By Michelle Poche
There’s actual science behind the sweet tooth, but what if we could tame that mischievous tooth with other, all-natural alternatives to sugar?
“I could made a recipe four different ways, subbing out sugar for another natural sweetener each time!” I suggested at a recent IHM staff meeting.
“Yes!” was the resounding reply from around the table.
I knew I was on to something. It wasn’t atom splitting, but it involved dessert so it had to be important. I left that meeting and found a simple recipe.
Blueberry Muffins
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ c. flour
- 2 tsps. baking powder
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- ¾ c. sugar
- 1/3 c. applesauce
- 1/3 c. skim milk (or almond milk)
- 1 egg (or egg substitute)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 c. blueberries
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°. Spray 24 mini-muffin cups with cooking spray.
Blend flour, baking powder and cinnamon.
In separate bowl, blend sugar, applesauce, milk, egg and vanilla.
Combine bowls, fold in blueberries and fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
Bake 15 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Then, I picked four sugar alternatives: coconut sugar, pure maple syrup, Stevia, honey. Here’s how it went.
- Coconut Sugar
Appearance/Taste: Similar to brown sugar
Sugar/Alternative: 1:1
Cost: $4.99/lb.
Regular grocery store: Unlikely
Cooking time: According to recipe - Pure maple Syrup
Appearance/Taste: Typical syrup
(Richer than most sugary brands)
Sugar/Alternative: 1:3/4 (This recipe = just over ½ cup)
Cost: $6.99/8-oz. bottle
Regular grocery store: Likely
Cooking time: 20 minutes (Because of added liquid) - Stevia
Appearance/Taste: Similar to artificial sweetener
Sugar/Alternative: 1 cup:1 tsp. (This recipe = 3/4 tsp.)
Cost: $8.99/4.2-oz. jar
Regular grocery store: Likely
Cooking time: 13 minutes (Could’ve gone less. VERY dry.) - Honey
Appearance/Taste: Typical honey
Sugar/Alternative: 1 cup:1/2 cup (This recipe = 3/8 cup)
Cost: $3.69/8-oz. bottle
Regular grocery store: Likely
Cooking time: According to recipe
