Ever run out of an ingredient and you just don’t have time to run to the store before you need to get to that party? Ever wonder how to eat “healthier desserts”? Well, don’t fret because we have you covered for a few of the most common baking substitutions to keep around the kitchen!
Sugar Substitutions: Useful for baking cookies, cakes, banana bread and brownies.
1 cup unsweetened applesauce FOR 1 cup of sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract FOR ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce = 100 calories versus 1 cup sugar = 770 + calories
- Swapping vanilla for ½ cup sugar will cut about 400 calories.
- Tip: For every 1 cup of applesauce used, reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe by ¼ cup.
Eggs/Oil Substitutions: Useful for baking cakes, banana bread and muffins.
1 can diet cola FOR 1/3 cup of oil and 3 eggs
1 cup unsweetened applesauce FOR 1 cup oil
- The cake will keep its moisture and you will reduce the calories.
- Unsweetened applesauce has the same consistency as butter and oil, but with zero fat.
Butter Substitutions: Useful for baking brownies and cookies.
1 cup pureed avocado FOR 1 cup butter
1 cup mashed banana FOR 1 cup butter
- Avocado contains healthy unsaturated fat, unlike the saturated fat you find in butter.
- Mashed bananas are the perfect consistency and contain healthy things like potassium, fiber and Vitamin B6.
Flour Substitutions: Useful for baking brownies and similar foods.
1 cup whole wheat flour FOR slightly less than 1 cup white flour
1 cup pureed black beans FOR 1 cup flour
- Whole wheat flour adds extra fiber, which can lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
- Black beans cut the gluten in recipes and you get a boost of protein.