Healthy Tips When Baking With Splenda

One of the greatest benefits of the sugar substituteOne of the greatest benefits of the sugar substitute
Splenda is that this alternative for table sugar can beSplenda is that this alternative for table sugar can be
used to prepare a wide range of your favorite bakedused to prepare a wide range of your favorite baked
goods.  This is a great advantage for people whogoods.  This is a great advantage for people who
want to cut back or eliminate granulated sugar fromwant to cut back or eliminate granulated sugar from
their daily diet while still enjoying something sweettheir daily diet while still enjoying something sweet
every now and then.  There are some tips to keepevery now and then.  There are some tips to keep
in mind, however, if you are planning on trying a fewin mind, however, if you are planning on trying a few
recipes using Splenda instead of sugar.recipes using Splenda instead of sugar.
Unlike some other sugar substitutes, SplendaUnlike some other sugar substitutes, Splenda
measures just like granulated sugar.  This meansmeasures just like granulated sugar.  This means
that in many recipes you can simply substitute a cupthat in many recipes you can simply substitute a cup
of Splenda for a cup of sugar without making anyof Splenda for a cup of sugar without making any
other complicated adjustments to the recipe.  This isother complicated adjustments to the recipe.  This is
especially true when the purpose of the sugar is toespecially true when the purpose of the sugar is to
add flavor, and not as a way of adding volume oradd flavor, and not as a way of adding volume or
texture to the finished recipe.texture to the finished recipe.
While it is true that Splenda does not effectivelyWhile it is true that Splenda does not effectively
work in recipes to cause baked goods to rise orwork in recipes to cause baked goods to rise or
obtain a less dense texture, there are a couple ofobtain a less dense texture, there are a couple of
ways to still cut back on calories and carbohydratesways to still cut back on calories and carbohydrates
while baking.  One approach is to use a combinationwhile baking.  One approach is to use a combination
of Splenda and table sugar instead of just sugar. of Splenda and table sugar instead of just sugar. 
Because Splenda is made from sucralose andBecause Splenda is made from sucralose and
maltodextrin, it will blend easily with the sugar andmaltodextrin, it will blend easily with the sugar and
not create any type of unusual taste.  For example,not create any type of unusual taste.  For example,
if a recipe calls for one cup of sugar, use a half cupif a recipe calls for one cup of sugar, use a half cup
of Splenda with a half cup of table sugar.  This willof Splenda with a half cup of table sugar.  This will
allow the recipe to achieve the proper texture whileallow the recipe to achieve the proper texture while
still cutting the amount of carbs and calories in half.still cutting the amount of carbs and calories in half.
Another approach that works in many recipes is toAnother approach that works in many recipes is to
augment the Splenda with a little powdered milk mixaugment the Splenda with a little powdered milk mix
and baking soda.  The usual recommendation is toand baking soda.  The usual recommendation is to
include a half cup of the dry powder and a halfinclude a half cup of the dry powder and a half
teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of Splendateaspoon of baking soda for every cup of Splenda
used.  This approach will still achieve the desirableused.  This approach will still achieve the desirable
texture, while obtaining the sweetness from the usetexture, while obtaining the sweetness from the use
of the Splenda.  For people who simply want to doof the Splenda.  For people who simply want to do
away with granulated sugar altogether, this may beaway with granulated sugar altogether, this may be
the most beneficial option.the most beneficial option.
It is important to remember that Splenda is notIt is important to remember that Splenda is not
capable of activating yeast in any recipe.  Whencapable of activating yeast in any recipe.  When
preparing breads and other foods that require yeast,preparing breads and other foods that require yeast,
do not completely substitute Splenda for the amountdo not completely substitute Splenda for the amount
of sugar indicated in the recipe.  Instead, try to addof sugar indicated in the recipe.  Instead, try to add
a minimum of two teaspoons of granulated sugar,a minimum of two teaspoons of granulated sugar,
and then finish out the rest of the measurementand then finish out the rest of the measurement
with Splenda.  This will be enough to allow the recipewith Splenda.  This will be enough to allow the recipe
to rise properly and still cut the amount of carbs andto rise properly and still cut the amount of carbs and
calories in the finished product.calories in the finished product.
Puddings can be made with Splenda without changingPuddings can be made with Splenda without changing
the texture at all.  However, it is oftenthe texture at all.  However, it is often
recommended to add an extra tablespoon of extractrecommended to add an extra tablespoon of extract
for every cup of Splenda used in the recipe.  Thefor every cup of Splenda used in the recipe.  The
extract helps to boost the flavor.  This sameextract helps to boost the flavor.  This same
approach can be used when making cookies orapproach can be used when making cookies or
custards as well.custards as well.
When preparing meringues, it is no secret that sugarWhen preparing meringues, it is no secret that sugar
adds both volume and flavor.  Since Splenda cannotadds both volume and flavor.  Since Splenda cannot
enhance the volume, it is necessary to addenhance the volume, it is necessary to add
something to the egg whites that will achieve thatsomething to the egg whites that will achieve that
same effect.  In these situations, baking powder issame effect.  In these situations, baking powder is
often recommended.  Adding roughly a teaspoonoften recommended.  Adding roughly a teaspoon
along with Splenda will make it possible to formalong with Splenda will make it possible to form
beautiful peaks or meringue that will achieve a goldenbeautiful peaks or meringue that will achieve a golden
brown in the oven.  While the texture is not exactlybrown in the oven.  While the texture is not exactly
like that of meringue made with sugar, it is so closelike that of meringue made with sugar, it is so close
that many people will not be able to detect thethat many people will not be able to detect the
difference. One easy trick to help the meringuedifference. One easy trick to help the meringue
achieve a golden brown finish is to spray the top ofachieve a golden brown finish is to spray the top of
the meringue with a little cooking spray just beforethe meringue with a little cooking spray just before
sliding the recipe into the oven.  The same approachsliding the recipe into the oven.  The same approach
can also be used with quick breads where a littlecan also be used with quick breads where a little
browning adds to the overall presentation.browning adds to the overall presentation.
Many people are surprised to learn that Splenda canMany people are surprised to learn that Splenda can
be used when making fresh jams and preserves. be used when making fresh jams and preserves. 
This is because the sweetener does not lose any ofThis is because the sweetener does not lose any of
its flavors when subjected to heat.  However, it isits flavors when subjected to heat.  However, it is
important to note that Splenda is not able toimportant to note that Splenda is not able to
duplicate the preservation qualities of granulatedduplicate the preservation qualities of granulated
sugar.  This means that it is very important tosugar.  This means that it is very important to
employ proper storage techniques in order toemploy proper storage techniques in order to
maintain the freshness of the food.  Once themaintain the freshness of the food.  Once the
container is opened, make sure to keep itcontainer is opened, make sure to keep it
refrigerated and throw away any unused portionrefrigerated and throw away any unused portion
after a month.after a month.
To help you learn how to bake with Splenda, thereTo help you learn how to bake with Splenda, there
are a number of resources in print as well as online. are a number of resources in print as well as online. 
McNeil Nutritionals, the makers of Splenda, haveMcNeil Nutritionals, the makers of Splenda, have
released many easy-to-create recipes using theirreleased many easy-to-create recipes using their
product.  Other recipes have been developed andproduct.  Other recipes have been developed and
published by culinary professionals as well aspublished by culinary professionals as well as
consumers who love to use Splenda at home.  Theconsumers who love to use Splenda at home.  The
recipes tend to be very easy to follow, making itrecipes tend to be very easy to follow, making it
possible for just about anyone to learn how to makepossible for just about anyone to learn how to make
delicious treats using Splenda.delicious treats using Splenda.