The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (2024)

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Learn the best sugar substitutes for baking and get a FREE chart so you can substitute white sugar in all of your baking.

By Gemma Stafford | | 489

Last updated on November 11, 2019

The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (1)

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Hi Bold Bakers!

My Bold Baking style is all about giving you the confidence to bake anytime, anywhere. In this Bold Baking Bootcamp episode, I want to share useful tips and techniques on how to become a bigger and Bolder Baker including the best sugar substitutes for baking. This Sugar Substitutes post, video and chart will help you find the best alternatives to white sugar so you can keep on baking no matter your dietary preferences.

Last week I shared a Free Downloadable Weight Conversion Chart that allows you to easily convert ingredients from cups to grams to ounces in your recipes. Growing up in Ireland if a recipe was in cups then I couldn’t make it. So, no matter what metric you use or country you live in you should never come across a recipe now that you can’t make. With Bigger Bolder Baking having such an international audience it’s really important to me that not only my recipes, but all recipes are accessible to you. Preferably, they would all be my recipes. Smiley face.

[ For information on how to replace eggs in your baking be sure to check out my free downloadable egg substitute chart. ]

What are the best sugar substitutes for baking?

Nowadays people like to use more all natural sugars, some of my favorites being maple syrup, stevia, agave and honey. Since creating this chart I’ve discovered 2 other sugar substitute brands I really like, Lakanto Sweetener and Swerve. Lakanto brand offers both liquid and powdered sugar replacements while Swerve is a great alternative dry sweetener.

How to substitute 1 cup of sugar

To replace 1 cup of white sugar you can substitute it for 3/4 cup honey, or 3/4 cups maple syrup or 2/3 cup agave or 1 teaspoon stevia.

How to use liquid sweetener

Take care to fully readthe chart because there are tips below the measurements about adjusting the liquid used in the recipe if you choose to use the liquid sugars like agave, honey or maple syrup. Likewise if you use stevia, you will also need to make adjustments to make up the weight of the sugar left out.

GET A FREE DOWNLOADABLE SUGAR SUBSTITUTES CHART

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (8)

Susan Tyma

4 years ago

1 tsp of Stevia for a cup of sugar?

37

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (9)

Gillian DidierSerre

3 years ago

Hi Gemma..can you upload a chart for lakanto and swerve substitute..at present your chart is showing honey and maple syrup tks from Gillian

16

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (10)

Radhu

3 years ago

Hi, can you please tell me which stevia brand do you use? I like to cook for my diabetic parents. thanks

11

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (11)

Sarah

4 years ago

If I use 1 tsp. of stevia to replace 1 cup of sugar, how much apple butter should I use?

6

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (12)

Rosemary

4 years ago

Hi can any one help me i have got a cake recipe which use organic sugar i cant get it were i live so is they any sugar i can use in its place

6

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (13)

Shelly Merritt

3 years ago

Cooking for someone with cancer using no sugar. Needs to gain weight. Any suggestions are appreciated. Ty

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (14)

Ace

3 years ago

Hi Gemma! This guide is really helpful, so thanks for that! I’m planning on making your best ever chocolate chip cookies, which requires 3/4 cup of white sugar. If I were to use maple syrup, would I also have to cut that down by a quarter (so 1/2 cup of syrup)?

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (15)

Guila

3 days ago

I don’t understand what the notes at the end of the chart refer to.

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (16)

Peppermint Passion

3 months ago

Gemma my moms recipe for Christmas fudge she made when I was growing up we all loved it ! 1 large can of pet milk 3 1/2 cups of sugar cook in sauce pan then pour over 1 16 oz marshmallow creme or fluff 2 12 oz packages of semi-sweet choc chips 1 cup of butter 1 tsp vanilla Makes 5 Pounds I am older now and mom has passed on I love this recipe ! I would like to know what sugar substitute should be used when making fudge? There are so many sugar substitutes and sugar options toRead more »

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (17)

Maria

5 months ago

Thank you Gemma for sharing your wisdom!

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About Us

Meet Gemma

The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (18)

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

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The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (19)

The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart) (2024)

FAQs

The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking (w/ FREE Substitutes Chart)? ›

For basic baked goods like sugar cookies or pound cake, using maple syrup or honey instead of sugar lends the finished product a little extra flavor. You'll need a little less of these sweeteners for your recipe—just ¾ cup of maple syrup or honey replaces a full cup of granulated sugar.

What is a natural substitute for sugar in baking? ›

For basic baked goods like sugar cookies or pound cake, using maple syrup or honey instead of sugar lends the finished product a little extra flavor. You'll need a little less of these sweeteners for your recipe—just ¾ cup of maple syrup or honey replaces a full cup of granulated sugar.

What is a good substitute for raw sugar in baking? ›

The best alternative to raw sugar, and the one with the closest texture, is muscovado sugar, which offers a higher nutrient content, molasses, and the coarseness found in raw sugar. Muscovado sugar does have more moisture than other sugars though, meaning you would need to factor this into cooking time.

What is the best natural sugar to bake with? ›

</head>There are over a baker's dozen reasons to swap refined white sugar for alternative sweeteners when baking. Whether you're seeking less of a sugar high and crash or just a chance to add new flavors to your desserts, sweeteners like molasses, maple syrup, honey, and coconut sugar are all great options.

What is the healthiest sugar-free sweetener? ›

Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. As per our expertise, it has no calories and is 200 times sweeter than sugar. Unlike artificial sweeteners, stevia can lower blood pressure, making it an excellent choice for those monitoring their glucose levels or with diabetes.

What is the healthiest natural alternative to sugar? ›

Stevia, monk fruit, certain sugar alcohols, and allulose are much lower in calories than table sugar and do not significantly affect blood sugar levels, making them a smart alternative to refined sugar.

Which sugar substitute tastes most like sugar? ›

Overall, allulose is the closest to processed sugar in both taste and texture while holding less calories. Erythritol has a taste very similar to sugar with no aftertaste but can create a cooling sensation in the mouth.

Is honey healthier than sugar? ›

So is there a definitive answer to which is healthier, honey or sugar? Both should be consumed in limited amounts. Honey may have a slight edge, but excess consumption of either is more dangerous to your health than the advantage of choosing one over the other.

Is stevia better than sugar? ›

Therefore, intake of stevia sweetener does not affect the blood glucose level. Unlike the low-calorie synthetic sweeteners, stevia is quite safe, non-toxic and non-mutagenic; also, it is 200-times sweeter than the regular sugar (sucrose) and calorie-free.

Can you bake without sugar? ›

Sugar alternatives. Try making cakes with ground almonds or grated vegetables. These add a more complex texture, keep cakes moist and boosting flavour with their natural sweetness. Natural sugars, such as honey or maple syrup.

What alternative to sugar tastes like sugar? ›

Overall, allulose is the closest to processed sugar in both taste and texture while holding less calories. Erythritol has a taste very similar to sugar with no aftertaste but can create a cooling sensation in the mouth.

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