Author Topic: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes  (Read 2754 times)

shelivesthedream

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I'm looking for some cake and biscuit recipes that are *actually* sugar free, without "natural" sugar substitutes like honey or maple syrup. I'm imagining fruit-based*, and I'm aware they won't be the same as an actual double-chocolate whipple-scrumptious delight cake, but there must be some recipes out there that create a reasonable end product suitable for a semi-treat without a metric fuckton of glucose/sucrose/whatever.

*I know fruit has sugar in it, but otherwise I'd just be eating a bag of flour with my hands. You have to draw the line somewhere.

neophyte

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2020, 05:11:33 AM »
How do you feel about unnatural sugar substitutes: sucralose, etc.?  And are you only looking for pastries? My sister-in-law gave me a recipe for Chilean flan that might fit the bill.

SquashingDebt

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2020, 05:11:47 AM »
I make these all the time and substitute mashed butternut squash (but could do canned pumpkin just as easily) for the oil, in addition to the squash/pumpkin already in the recipe.  I also cut the sugar down to a quarter cup.  I bet they'd still be good with zero sugar and just the sweetness from the squash/pumpkin.  You'd have to skip the chocolate too, though, haha.

https://joythebaker.com/2011/10/pumpkin-millet-and-chocolate-muffins/

shelivesthedream

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2020, 05:16:54 AM »
How do you feel about unnatural sugar substitutes: sucralose, etc.?  And are you only looking for pastries? My sister-in-law gave me a recipe for Chilean flan that might fit the bill.

Not keen on anything which is just trying to substitute sugar. When you say pastries... to me a pastry is like a croissant or pain au chocolat. I'm thinking cakes and biscuits, so flan would count, I think!

shelivesthedream

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2020, 05:19:22 AM »
I make these all the time and substitute mashed butternut squash (but could do canned pumpkin just as easily) for the oil, in addition to the squash/pumpkin already in the recipe.  I also cut the sugar down to a quarter cup.  I bet they'd still be good with zero sugar and just the sweetness from the squash/pumpkin.  You'd have to skip the chocolate too, though, haha.

https://joythebaker.com/2011/10/pumpkin-millet-and-chocolate-muffins/

Thanks! Do you often just leave sugar out? I always worry about the texture.

Hirondelle

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2020, 05:27:52 AM »
I used to make a sugar-free chocolate chip cookie variation.

It has:
- Oats
- Banana
- Chocolate chips/grated chocolate (yes, these contain sugar but depending on what chocolate you use you could get it pretty low). You could also swap the chocolate chips for coconut flakes, peanut butter or whatever ingredient you like.

Another thing I've made a few times is black bean brownies but they did have a small amount of sirup/honey (I guess they would still taste reasonably good without).
« Last Edit: March 03, 2020, 09:23:50 AM by Hirondelle »

Cranky

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2020, 05:29:12 AM »
I have had some things sweetened with applesauce, and they are okay-ish.

I will say that back when baking with honey was the Big Thing, that many of those recipes were not really very sweet. And carob is much maligned these days, but it has a natural sweetness to it, so carob chip cookies need a lot less added sweetener.

Helvegen

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2020, 12:37:33 PM »
I've tried to use sugar subs 100% in things like cookies, but it never works. The cookies end up very dry and cakelike I figured out that it has to be at least 1/2 to 2/3 regular sugar to sugar sub for cookies to work. It is not impossible, but I've really tried make subs work, but they just don't. I will accept an inferior product for me and my family, but you may not.

For cakes and breads, sugar subs are much, much better and more reliable. I've been able to use 75-100% sugar sub no problem. Applesauce works great for cakes!

Brownies...it depends. Underbaking is always best for these, I've found. Sometimes the result can be rubbery though. I do not recommend skipping oil on these. I tried using prunes for oil and partial sugar sub once and it sucked.

Pudding (American style) also works very well with sugar subs.

Desserts are going to need something to make them sweet and palatable - real or fake.
« Last Edit: March 03, 2020, 12:39:19 PM by Helvegen »

shelivesthedream

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2020, 01:21:35 PM »
So...applesauce. What IS that exactly? Is it just cooked blended apples? When I look up recipes there are lots that are condiments for pork with lots of ingredients. I don't think k it's a thing you can buy in any old supermarket here - at least, I don't know that I've seen it.

CNM

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #9 on: March 03, 2020, 01:29:55 PM »
So...applesauce. What IS that exactly? Is it just cooked blended apples? When I look up recipes there are lots that are condiments for pork with lots of ingredients. I don't think k it's a thing you can buy in any old supermarket here - at least, I don't know that I've seen it.

Yes, applesauce is cooked blended (peeled) apples.  Easy to make by peeling and coring apples (any variety will work), chop them up roughly and put in a pot with some water, cook on the stove until very very soft.  Then mash with a potato masher or puree in a food processor or blender.  If you go blender/processor route, make sure the cooked apples have cooled first.  No added sugars necessary. 

neophyte

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #10 on: March 03, 2020, 03:33:24 PM »
Homemade applesauce is one bajillionty times better than store bought anyway. It's a dessert in and of itself. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon if you want. My dad has an orchard and we used to make quarts and quarts every fall and freeze it. It's best when you use several different varieties of apples.

Here's the leche asada:

1 liter milk
6 large eggs
0.5 - 1 cup sugar or 1:1 (by volume) sugar substitute of your choice ( like spleanda, stevia, or monkfruit)
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon rind
 
Mix everything together and beat really well. Pour into a. Square or loaf type pan and bake at 200 C for 40 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool and refridgerate.

Traditionally this is baked with a caramel sauce in the bottom of the pan. You can make a sugar free version with tagatose or allulose which will caramelise like sugar but are more pricey than other sugar substitutes. Just cook the sugar with a bit of water until it starts to brown and then remove from heat. You can also spoon this over the top.

Traditional leche asada has a more bubbly texture, but if you prefer a smoother flan texture, bake it with your pan inside a larger pan of water.

Freedomin5

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« Last Edit: March 03, 2020, 04:03:47 PM by Freedomin5 »

tthree

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2020, 07:32:40 PM »
These are amazing! https://ohsheglows.com/2011/03/28/5-ingredient-no-bake-vegan-date-squares/

I really should make a batch as it's been a while...

And I usually bake the crust because I'm a rebel;)

ETA: I should have read to the end of the subject line as you didn't want dates.....but they are yummy.
« Last Edit: March 03, 2020, 07:34:27 PM by tthree »

SquashingDebt

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2020, 04:48:27 AM »
I make these all the time and substitute mashed butternut squash (but could do canned pumpkin just as easily) for the oil, in addition to the squash/pumpkin already in the recipe.  I also cut the sugar down to a quarter cup.  I bet they'd still be good with zero sugar and just the sweetness from the squash/pumpkin.  You'd have to skip the chocolate too, though, haha.

https://joythebaker.com/2011/10/pumpkin-millet-and-chocolate-muffins/

Thanks! Do you often just leave sugar out? I always worry about the texture.

I've only tried it with 1/4 cup sugar, but it turns out good that way and I've done it consistently for years.

afterthedark

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2020, 06:46:37 AM »
So...applesauce. What IS that exactly? Is it just cooked blended apples? When I look up recipes there are lots that are condiments for pork with lots of ingredients. I don't think k it's a thing you can buy in any old supermarket here - at least, I don't know that I've seen it.

Yes, applesauce is cooked blended (peeled) apples.  Easy to make by peeling and coring apples (any variety will work), chop them up roughly and put in a pot with some water, cook on the stove until very very soft.  Then mash with a potato masher or puree in a food processor or blender.  If you go blender/processor route, make sure the cooked apples have cooled first.  No added sugars necessary.

As you are in the UK look out for Bramley apples, they are also often just called ‘cooking apples’. Generally much bigger than regular apples. Peel, chop up, leave the core out and cook with a splash of water. Stir occasionally, and keep an eye on them as they have a tendency to froth up especially if you put a lid on. They will turn into puree when cooked just by stirring them, no blending required. People often feel they need sugar but I don’t bother.

Moonwaves

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #15 on: March 05, 2020, 08:15:20 AM »
So...applesauce. What IS that exactly? Is it just cooked blended apples? When I look up recipes there are lots that are condiments for pork with lots of ingredients. I don't think k it's a thing you can buy in any old supermarket here - at least, I don't know that I've seen it.
It's basically stewed apple puréed. It's very popular in Germany so you should find it in Aldi or Lidl. I just did a quick search of the Aldi UK website and they have jars of Bramley apple sauce and also kid-sized pots of apple and pear.

GreenSheep

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #16 on: March 05, 2020, 04:47:31 PM »
Bananas! These cookies/biscuits are delicious, and I suspect they'd still be good if you replaced the dates with more banana:
https://www.thejaroudifamily.com/post/easy-banana-bread-cookies

Also, banana "ice cream" or "nice cream," as some call it. It can be as simple as one ingredient: peeled, frozen bananas blended up in the food processor. They defy science and become a different thing altogether. Or you can add another fruit or some vanilla or cocoa powder or peanut butter or whatever you want to flavor it. Top with nuts or some cacao nibs for some crunch. Frozen mango also becomes nice and creamy when blended.

You can do a milkshake version of the above. I especially like this chocolate peanut butter one:
https://detoxinista.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-banana-milkshake/#wprm-recipe-container-23172

There are also a lot of cakes based the same idea, including this neon purple one (just omit the dates if you don't want them):
https://thismessisours.com/dragon-fruit-and-berry-icebox-cake/

Finally, berries with chocolate balsamic vinegar on top.

Edit: Oops, you said "cake and biscuit." Apologizes for the extras, but maybe they will be of use to someone else.

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #17 on: March 05, 2020, 10:35:06 PM »
I don't really use sugar in baking. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so use about 2/3 the measure, and that's about it. Dates are good with a strong flavour like chocolate/cocoa, or with a complimentary flavour like apple. Otherwise I find them a bit yucky, to be honest. I don't use maple syrup in baking because it's massively expensive in NZ and not sweet enough to use sparingly. It's very good in meat marinades though, better than honey.

There's not much that I bake that requires actual sugar granules. For example, brownies won't get that sugar crisp top with honey but I don't really care. Meringues need sugar, and that's all there is to it. Macarons needs sugar but I don't make them so whatevs. Something like rice krispie treats (the old kind not the marshmallow yuck kind) or any candy that has to set to a soft ball stage needs sugar.

BrightFIRE

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #18 on: March 06, 2020, 12:09:14 PM »
Use fruit mash/puree instead. Dates, prunes, bananas and apples are the top choices. The bananas should be really dark and covered in black spots - that's when they are the ripest/sweetest, but will also have the most banana flavor. Applesauce will give the most neutral flavor.

I would not leave out oil or butter - I think these subs are why some baked goods are so terrible, you can only sub so many things before the structural integrity goes to crap. BTW, also try searching for "sugarless" or "sweetener free" rather than "sugar-free", which leads to gross subs like sucralose.

https://addsomeveg.com/sugar-sweetener-free-birthday-cake/
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/sugarless-banana-walnut-cake/
https://reusegrowenjoy.com/healthy-flourless-chocolate-cake-3-ingredient-dairy-sugar-gluten-free/ - banana, cocoa, egg
https://www.egglesscooking.com/sugar-free-fat-free-vegan-carrot-cake/ - uses dates
https://www.simplytrinicooking.org/sugarless-cake/ uses dates and prunes
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/raw-salted-caramel-slices/ uses figs and dates
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/lemon-lavender-truffle-bites/ - uses dates
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/date-plum-sorbet/ - could also be frozen as a popsicle
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/sugar-free-turmeric-power-bars/ uses bananas
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/no-bake-strawberry-cream-pie/ uses dates in the crust and the "fat" from a can of coconut milk for the cream filing.
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/blueberry-pie-ice-cream/ uses dates
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/hot-fudge-peanut-butter-cup-ice-cream-cakes-for-one/ uses dates and bananas
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/raw-lemon-raspberry-cheesecake/ uses dates
https://greatist.com/eat/sugar-free-desserts
https://www.brit.co/desserts-for-diabetes/

Obviously, if you're not concerned about gluten, raw, vegan whatever, you can just use these for ideas. Strongly flavored other things like vanilla paste and lemon zest can also help you not notice the missing sugar.

neophyte

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #19 on: March 06, 2020, 09:48:43 PM »
I made cream puffs tonight. Super easy, no sugar in the pastry, and you cound fill them with fruit puree, whipped banana, whipped cream with you favorite sweetner, etc.

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #20 on: March 07, 2020, 04:02:28 PM »
Stevia is a herb and it's really easy to grow. If you want things sweeter, you just cook them with a few sprigs of stevia. For example, rhubarb needs sweetening, so when I'm cooking it I add stevia and then honey. Means I use less honey, basically. For something like apples, I'd just use the stevia.

former player

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #21 on: March 08, 2020, 03:42:20 AM »
If you want totally sugar-free you can google "savoury biscuits".

Otherwise I find the inclusion of ginger reduces the need for sweetness.

Imma

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Re: Sugar-free (inc. maple syrup, honey, dates, etc) baking recipes
« Reply #22 on: March 08, 2020, 04:08:41 AM »
So...applesauce. What IS that exactly? Is it just cooked blended apples? When I look up recipes there are lots that are condiments for pork with lots of ingredients. I don't think k it's a thing you can buy in any old supermarket here - at least, I don't know that I've seen it.
It's basically stewed apple puréed. It's very popular in Germany so you should find it in Aldi or Lidl. I just did a quick search of the Aldi UK website and they have jars of Bramley apple sauce and also kid-sized pots of apple and pear.

I have always wondered why apple sauce in jars isn't really a thing in the UK when you guys have so many good apples. We also eat it a lot in the Netherlands. It's easy to make at home (and tastes better) but it's a typical weekday condiment that is eaten mostly by kids so that's why it's sold in jars. I would spoon it over my brussels sprouts because my mum wouldn't let me leave the table until I had finished them. We often eat it with baked potatoes/fries. Chicken, fries and apple sauce is a common kids menu in restaurants. It's also a home remedy against stomach flu (no idea if it actually works).

As for baking, maybe fruit crumbles? My mum made loads of crumbles because I grew up on a smallholding and we grew so much fruit she didn't know what to do with it. I think the crust she made was from breadcrumbs, flour and crumbled rusk.