How to Reduce Sugar in Baking Recipes: 5 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

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Last Updated: April 8, 2021

Sugar, sugar, sugar. We all consume far more of it than we ever need. And yet the thought of giving up the baked goodies is too painful by half. Instead, look for creative ways to reduce sugar when baking, and soon you'll learn to lessen that sweet tooth while still enjoying the advantages of a fulfilling baked item.

Steps

  1. 1

    Reduce it bit by bit. Start by cutting back to three-quarters the amount the recipe suggests. Then halve it. Many French chefs halve the amount of sugar recommended in a baked goods recipe with nobody the wiser as to the flavour impact. With a gradual reduction, you'll find yourself getting used to the new way that the baked items taste.

  2. 2

    Substitute the sugar. Another great way to reduce sugar intake is to substitute it with something as tasty. Some choices include:

    • Stevia
    • Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, mixed spice, etc.)
    • Fruit puree (but beware, this is still fructose, and see "Tips")
    • Syrups, such as maple, rice or agave (agave syrup is very high in fructose and may not be a suitable substitute)
    • Honey
    • Artificial sweeteners (you'll need to know if they can be baked though)
    • Fresh fruit, berries, or sweet vegetables.

  3. 3

    Increase the flour. Use this to make up the missed volume of sugar. For most recipes this will work but you do need to experiment.

  4. 4

    Be careful of reducing sugar in recipes using yeast. Yeast requires the sugar to activate. If you can discern how much sugar the yeast needs and set that aside and only fiddle with the rest of the sugar, that's ideal. If not, experiment with daring, and you'll discover by trial and error what does and does not work.

  5. 5

    Reconsider any sugar based toppings for baked goods. Icing sugar, granular sugar, fine sugar, etc., are all still sugar and adding them to your freshly baked goods can increase the sugar overload. Find topping substitutes that are healthy, such as fresh fruit, spices like cinnamon, or sugar-free grated chocolate. Or why not just leave it bare?

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  • Question

    If I reduce the sugar to half the quantity will it affect the texture and taste of the cake?

    How to Reduce Sugar in Baking Recipes: 5 Steps (with Pictures) (6)

    Community Answer

    Yes.

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  • Question

    I put too much sugar in my jam, so it is very sweet. What can I add to make it less sugary?

    How to Reduce Sugar in Baking Recipes: 5 Steps (with Pictures) (7)

    Community Answer

    The only way you can reduce the sugar in jam is by making (or buying) more jam with no sugar and mixing it together with the sweet jam.

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    See Also
    50 Holiday Recipes That Will Have Everyone Asking For Seconds

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  • Question

    How can I reduce the sugar?

    How to Reduce Sugar in Baking Recipes: 5 Steps (with Pictures) (8)

    Community Answer

    You can reduce the amount that you use in the recipe by cutting back on what the recipe calls for.

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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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      Tips

      • When absorbed into the whole mixture, honey and syrups don't raise your blood sugar level any faster than fruits and vegetables.[1]

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      • If using fruit juice or fruit puree, be sure that they're pure and unsweetened. You don't want sugar sneaking in through the back door.

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      Things You'll Need

      • Sugar substitutes

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      References

      1. ↑ Esme Floyd, 1001 Little Healthy Eating Miracles, p. 73, (2007), ISBN 978-1-84442-068-1

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