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How to Reduce Sugar in Baked Goods

Contributor
By Amy Brantley
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)
Enjoy baked goods with less sugar.
Enjoy baked goods with less sugar.
Kerry A Adamo

Whether you're a diabetic or just someone who wants to eat more healthful foods, it's always a good idea to reduce sugar in baked goods. Sugar is not only loaded with carbohydrates, but it's often unnecessary. People go to the extreme by adding additional sugar for decoration or simply oversweetening their baked goods. It's no wonder there are almost 24 million diabetics in America. All that additional sugar leads to obesity, which can eventually lead to diabetes. If you'd like to reduce the sugar in your baked goods, the following steps are a wonderful starting point.

From Quick Guide: Sugar Free Foods Checklist
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Use a sugar substitute. Sugar substitutes are nothing like what you remember from your childhood. They no longer taste bitter or leave an aftertaste. In fact, some brands taste just like sugar. Best of all, you can bake with these substitutes. They're even convenient because you use the same amount of substitute as you would sugar.

  2. Step 2

    Sweeten desserts with fruit. Unsweetened applesauce and dried fruits are a good way to add sweetness to baked goods. You can even use purees made with fresh fruit. The sweetness of fruit can completely change a dessert. For example, reduce the sugar in apple pie by adding crushed sweet cherries. You'll never miss the extra sugar and your dessert will be more healthful.

  3. Step 3

    Cut unnecessary sugar from recipes. Chances are you've had desserts that were simply too sweet. With many recipes, you can reduce the amount of sugar you add without hurting the recipe. The only time this doesn't work is if the sugar adds structure.

  4. Step 4

    Find new ways to decorate baked goods. Colored sugar may look pretty on cakes and cookies, but it's not needed. You can add food coloring to the frosting or the cookie dough. Another option is to roll cookie dough in sugar-free gelatin or soft drink mix.

  5. Step 5

    Look for sugar-free ingredients. If your recipe calls for pie filling, use a sugar-free version. The same goes for any other ingredients that may contain sugar. Take time to look around your grocery store. New sugar-free products are being released every day.

Tips & Warnings
  • The only problem with sugar substitutes is they dissolve when they come in contact with liquids. This means they aren't meant for recipes in which the sugar adds structure. Avoid removing sugar from recipes that call for yeast. The sugar in these recipes is used to feed the yeast so that your baked goods rise properly.
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