Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to bake cakes without using refined sugars. There are many natural sugar substitutes that can be used in baking cakes, such as honey, maple syrup, dates, bananas, and applesauce. With some recipe adjustments, sugar-free cakes can taste just as delicious as regular cakes. The keys are using moisture-retaining ingredients, alternative sweeteners, spices, and extracts to add flavor.
What are some good alternatives to use instead of refined sugar in cakes?
Some excellent natural sugar substitutes for baking cakes include:
– Honey – Replace 1 cup of sugar with 3/4 to 1 cup of honey. Reduce liquids slightly to account for honey’s moisture.
– Maple syrup – Use 3/4 cup for every 1 cup of granulated sugar. Reduce liquids by 3 tablespoons.
– Dates – Puréed dates can replace sugar in a 1:1 ratio. They add moisture so reduce other liquids.
– Bananas – 1 medium ripe banana equals about 1/3 cup of sugar. Use mashed overripe bananas.
– Applesauce – Substitute 1 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce. Reduce liquids by 1-2 tablespoons.
– Stevia – Extremely sweet so use just a teaspoon or two instead of 1 cup of sugar.
– Erythritol – A sugar alcohol that substitutes 1:1 for sugar but absorb moisture so add extra liquids.
– Coconut sugar – Contains nutrients unlike refined sugar and substitutes 1:1.
How can you adjust recipes to make tasty sugar-free cakes?
Making delicious sugar-free cakes requires some adjustments to balance flavors and moisture:
– Increase eggs and oil/butter to add moisture without sugar’s tenderizing effect.
– Add extra leavening like baking soda or powder to achieve rise without sugar.
– Use milk or non-dairy milks to add moisture. Reduce other liquids.
– Add various extracts like vanilla, almond, peppermint to boost flavor.
– Use cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and other spices to add depth.
– Sweeten frostings and fillings with sugar substitutes to satisfy cravings.
– Use fruits like bananas, apples, pears, pineapple to add sweetness and moisture.
– Opt for moist ingredients like sour cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, pureed fruits.
– Bake cakes at a slightly lower temperature for a more gradual rise without sugar’s caramelization.
What are some good sugar-free cake recipes to try baking?
Here are some delicious sugar-free cakes to bake:
Banana Cake
– 2 cups mashed extra ripe bananas (about 4-5 bananas)
– 1/2 cup milk or non-dairy milk
– 1/3 cup coconut oil or canola oil
– 2 eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 cups flour
– 2 teaspoons baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Applesauce Spice Cake
– 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
– 1/3 cup coconut oil or vegetable oil
– 2 eggs
– 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
– 1 teaspoon vanilla
– 2 cups flour
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Carrot Cake
– 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
– 1 cup mashed ripe banana
– 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
– 1/2 cup coconut oil or vegetable oil
– 4 eggs
– 1 tablespoon vanilla
– 2 cups flour
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
What ingredients help add moisture to sugar-free cakes?
Some ingredients that add moisture and tenderness to sugar-free cakes include:
– Ripe mashed bananas – The starch converts to sugar as bananas ripen, adding sweetness and moisture.
– Applesauce – Provides a balanced sweet flavor and moisture without adding a pronounced apple taste.
– Buttermilk – The tang complements spice flavors while the acidity tenderizes cakes.
– Yogurt – Adds a creamy, tangy moisture and pairs well with honey sweetened cakes.
– Sour cream – Contributes a rich, moist texture and tangy flavor.
– Milk – The lactose adds a bit of natural sweetness to balance other flavors.
– Non-dairy milks – Nut and soy milks add moisture without a strong flavor profile.
– Pureed fruits – Fruits like pineapple, pear and strawberry add bright flavor, moisture and sweetness.
– Vegetable purees – Sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini lend moisture.
– Eggs – The proteins and fats help retain moisture for a tender crumb.
What natural sweeteners work best in sugar-free cakes?
These natural sweeteners are excellent for baking sugarless cakes:
| Sweetener | Baking Tips |
|---|---|
| Honey | Reduce liquids slightly, adds moisture |
| Maple syrup | Use 3/4 cup per 1 cup sugar, reduce liquids |
| Dates | Purée into paste as 1:1 sugar replacement |
| Ripe bananas | Replace 1/3 cup sugar with 1 banana |
| Applesauce | Use 1/2 cup per 1 cup sugar, reduce liquids |
| Stevia | Very potent, start with 1-2 tsp instead of 1 cup sugar |
These sweeteners add moisture, fiber, nutrients and depth of flavor while allowing the main cake ingredients to shine.
How can you modify sugar-free cake recipes to improve texture?
To improve the texture of sugar-free cakes:
– Stir in an extra egg to add moisture as sugar would.
– Substitute buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream for other liquids.
– Add an extra 1/4 tsp baking soda to help cakes rise properly.
– Use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour for a more tender crumb.
– Fold in whipped egg whites to make the batter lighter.
– Replace up to 1/4 of the flour with almond flour for tenderness.
– Add an extra 1-2 Tbsp of oil or melted butter for more moisture.
– Puree fruits like pears, pineapple, or plums into the batter.
– Mix in a spoonful of honey for moisture and sweetness.
– Let cakes cool completely before frosting so crumb firms properly.
What tips help sugar-free cakes retain moisture?
Some useful tips for keeping sugar-free cakes moist include:
– Avoid overbaking. Test doneness a few minutes early.
– Store cakes in airtight containers or wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
– Use simple syrups made with sugar substitutes to brush on cooled cakes.
– Frost with creamy frostings like cream cheese, whipped cream, or rich buttercream.
– Include juicy fruit fillings like mango, pineapple, or strawberry.
– Substitute buttermilk, yogurt, or sour cream for other liquids in recipes.
– Replace up to 1/4 of the flour with moist ingredients like pureed fruit.
– Add an extra egg yolk for more moisture and richness.
– Opt for oil instead of butter to limit drying during baking.
– Reduce baking powder or soda slightly to prevent forming air pockets.
– Add melted chocolate to batters as chocolate retains moisture well.
What are some good flavor combinations for sugar-free cakes?
Delicious flavor combinations to try in sugarless cakes include:
Spice combinations:
– Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger
– Cinnamon, cloves, allspice
– Cardamom, vanilla, black pepper
– Pumpkin pie spices
Fruit additions:
– Bananas, walnuts, vanilla
– Pineapple, coconut, lime
– Pears, almonds, cinnamon
– Apples, raisins, nutmeg
– Strawberries, blackberries, lemon
Other flavors:
– Almond, orange zest, poppy seeds
– Hazelnut, coffee, chocolate
– Honey, mascarpone, blackberry preserves
– Brown sugar, fig, pecan
– Maple, sea salt, toasted coconut
Should you adjust the oven temperature when baking sugar-free cakes?
Yes, it can help to bake sugarless cakes at a slightly lower oven temperature, around 325°F instead of 350°F. Without sugar’s tenderizing and caramelizing effects, cakes can over-brown on the outside before the center finishes baking. The more gradual heat allows moisture to escape slowly so cakes don’t dry out. Test doneness a few minutes before the recipe suggests since carryover cooking will finish the baking process. Watch carefully to prevent over baking.
How does lack of sugar impact leavening in cakes?
Sugar assists with leavening batters by helping retain air bubbles formed by baking powder, baking soda or whipped egg whites. Without sugar, batters may not hold air bubbles as well and rise adequately. To improve leavening and lift:
– Increase baking powder or soda by 1/4 tsp. But don’t over-leaven or cakes will sink.
– Use cake flour rather than all-purpose flour. Lower protein content makes for more tender, airy crumb.
– Whip egg whites into a meringue to fold into batters for added lift.
– Replace up to 1/4 cup flour with easily dissolved ingredients like fruit purees.
– Add an extra egg white to incorporate more air into the batter.
– Allow batters to rest 30 minutes for leavening agents to work before baking.
Can you make sugar-free cake frostings and fillings?
Yes, it’s easy to create luscious frostings and fillings without refined sugars:
Frosting Options:
– Cream cheese frosting sweetened with honey or maple syrup.
– Whipped coconut cream sweetened with vanilla and stevia.
– Greek yogurt beaten with lemon juice and cinnamon.
– Mascarpone cheese blended with cocoa powder and espresso powder.
– Whipped butter or coconut oil with almond extract and pure maple syrup.
Filling Ideas:
– Sweetened whipped cream with vanilla bean seeds.
– Lemon curd sweetened with monk fruit or erythritol.
– Strawberry preserves sweetened with honey.
– Date caramel made from pureed Medjool dates.
– Nutty chocolate-banana butter made with mashed banana, cocoa, and chopped nuts.
– Mashed blueberries flavored with coconut sugar and lime zest.
Conclusion
While omitting refined sugar presents some challenges, it is entirely possible to bake mouthwatering cakes sweetened with natural alternatives. With options like fruit purees, honey, maple syrup and dates, sugar-free cakes can be just as scrumptious. Getting moisture, leavening and texture right takes some adjustments to recipes but a little trial and error leads to luscious, wholesome treats with far less processed sugar. Cakes made with nourishing ingredients provide the sweet indulgence you crave without the sugar crash you dread.
