You don’t have to skip dessert because you’re trying to avoid refined sugars. These sugar-free cake recipes show you can still have your cake and eat it too, without the extra calories or carbs.
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Sugar Free Baking
As awareness of the health risks of refined sugars, such as obesity and diabetes, grows, more people are turning to sugar-free baking. This method uses natural sugar alternatives to create healthier treats without sacrificing taste. It’s ideal for those managing diabetes, following low-carb or Keto diets, or simply reducing sugar intake.
Common natural sweeteners used in sugar-free baking include:
- Stevia: A plant-based sweetener that is much sweeter than sugar and calorie-free.
- Monk Fruit: Another plant-based option that is extremely sweet without added calories.
- Erythritol: A sugar alcohol that mimics sugar’s taste and texture but has fewer calories and no effect on blood sugar.
- Xylitol: A sugar alcohol with similar sweetness to sugar but with 40% fewer calories and dental benefits.
- Applesauce: Less sweet than sugar but with fewer calories and added fiber and nutrients. Replaces sugar and fat in recipes, adding moisture to baked goods like muffins and cakes.
- Bananas: Naturally sweet with fewer calories and added nutrients and fiber. Mashed bananas add sweetness and moisture to baked goods like cake, bread and muffins.
Other Natural Sweeteners
These are some other common alternatives to sugar used in baking. However, while offering additional nutrients to sugar, some are very close to refined sugar in the glycemic index and calories or may be high in fructose.
- Agave Nectar
- Coconut Sugar
- Palm Sugar
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
Sweet Sugar-Free Cake Recipes
All of these sugar-free cake recipes use the best natural sugar alternative for the recipe. Some incorporate chocolate, but dark chocolate is used as there are many health benefits from eating dark chocolate of 70% or higher–in moderation. It is always possible to replace the chocolate with raw cocoa powder.
More Low Carb & Healthy Recipes
Sugar Substitute Conversions
If you want to try natural sugar alternatives with some of your favorite cake recipes, adjusting the quantities to match the sweetness levels is important. Here are some general guidelines (you can find some more comprehensive information on sweetener conversions here):
- Stevia: Use about 1 teaspoon of liquid stevia or 1/2 teaspoon of powdered stevia for each cup of sugar.
- Monk Fruit: Use 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon of monk fruit sweetener for each cup of sugar.
- Erythritol: Use about 1 1/3 cups of erythritol for each cup of sugar.
- Xylitol: Use in a 1:1 ratio with sugar.
- Applesauce: 1 cup of sugar = 1 cup of applesauce (reduce liquid by 1/4 cup for each cup of applesauce used).
- Bananas: 1 cup of sugar = 1 cup of mashed bananas (reduce liquid by 1/4 cup for each cup of bananas used).
Natural sweeteners can affect the texture and flavor of baked goods. Here are some tips:
- Moisture Content: Natural sweeteners like erythritol and xylitol can draw moisture out of baked goods. Add a bit more liquid or fat to your recipes to compensate.
- Flavor Balance: Some sweeteners, such as stevia, can have a slight aftertaste. Combining them with other sweeteners can help balance the flavor.
- Binding and Bulk: Since sugar provides bulk, you might need to add extra ingredients like applesauce, yogurt, or additional flour to maintain the structure of your cakes.
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