Recommendations for Baking with Stevia and Replacing Sugar in Recipes

It is absolutely possible to replace sugar in conventional recipes with stevia.  The main thing to remember is that it’s important to replace the bulk of sugar with something else when using stevia- applesauce works very well for this. 

When replacing a cup of sugar, it is helpful to add 1/3 to ½ cup of applesauce to the recipe to make up for the bulk lost from the sugar.  Canned pumpkin, yogurt, or fruit purees can also be used in place of the applesauce.

Stevia does not taste exactly like sugar, and can have a slight aftertaste, particularly when used in large amounts.  For this reason, I would err on the side of using less stevia than a recipe calls for when replacing stevia for sugar.  Also, most recipes taste better when only part of the sugar in a recipe is substituted for stevia.

Here is a sugar substitution chart for how many stevia packets to use in place of sugar in conventional recipes:

2 tsp. sugar: 1 stevia packet

1 tbs. sugar: 1.5 to 2 stevia packets

½ cup sugar: 9-12 stevia packets

1 cup sugar: 18-24 stevia packets

As an alternative to using stevia packets in baking, Sweetleaf brand stevia has a ready to use stevia baking blend that we have at the store called Sugarleaf.  It can be substituted for sugar at a rate of 1/3 of a cup of stevia baking blend to each 1 cup of sugar called for in a recipe.

Stevia Sweetened Ice Tea

I love sweet tea, but do not love the calories or grams of sugar that comes from table sugar.  I keep a pitcher of this in my fridge at all times.  It's an easy and delicious way to stay hydrated.

• 5-6 herbal or decaf tea bags*
• 8 packets of stevia
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 quart pitcher

Add boiling water to a Pyrex or other glass or ceramic container.  Stir stevia into boiling water until completely dissolved.  Add tea bags and steep (when using herbal teas, I will usually steep them a good 15 minutes or more to get the full flavor from the teabags).

Add concentrated tea and stevia to a 2 quart pitcher and fill with cold water.  Serve with ice and enjoy!

*It's best to use non-caffeinated tea for this iced tea so it can be drunk at night if desired.

Stevia Sweetened Apple Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon Sweetleaf Stevia powder (*see note)
1 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup oil, melted butter or coconut oil
3/4 cup low-fat milk (or water or juice- see note)
1 apple peeled, cored and chopped
Optional: chopped nuts, granola

Note: I rarely have milk in my house, so while all baked goods recipes are better with milk (or non-dairy milk), apple juice or even water is completely acceptable, it just won't be as perfect as when made with milk.

This recipe is not very sweet, if you would like  a sweeter muffin, increase to a full tablespoon of stevia powder.

See the entire recipe and directions at Sugar Free Mom.