Cooking with Xylitol

Cooking and Baking with Xylitol

What do you get when you use Epic’s Xylitol as a sweetener?

You get the sugar-free, all-natural, non-GMO, gluten-free, low-glycemic, lots-of-hyphens sweetener.

As a sugar substitute, xylitol compares about 1:1 in recipes (that is to say 1/2 cup sugar equals 1/2 cup xylitol. But of course, it's not sugar (we - humbly - think it's better) and as such - that ratio may vary slightly from tasty treat to tasty treat.

 

Tips for Using Xylitol as a Sweetener

Here are some tips for adjusting to the subtle differences between xylitol and sugar:

    • When cooking or baking, know that xylitol absorbs moisture like you wouldn't believe - so you’ll likely need to adjust brownie and cookie recipes. We recommend removing them from the oven just a wee bit before you think they are done to maintain the softness and consistency you expect. 
    • Yeast won’t metabolize xylitol, so it can’t be used a sugar replacement in breads that rise. But this feature of xylitol gives it two great upsides. First, xylitol acts as a natural preservative when used as a glaze or frosting. Second, xylitol won’t feed cavities. 
    • Xylitol tends to crystallize when refrigerated in viscous solutions (syrup, jam, sauces). You can easily remedy this issue by adding a small amount of xantham gum to the xylitol crystas before adding them into your other ingredients. 
    • Use xylitol as substitute for brown sugar simply by adding 1 to 2 tsps of molasses for every cup of xylitol used. 
    • Xylitol does not carmelize or reach “hard crack” because it remains stable under high heat. We recommend using an alternate sweetener for topping creme brulee, or for making hard candies.
    • Although there are no major Xylitol side effects, it’s good to begin using it in moderation. Too much xylitol, too quickly can cause mild gastrointestinal distress. Remember, as with everything in your life, moderation is your friend, and it’ll help to combat any potential gastrointestinal issues by combining it with other bulk ingredients (like in brownies or cookies).

The Sweet Facts about Xylitol

A low-glycemic, all-natural sweetener, xylitol contains 40% fewer calories than sugar. As a result, too, diabetics have written us to say "thank you" many times over for returning them to their sweet tooth.

It’s almost unfair, and you’ll be smiling your guilty-pleasure smile all the way around town. What's more, if you're diabetic or otherwise need to avoid sugar, we'd like to reintroduce you to sweet treats ... in moderation, of course :-)

Here are some sweet, free recipes to get you started, and remember: All our sweeteners and unsugary-sweet treats work just as well to help protect your teeth and maintain your waistline.

Pies, cookies, and cakes, oh my! These are just a few of the lip-smackers you’ll find in nutritionist Karen Edwards’s Sweeten Your Life with Xylitol cookbook. Sounds too good to be true, yes?

Just wait - it’ll taste too good to be true, too.

Questions? You’re also welcome to contact us whenever you wish.