“Duck eggs contain more albumen than chicken eggs. This is the big bonus when baking with duck eggs. More albumen gives your pastries and other baked goods more structure and a higher lift. Cakes and other pastries come out fluffier and lighter than with chicken eggs.”
— Mother Earth News
As we are about to enter the Fall baking season, consider replacing your chicken eggs for duck eggs in all your baked goods.
Why Bake With Duck Eggs?
Duck eggs have a higher fat and protein levels than chicken eggs. Cakes made with duck eggs tend to rise higher, be lighter and fluffier, stay moist for longer, and have a better texture. Duck eggs give meringues more volume and stability. Duck eggs will also produce richer sweets because of the larger yolk.
Are Duck Eggs the Same Size as Chicken Eggs?
Duck eggs are generally larger than chicken eggs… one third to twice as large. In MOST recipes, you can easily substitute one duck egg for one chicken egg. In recipes where ingredient volume and measurements matter more (certain pastries for example), then the ratio is 2:3… meaning, 2 duck eggs = 3 chicken eggs.
Are Duck Eggs Healthier?
“Their dark yellow yolk indicates that they hold more antioxidants, more omega-3 fatty acids, and 50% more vitamin A than chicken eggs. Duck eggs offer more protein than chicken eggs, even taking size into consideration.” – WebMD
Do Duck Eggs Taste Like Chicken Eggs?
If you are only familiar with eating chicken eggs (fried, scrambled, hard boiled, omelettes, etc.), then you may or may not like the taste of fresh duck eggs. We have many customers who prefer the richer flavor, but we readily admit that they are not the same. HOWEVER… this flavor difference is NOT noticed in baked goods. Even people who do not like the taste of a duck egg omelette still love to bake with duck eggs!
What Color are Duck Eggs?
Most duck eggs are creamy white. There are a few breeds that will lay greenish-blue eggs. We have one breed (Cayuga) that lays dark gray eggs in the Spring and creamy white eggs in the Fall. When any bird lays an egg, it is covered in the “bloom” (also known as the cuticle). This wet and slightly sticky coating dries within a minute, and it provides an antibacterial layer of protection around the egg. Since duck eggs are laid outside in the field, grass and leaves often stick to the bloom as it dries. This give the classic smudgy or stained appearance to almost all duck eggs.
Organic-fed, farm-fresh duck eggs.
$4 for a half-dozen.
$7 for a dozen.
The Bauernhof Kitsteiner 