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Stevia in Baking

Key Strategies for Using Stevia in Baking

  1. Use Stevia Blends
    Many baking-specific stevia products (like stevia-sugar blends) are formulated to replace sugar 1:1 in recipes. Look for blends labeled for baking, as they often include erythritol or other bulking agents to mimic sugar’s properties.
  2. Adjust Sweetness
    Stevia is extremely sweet (200–300 times sweeter than sugar). If using pure stevia powder or liquid:
    • 1 cup of sugar = 1 teaspoon of stevia powder OR 1/2 teaspoon of stevia liquid
      Always check the product packaging for conversion charts.
  3. Add Bulk to the Recipe
    Sugar adds bulk to baked goods, which stevia alone can’t replicate. To replace the lost bulk, you can add ingredients like:
    • Applesauce or mashed banana: For moisture and sweetness.
    • Yogurt or buttermilk: To maintain texture and structure.
    • Unsweetened pumpkin puree: A good bulk substitute with a mild flavor.
  4. Combine with Other Sweeteners
    • Mix stevia with erythritol or allulose to achieve a closer texture and browning effect like sugar.
    • Combining sweeteners often improves flavor and eliminates any potential bitter aftertaste from stevia.
  5. Compensate for Browning
    Stevia doesn’t caramelize or brown like sugar. To achieve a golden-brown look in baked goods, you can:
    • Add a small amount of honey, molasses, or sugar (if your diet allows).
    • Use a touch of cinnamon or cocoa powder for a deeper color.
  6. Test Recipes
    Since stevia behaves differently from sugar, test small batches of your recipe to refine the proportions and adjustments.

Example: Stevia Cake Recipe

Here’s a simple recipe adjustment for a basic cake:

Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (for moisture)
  • 1 teaspoon stevia powder (or 1/2 teaspoon liquid stevia)
  • 1/2 cup butter (or coconut oil)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk (or non-dairy milk)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a baking pan.
  2. Cream butter until fluffy. Mix in stevia and applesauce.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder).
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, alternating.
  6. Pour batter into the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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