If you’re keen on cake but would like to cut down your consumption of refined sugar, look no further than this list of natural alternatives to get that sweet taste in your baking. You may find that the reduced sugar flavor takes some getting used to, but once your tastebuds have adjusted there will be no going back!
Honey
High in antioxidants and used in traditional medicines to treat wounds and promote healing, honey is one alternative to refined sugar. Honey itself is still high in sugar, but if you use local, organic honey it has notable health benefits that sugar can’t provide. Do be aware that honey will change the consistency of the cake, you may find that you need to add an extra tablespoon of flour to balance out the liquid.
Fruit and Vegetables
Perhaps the most intense low-sugar cake, it is possible to bake a cake using beetroot, zucchini, and dried fruits in place of sugar. Like the honey, this mix will considerably change the consistency of the cake, and you may wish to add an extra egg to help the mix bind together. Grate all of the fruit and vegetables before adding them to the cake mix. This cake will have a very wholesome taste, if it’s not sweet enough you could try it with a dollop of natural yogurt and honey on the side.
Date Molasses
Date molasses is a thick, dark syrup extracted from dates. It is high in sugar, but also high in different vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B3, B2, and C. It has a lovely caramel flavor, so is excellent in bakes such as banana bread, ginger loaf, or apple and cinnamon cake. If you’re following a cake recipe that calls for sugar, replace one-third of the amount of sugar that is required with date molasses.
