick caramel oozing from the top complements the flan really well, too.

It’s so wonderfully light, don’t be surprised when you’ve devoured a whole serving in mere seconds. 

9. Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding

It may look simple at a glance, but reserve your judgment until the first bite. 

Nilla Wafers, bananas, custard, meringue – you’ll get all these delicious layers in one stunning dessert! 

This southern dessert has a variety of flavors and textures, but somehow, they all work harmoniously to create one epic treat.

10. Persian Rice Cookies 

If you’re looking for something new, these Persian cookies are for you.

Called nan-e berenji, or Persian rice cookies, they’re a staple in New Year’s celebrations, and for good reason.

These treats are unbelievably soft and crumbly. They have just the right amount of sweetness, and man, they smell amazing.

11. Brioche Bread 

Who doesn’t love a soft, fluffy, and buttery brioche? The popular French bread is downright delicious!

And yes, it’s easy enough to make, even for new bakers. 

Don’t be intimidated by bread recipes! While it takes time for the dough to rest, the actual labor involved is pretty basic. 

Plus, making bread from scratch is a huge accomplishment! Aside from being rewarding, it also gives you serious bragging rights.

12. Challah 

Challah is a type of Jewish bread. In ancient times, it referred to a small piece of dough offered to God.

Over the years, however, challah has become the term used for a loaf of braided bread with a nice eggy flavor.

It’s still normally served during special Jewish holidays such as Shabbat.

13. Tiramisu 

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert made of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone custard, grated chocolate, and a dusting of cocoa powder. 

Traditional tiramisu usually contains raw eggs, but in the interest of food safety, we’re cooking the yolks in a double broiler. 

The cooking method may be different, but trust that it’s just as delightful.

14. Vanilla Ice Cream

Vanilla ice cream that contains egg yolks? It may sound strange, but it’s actually very common!

Egg yolks help thicken the mixture and make it extra rich and creamy.

The steps are a bit tricky, but this article is loaded with tips to help you succeed! 

Plus, the result is absolutely worth it. It’s ice cream like you’ve never had before!

15. Garlic Parmesan Duchess Potatoes

There’s something truly special about mashed potatoes, garlic, and parmesan. This combination creates the most delectable flavor!

Take this dish, for instance. These bite-sized mashed potato morsels are incredibly rich, creamy, buttery, and everything you can ever ask for in a savory treat.

Think of the best mashed potatoes you’ve had in your life, and multiply its flavor by 10. That’s how good this dish is!

16. Chocolate Creme Brulee 

Creme brulee, but chocolate-flavored? I’m listening.

If chocolate is your jam, this creme brulee is a must-try.

It’s rich, creamy, smooth, and silky, and it’s also chocolatey. That crunchy caramel is also the bomb. It’s the best the dessert world has to offer!

Best of all, it’s extremely easy to make. What more can you ask for? 

17. French Style Double Chocolate Ice Cream

It’s rich, creamy, and oh-so-decadent. It’s also double the chocolate, which means it’s double the fun! 

You’re probably wondering, what makes this ice cream French?

Just like the previous ice cream recipe, this one calls for an egg-based custard to achieve an ultra-rich and creamy mixture.

Again, you’d think it’s complicated, but it’s so easy, anyone can pull it off.

18. Lemon Tart

Lemon tart is another French dessert sure to satisfy your lemon craving. With its rich and creamy custard and cookie-like crust, this dessert is absolutely amazing.

The lemon curd filling is creamy and has the perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and tangy.  

The crust is wonderfully crumbly, and a wonderful vessel for holding the heavenly filling.

19. Nectarine Frangipane Tart

This dessert doesn’t sound familiar, but trust me, you’ll have to give it a try.

Frangipane is a French term referring to an almond-flavored pastry cream made with milk, sugar, flour, butter, egg yolks, and ground almonds.

It’s used in cakes, pies, and in this case, a tart.

Sweet and nutty frangipane is topped with plump and juicy nectarines and encased in a buttery pastry crust. It’s mind-blowingly delicious!

20. Baked Coconut Custard 

Coconut and custard make one heck of a tropical dessert. It’s definitely one of the best ways to make use of leftover egg yolks!

It’s lightly sweet and loaded with coconut-y goodness from coconut milk. You can enjoy it as is, or drizzle with maple syrup. 

Or, make a creme brulee by topping it with granulated sugar and blowtorching it to make hardened caramel. Yum!

21. Shortcrust Pastry 

It’s crispy, buttery, and crumbly all at the same time. Every baker has to have a pastry crust recipe in their back pocket, and this one should be yours. 

Called pâte sucrée, shortcrust pastry has an extra rich and crumbly consistency thanks to a higher ratio of fat to flour.

Its mild sweetness complements any fruit pie you can think of.

22. Raspberry Ice Cream 

It’s delightfully thick and creamy as any ice cream should. Its raspberry goodness makes it perfect for the summer!

Again, you’ll use an egg yolk custard as the base of this ice cream, which means you can expect nothing but richness and creaminess.

Don’t worry, the recipe is super easy. Both components – the raspberry sauce and the ice cream base – require basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand.

23. Quindim 

Quindim is a classic Brazilian dessert made of golden coconut custard and sweet sticky syrup on top. 

It’s wonderfully sweet and silky. It contains both coconut milk and coconut flakes, so the coconut flavor is undeniable.

Best of all, it calls for five simple ingredients and just 30 minutes of your time.

Also, this recipe can be easily altered to make a keto-friendly version.

24. Orange Custard Squares 

These orange custard bars are the snack you never knew you needed.

Insanely smooth and creamy custard is infused with orange and sandwiched between two layers of crumbly shortbread. Now that’s what I call citrus heaven.

They’re celebration-worthy, but also easy enough to make any time a craving strikes.

25. Orange Mascarpone Ice Cream 

Today on unexpectedly amazing food combinations: orange and mascarpone.

I’m not sure if I’ve been living under a rock my whole life, but for some reason, I’ve only recently come across this intriguing combination.

And when I tried it, it changed my life completely.

Orange and mascarpone together in one dessert – think of it as the best creamsicle ever, but in ice cream form. 

26. Chocolate Custard Tarts 

These bite-sized tarts may be small, but they’re big on flavor. 

Calling all chocolate lovers: these custard tarts will rock your world. The custard filling is outrageously rich and chocolatey.

The buttery crust does a wonderful job sealing in all that decadence.

It’s also effortless to make! With store-bought pastry sheets and an easy custard filling, this dessert comes together in under an hour.

27. French Apple Custard Cake 

While the apple pie is arguably the most iconic fall dessert, this apple custard cake also deserves the spotlight.

The cake itself is as smooth as custard. It’s loaded with cinnamon-flavored apples and covered with a crispy sugary topping.

The contrasting textures make this dessert so desirable. 

28. Custard Peach Pie 

This pie is without a doubt my favorite peach-y treat! 

Smooth and creamy custard with juicy peach slices with a crispy crust underneath: sounds perfect, don’t you agree?

The combination of velvety custard, plump peaches, and buttery crust creates such amazing textural contrasts. 

And the flavor? Simply divine.

29. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here’s another recipe for chocolate chip cookies, because there is no such thing as too many cookies. 

This recipe yields insanely chewy and ooey-gooey cookies. The not-so-secret ingredient? An additional egg yolk! 

30. Custard Pie 

You know what’s better than a smooth and creamy custard? Custard in a pie, that’s what!

The amount of sweetness in this dessert is perfect, and the contrast between the crispy crust and the silky custard is totally sublime.