Recipes to Use Up Leftover Egg Yolks Because Mama Taught Us Not To Waste

Apple Rose Tart
Photo: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

It isn't every day that you find yourself with an extra egg yolk, but on those baking days that only require egg whites it's good to have a leftover egg yolk recipe in your back pocket. Be warned: the road to using up leftover egg yolks is full of sweets! From tarts to custards and everything in between, this gallery is bursting with decadent desserts. Don't worry though, we managed to find a few savory recipes to use leftover egg yolks, too. There's a recipe for every season in this gallery so no matter what time of year you find yourself with leftover egg yolks, you're guaranteed to find a recipe to use them up. As Mama always said: "Waste not, want not!" And if you happen to still need to store a few extra egg yolks, you can always cure them. Cured egg yolks make a delicious, shaved topping for avocado toast and savory pasta dishes – but that's an egg yolk gallery for another day!

01 of 19

Eggs Benedict Casserole

Eggs Benedict Casserole
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Eggs Benedict Casserole

Introduce the kids to the finer side of the breakfast menu with this easy and delicious breakfast casserole. The hollandaise sauce will use up your leftover egg yolks.

02 of 19

Cynthia Wong's Steamed Pudding with Vanilla Custard

Cynthia Wong’s Steamed Pudding
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Cynthia Wong's Steamed Pudding with Vanilla Custard

Although Cynthia Wong serves this steamed pudding every year at Christmas, we think it's tempting enough to be made any time extra egg yolks happen our way.

03 of 19

Poached Pears with Vanilla Custard Sauce

Poached Pears with Vanilla Custard Sauce
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Poached Pears with Vanilla Custard Sauce

In the fall, apples traditionally have received all the hype, but we're switching things up in this recipe. This elegant dessert will be a showstopper on any table spread.

04 of 19

Homemade Mayonnaise

Classic Homemade Mayonnaise
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Homemade Mayonnaise

We know you'll always stay true to your preferred brand of mayonnaise, but it doesn't hurt to test the waters on the homemade mayonnaise side of life.

05 of 19

Chocolate-Banana Custard Pie

Chocolate-Banana Custard Pie
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Chocolate-Banana Custard Pie

The best part of this pie – beside the silky-smooth banana and chocolate filling – is that it requires little baking. Just pop it in the fridge overnight before enjoying!

06 of 19

Vanilla Custard with Bourbon Caramel Sauce

Vanilla Bean Custard with Bourbon Caramel Sauce
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop styling: Lydia Pursell

Recipe: Vanilla Custard with Bourbon Caramel Sauce

This custard has the appearance and texture of a flan but the complex flavor of a crème brûlée.

07 of 19

Coconut Custard Pie

Coconut Custard Pie
Micah Leal

Recipe: Coconut Custard Pie

Whether you're team coconut cream or coconut custard, this cake is a guaranteed hit on any dessert table.

08 of 19

Cushaw Pie with Vanilla Bean Custard Sauce

Cushaw Pie with Vanilla Bean Custard Sauce
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cushaw Pie with Vanilla Bean Custard Sauce

Top your pie slice with vanilla bean custard sauce and a sprinkle of candied walnuts for a festive fall treat.

09 of 19

Arthur Lou Tart

Arthur Lou Tart
Brie Williams

Recipe: Arthur Lou Tart

Greg Collier shared his grandmother's tart recipe, and we can't think of a better dessert to whip up when you have a few extra egg yolks on hand.

10 of 19

Crème Brûlée Cheesecake

Crème Brûlée Cheesecake
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Crème Brûlée Cheesecake

Think of this cheesecake as an upgraded classic vanilla bean cheesecake. The addition of caramelized sugar on top takes it to a whole new flavor level.

11 of 19

Breakfast Carbonara

Breakfast Carbonara Crop
Southern Living

Recipe: Breakfast Carbonara

This recipe will have you rethinking your typical breakfast biscuit. It's the best combination of all three meals in one!

12 of 19

Apple Rose Tart

Apple Rose Tart
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Recipe: Apple Rose Tart

Not only is this tart an easy dessert to make in the fall (it starts with a store-bought pie crust) but also, it's a fun project to bring out your creative side when designing the rose center.

13 of 19

Lemon Curd Filling

Lemon Curd Filling
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Lemon Curd Filling

Use up your leftover egg yolks to make a tempting Lemon Curd Filling that's ideal for layer cakes.

14 of 19

Ginger-Fig Tart with Cornmeal Crust

Ginger-Fig Tart with Cornmeal Crust
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Ginger-Fig Tart with Cornmeal Crust

When preparing your custard, be sure to have the butter and sieve close by because you don't want to leave the custard in the hot pan for too long.

15 of 19

Cherry Tomato Cobbler with Basil Ice Cream

Cherry Tomato Cobbler
Southern Living

Recipe: Cherry Tomato Cobbler with Basil Ice Cream

All we're saying is that it's okay to experiment with your summer produce.

16 of 19

Tomato Carbonara

Tomato Carbonara
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Tomato Carbonara

We added a little brightness and acidity to this traditional Italian pasta dish.

17 of 19

King Cake Bread Pudding with Chicory Ice Cream

King Cake Bread Pudding with Chicory Ice Cream
Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: King Cake Bread Pudding with Chicory Ice Cream

This recipe is easy to throw together thanks to the substitution of store-bought King Cake.

18 of 19

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Chocolate Mousse Cake
Micah Leal

Recipe: Chocolate Mousse Cake

Three forms of chocolate are used to create this velvety chocolate cake. Fresh berries are an ideal garnish for this cake with their naturally sweet and slightly acidic flavor.

19 of 19

Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisù

Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisù
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisù

This recipe is pure layered pumpkin perfection.

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