No Eggs, No Problem: Depression Cake and 14 Other Egg-Free Desserts

Eggs prices are hitting record highs at the grocery store because of avian flu, and it feels like there’s no end in sight. It’s pinching already tight grocery budgets, and making meal planning more challenging. 

Many desserts include eggs, like pies and cakes, so it can be difficult to think of desserts without eggs (like finding eggless breakfast alternatives!). But next time you want to celebrate life with something sweet, try one of these egg-free desserts that are easy on your wallet.

The egg-free alternative to cheesecake has been with us all along. No-bake cheesecakes are amazingly delicious and easy to make — and you don’t have to worry about a crack on top of your cheesecake. Top this classic recipe with whatever fruit or sauce you like. 

Recipe: Serious Eats

Traditional shortbread recipes don’t use eggs at all. This version lightens things up with the bright flavors of lemon juice and lemon zest, plus a lemony glaze on top. While lemon zest is used as a garnish, don’t resist the urge to use sprinkles if you’re so inclined. 

Recipe: Sally’s Baking

This rich chocolate cake, also called wacky cake, contains no eggs, dairy, or butter. The recipe is said to have come about in the Great Depression when those ingredients were scarce. You can top it with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or opt for a butter-based frosting.  

Recipe: I Am Baker

There’s a whole world of crisps, cobblers, and crumbles out there, and most don’t use any eggs. This apple crisp recipe is a classic, and since apples are cheap and available all year round, it’s time to start making it more often than just in the fall.  

Recipe: The Chunky Chef

If you ever had peanut butter cup-like dessert bars in school, chances are they were very similar to this recipe. The base is made with graham cracker crumbs, butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, all with a layer of chocolate on top. That’s it: only five ingredients, but so tasty. 

Recipe: Culinary Hill

Pies like pecan and lemon meringue use lots of eggs, but most fruit pies don’t. This peach pie takes full advantage of fresh summer peaches. Since it’s got a crumble top, you only have to roll out pie dough for the bottom crust — or just use a storebought crust instead. 

Recipe: Sally’s Baking

Vegan desserts recipes are great if you’re looking to cut down on eggs. Applesauce and shredded carrots add plenty of moisture and structure to this recipe without the need for eggs. Vegan cream cheese is available, but you can use dairy products if you’re not concerned about keeping vegan. 

Recipe: Food Network

Strawberry season is coming up fast, and what better way to showcase the juicy summer berries than on a shortcake? The biscuit-like shortcakes are moist from buttermilk, and soak up the berry flavor. Then all you need is mounds of whipped cream. 

Recipe: Once Upon a Chef

You won’t even know there’s no eggs in these brownies. They still bake up fudgy, dense, and rich, with a nice crackly top. The chocolate chips or chunks add extra chocolate flavor and a satisfying texture.  

Recipe: Mommy’s Home Cooking

Chances are, you grandma used to make bar cookies similar to this. They have a shortbread-like bottom crust, a raspberry jam filling, and an oat and brown sugar crumble topping. Feel free to use any flavor jam you like.  

Recipe: Sally’s Baking

No kids party is complete without cupcakes. This recipe is for a classic vanilla white cake, and it uses soured milk or buttermilk to keep it moist. Stick with the vanilla buttercream for decorating, or use your favorite frosting recipe.  

Recipe: Cook With Manali

Southern banana pudding is so good and easy to make, and the end result is just as showstopping as a layer cake if you use a trifle bowl. Just mix a few ingredients like condensed milk and pudding mix, then layer it with bananas and Nilla Wafers for a classic dessert. 

Recipe: The Girl Who Ate Everything

There are about a million different types of dump cake, and they’re a great way to use cake mix without eggs. This recipe includes canned cherry pie filling, plus a little almond extract for more flavor.  

Recipe: The Country Cook

No-bake eclair cake is made with lots of shortcut ingredients, but you’d never know it by the way it tastes. Frozen whipped topping and pudding mix are layered with graham crackers and topped with chocolate frosting. As it sits in the fridge, the graham crackers soften and become cake-like. 

Recipe: AllRecipes

We put this recipe at the end just so we wouldn’t turn you away with the idea of mayonnaise in a cake. But mayonnaise is mostly eggs and oil, so when you think about it, it’s not that crazy to put in a cake as an egg substitute. Mayo haters wouldn’t even know.  

Recipe: Spend With Pennies