Choosing to use artificial sweeteners or refined sugar for cooking and baking is not a healthy option. Even though artificial sweeteners and refined sugar is considered safe for consumption, they aren’t the healthiest options to choose from, when compared to natural sweeteners like coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, date syrup and more.
If you want to choose the healthy way and switch to using natural sweeteners in your cooking and baking, let’s discuss it right here in this article! From replacement ratios, to their flavour, what it does to a recipe and where you can use it, we have it all!
How to Cook and Bake with 7 Different Natural Sweeteners
1. Coconut Sugar
A cup of coconut sugar can be substituted for 1 cup of refined or cane sugar. The flavour of coconut sugar is similar to that of brown sugar, molasses or caramel.
This sugar adds a richer flavour to a recipe and makes the final product darker in color. It can be used to make brownies, quick-breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, barbecue rubs etc.
2. Stevia
A teaspoon of stevia can be substituted for 1 cup of refined or cane sugar. The flavour of stevia is sweet, with a slightly bitter after taste. It has a similar flavour to that of artificial sweeteners.
Stevia will not brown or add any texture to baked goods, like cane sugar does. If you’re looking for texture, you will have to combine it with other natural sweeteners. It can be used for frostings, brownies, mousse, in beverages and to make puddings.
3. Organic Honey
A cup of cane sugar or refined sugar can be substituted with ¾ cup of organic honey. It has a distinct taste with a hint of spice and a floral flavour.
It adds some depth of flavour to recipe and it also adds moisture to a recipe. If you’re using honey in a recipe, you will need to decrease all other liquids by ¼ cup. It can be used in glazes, marinades, muffins, quick-breads, dressings, icings and frostings.
4. Banana Puree
A cup of cane sugar or refined sugar can be substituted for ½ cup of mashed banana or banana puree. It has a distinct flavour with a hint taste of caramel.
It adds sweetness and moisture to a recipe and can make the final product dense. It can be used in brownies, quick-breads, cookies, muffins and more.
5. Monk Fruit Sugar
A cup of cane sugar or refined sugar can be substituted with 2/3 tsp of monk fruit sugar. It is similar in flavour to cane sugar and it has a mildly fruity flavour.
It adds a slight cooling sensation when tasted on the tongue. It is better in recipes that require chilling. It can be used to make beverages, raw desserts, cheesecakes, jells, puddings and more.
6. Organic Maple Syrup
A cup of cane sugar or refined sugar can be substituted with ¾ cup of organic maple syrup. It has a roasted caramel or brown sugar kind of flavour.
It adds moisture to a recipe and makes the flavour richer (as compared to cane sugar). If you’re using maple syrup in a recipe, you will need to decrease all other liquids by ¼ cup. It can be used in candies, puddings, ice creams, marinades, glazes etc.
7. Date Paste or Puree
A cup of cane sugar or refined sugar can be substituted for 2/3 cup of date paste or banana puree. It has a flavour or caramel or fig.
Date paste or puree can add moisture to a recipe and makes the product more chewy with a richer flavour. It can be used instead of pancake syrup, in snack bars, cookies, brownies, in barbecue sauces etc.
