How to Bake With Agave Nectar

Agave nectar is a sweetener made from the agave plant, the same plant used to produce tequila. Agave nectar is non-alcoholic, and has many health benefits. With a glycemic index that is 40 percent lower than refined sugar, agave nectar is a great sweetener for people who are diabetic; the sugars from agave nectar are released slowly into the blood stream, keeping blood sugar at a more consistent level. Agave nectar has the consistency of honey, and can be used in baked goods. However, learning how to bake with agave nectar is a bit of an art, as the consistency of baked goods can change when using this sweetener. Learn the tricks of the trade in this article.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Agave nectar
• Standard ingredients for any baked good recipe
• Cornstarch
• Mixer or handmixer

How to Bake With Agave Nectar

1. Select any standard baking recipe that you enjoy. Keep in mind that agave nectar cannot be used as a substitute for powdered sugar or for brown sugar. When you select your recipe, make certain the primary sweetener is standard granulated sugar.

2. Assemble your chosen recipe as described in the instructions. If creaming butter and sugar is required in the recipe, add the same amount of agave nectar as sugar in the recipe and "cream" the combination by whipping with a mixer.

3. Add as much agave nectar as sugar in any recipe (i.e. 1 cup of sugar = 1 cup of agave nectar). Agave nectar is 40 percent less glycemic than refined sugar; however, the taste will be less sweet when the base good is finished.

4. Add an extra 1/4 cup of flour to the recipe, or 1/4 cup cornstarch, to thicken the recipe. When you substitute granulated sugar with agave nectar, you are substituting a wetter ingredient, which needs to be balanced by a thickener. Use which ever type of flour is called for in the recipe, or cornstarch. Pick the one that is easier and makes more sense.

5. Complete the recipe as required. Follow all of the rest of the directions for the recipe.

6. Oil your baking pans or muffin pans thoroughly. Baked goods made with agave nectar tend to stick more to the pans than baked goods made with traditional refined sugar.

7. Bake as instructed. There are no special baking requirements when using agave nectar.

8. Let the baked goods cool completely before removing from the pans.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a little unsweetened applesauce if your recipe seems too thick.
• Use butter or butter substitute instead of oil for a richer flavor in some recipes.
• Always add the extra flour when baking with agave nectar. The recipe needs the extra bulk that comes from the flour thickening the recipe.
• Baked goods made with agave nectar can brown quickly on the outside; watch your recipe carefully as it bakes.

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[mama2plusmore]

on 1/30/2009 It is incorrect that agave nectar cannot be substituted for brown sugar. It may not taste exactly the same, but it is STILL a good alternative and CAN be substituted, and you don't have to adjust the amount as much because of the liquid content of brown sugar.

http://www.allaboutagave.com/agave-vs-granular.php