using sweetner in baking

smithyjules

My question is mainly because i had a disaster with the twinks hobnobs recipe when i tried to use tesco's granulated sweetner to replace sugar (see below). But i wondered if there is a general rule on how to replace caster sugar with sweetner? and if it has any other effects on the end results of biscuits cakes etc?

I have been making twinks for about a year using 5oz sugar (my LO likes them lots so trying to be good!). all has been marvelous. my OH has just started trying to loose weight and i thought about replacing tesco granulated sweetener for the sugar to loose some calories. I tried using volume for volume for the 5oz i usually do but they were foul lol!really savoury and had a horrid texture that was hard to swallow.

Having never baked with sweetener i haven't a clue what i've done wrong!

HELP!!SOT (Save Our Twinks!!)

davetrousers

Artificial Sweeteners behave differently (when cooking) to sugar hence the problems you're having. Some are suitable, don't know which ones though! They probably say on the pack that they're suitable for baking etc. So have a quick read before buying.

I loathe sweeteners though!

Raspberry_Swirl

I mad a cake with sweetner once for a diabetic friend and the taste of the cake was like there was no sugar in there at all. All that saved it was a cream cheese frosting sweetened with sweetner, otherwise it was like eating a savoury cake!!

chem_j

I have used sweetener (Canderel) when making banana bread (a recipe using melted butter, rather than one that involves creaming). I only replace about half of it though. It turns out fine, with no noticeable differences in either taste or texture. I replace it by weight using 1/10 of the weight (that's what it says on the jar). I don't know how it would work in something like hobnobs though, because it would probably have different properties to sugar when melted. I also haven't risked a creaming recipe yet, because it might affect the volume.

Money_saving_Diva_2

Hi there

I make Twinks with about 4 oz sugar and the rest in volume with granulated sweetener. I also add dried fruit to mine usually and cinnamon. I find that the cookies do not spread out much but they taste absolutely fine. I use the Tescos own brand sweetener or Canderal if it's on offer.

Diva.x

SallyForth_2

I know it doesn't work in breadmaking, because my mum accidently used some without realising when she got her new breadmaker. The bread was awful.

exup

some sweeteners can cause a laxative effect, especially when consumed in large quantities, over natural sugars as your digestive system cannot bind matter to them properly. They simulate the sweet taste but chemically they could be very different.
Could try some of the sugar brands that now have reduced calorie products.