Baking cakes using less sugar -how do I go about it?

marmiterulesok

7roland8 wrote: »

Well I always use less sugar than the recipe states - cutting down gently and you will get used to it - I can easily half or more the amount of sugar.

I have done that too sometimes,say using 100g instead of 150g.

Have you found that it works for cakes when you have to cream the butter and sugar?

Alisha2008

I don't think I've ever used the amount of sugar or butter on a cake recipe! I always cut it at lest 30% and it has always came out very nice. I love baking but my OH is not interested in cakes so I'm the only one eating them.. so I don't bake much! What I tend to do is bake muffins which I can easilly freeze and then pop one in the microwave every now and then. (I usually forget about them which is also good)


S-Iam would you share your chocolate cake recipe? Thanks

mel48rose

I too have reduced the amount of sugar in cake recipes. Nobody has really noticed and I think they taste as good as before. Watching our intake too.

[Deleted User]

I also try to reduce sugar in my baking, and do things like make plain scones or add dried fruit to sweeten. I use less sugar generally than the recipes suggest and also replace sugar with grated carrots or mashed bananas. For my husband and myself I make biscuits with only two ingredients of two cups of oats mixed with two or three mashed bananas. Sometimes I will put the oats into the blender to break them down a bit first. I make balls of mixture and squash them down on the baking tray and bake until set. They look a bit odd but taste very nice. Probably, if you reduce your sugar in recipes gradually,you will soon get used to a little less sweetness.

madvixen

There seems to be a bit of a trend towards using apple puree rather than sugar at the moment. There's loads of recipes knocking around on the internet.

DigForVictory

Try jaggery - less processed sugar, usually among the Indian food in the big supermarkets?
It isn't as molasses-y but isn't quite processed white either.
Fun to experiment with though & I'm sure folk will be willing to help out testing!

In_Debt_Bet

marmiterulesok wrote: »

It's just that lately,and for a while,I've been going through a very trying time of binge eating sweet and savoury foods,and one slice of cake is not enough.It's really getting me down.It's a vicious circle and I'm miserable.

I enjoy baking for others too,sharing.

I've found that by cutting a cake into slices when baked, then wrapping and freezing individual slices it helps to reduce my cake intake, cake seems to freeze quite well, it doesn't take long to defrost a slice and it keeps temptation at arms length.

VJsmum

I bake with low or no sugar

Tea bread doesn't really need it - or i grate an apple into it.
there are date and nut based things with no sugar
for sponges I will use xylitol and sugar mixed (so if recipe asks for 6 oz sugar, i will use 1 oz xylitol and 2 - 3 oz sugar) Personally I don't like stevia, it gives more of an aftertaste than xylitol - but xylitol is a laxative if you eat too much :eek:

I made a sugar free wheat free xmas cake that was wonderful

https://www.thehealthychef.com/2014/11/a-healthy-christmas-cake/

Instead of the orange juice, I used whisky

VJsmum

And, just for you, my sugar free date and banana flapjacks (actually not mine, got from Mumsnet!)

1 tsp vanilla essence
80ml vegetable oil
180g oats
175g dates, chopped
2 bananas, sliced
Method

Mash the bananas in a large bowl.
Add the dates and oil to the bananas and mix together.
Stir in the oats and the vanilla essence and
leave for 5 mins, so the oats absorb the oil.
Spoon the mixture into a well greased baking tray and bake at 175C/Gas Mark 5 for about 25 minutes.
Serve.
Handy Hint

Cut into squares while still warm.

I usually make double and freeze half.

marmiterulesok

VJsmum wrote: »

And, just for you, my sugar free date and banana flapjacks (actually not mine, got from Mumsnet!)

1 tsp vanilla essence
80ml vegetable oil
180g oats
175g dates, chopped
2 bananas, sliced
Method

Mash the bananas in a large bowl.
Add the dates and oil to the bananas and mix together.
Stir in the oats and the vanilla essence and
leave for 5 mins, so the oats absorb the oil.
Spoon the mixture into a well greased baking tray and bake at 175C/Gas Mark 5 for about 25 minutes.
Serve.
Handy Hint

Cut into squares while still warm.

I usually make double and freeze half.

Thanks,these sound good.The last time I bought a bag of dates,I ate them all at one sitting....Not my intention when I bought them.
I also have a very small freezer,which is partly why I often do fruit cakes,as they keep so well.

The Christmas cake looks good too.

Lots of great ideas from everyone,thanks.
I'm not sure yet what I'll bake next.I might try a ginger cake recipe and experiment with apple/banana/carrot.