Baking With Stevia

Satisfy your sweet tooth naturally with these sugar-free baking recipes and easy-to-make sugar-free toppings.

- Oatmeal Apple Muffins

Enjoy one of these sweet and filling muffins as an on-the-go breakfast treat or as a late-night snack, served warm with a pat of butter and a cold glass of almond milk.

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons stevia powder

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

3/4 cup 1% low fat milk

1/4 cup canola oil

1 medium apple, coarsely chopped

3/4 cup raisins

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°.

Gently mix dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl mix moist ingredients.

Gradually mix dry ingredients into moist ingredients.

Be careful not to over mix (this can make muffins tough).

Spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.

Spoon mix into muffin tins.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of muffin.

Tip: Try substituting other dense fruits (like pears) for apples, or other dried fruits (like cranberries and dates) for raisins.

-Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Don't let their name fool you; these oatmeal raisin cookies are far from ordinary. With a hint of maple, crunchy walnuts, stevia, and sweet apple juice, they're likely to disappear fast.

Serves: 18

Ingredients:

1/2 cup raisins, packed

5 ounces unsweetened apple juice concentrate

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 

3/4 teaspoon stevia extract

1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

1/4 cup 1% low fat milk

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

Simmer raisins and apple juice in a small pan for 15 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, cream together flour and softened butter or margarine.

Stir in the stevia, maple flavoring, vanilla, and slightly beaten egg.

Cream 1/3 of the stewed raisins and all of the juice in a blender. Set the rest of the raisins aside.

Stir raisins and juice into the butter mixture.

Add milk and oats.

Sift together dry ingredients.

Combine wet and dry ingredients.

Add the rest of the raisins and walnuts. Be careful not to over mix (this can make cookies tough).

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet.

Bake 13-15 minutes.

-Savory Apple Pie 

Finally, a pie that is full of flavor yet not too sweet. Granny Smiths star in this pie filled with a creamy, apple filling, featuring chopped nuts and a hint of buttery onions.

Serves: 9 inch pie

Ingredients:

3 to 4 large Granny Smith apples

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon white stevia powder

2 tablespoons unsalted (sweet) butter

1/2 cup finely diced onion

1/2 cup crushed walnuts (or pecans)

1/2 cup kefir,* or buttermilk

1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water

9 inch prebaked Basic Pie Crust

*A cultured, enzyme-rich beverage, kefir contains friendly bacteria and beneficial yeast that help balance the body's quote inner ecosystem." It supplies complete proteins, essential minerals, and valuable B vitamins. Kefir is sold in health food stores, or it can be made at home from a starter.

Directions:

Peel, core, and slice the apples, then place them in a large bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice, cinnamon, and stevia, and toss well. Set aside.

Place the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté about 10 minutes, or until golden brown and well caramelized.

Add the apples and nuts to the skillet, and continue to sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the apples are soft.

Stir the kefir and cornstarch mixture into the crust and sprinkle with more crushed nuts. (If desired, you can pop the pie under the broiler for a minute to lightly toast the nuts.)

Serve hot or at room temperature.

-Sweet Whipped Cream 

Fresh whipped cream is rich and decadent, especially when lightly sweetened with stevia.

Serves: 2 cups 

Ingredients:

1 pint whipping cream

1/8 teaspoon white stevia powder

Directions:

Place the cream in a large mixing bowl and beat with a whisk or an electric hand-held mixer until it begins to thicken.

Sprinkle the stevia over the cream and continue to beat until soft peaks form (do not over-beat).

Use immediately or place in an airtight container and refrigerate up to four days.