Out of Sugar, one case
How to substitute stevia for sugar
4 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Stevia baking blend
1 cup for every cup of sugar
It depends on the product, because stevia is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar. As a guide, 1 cup of sugar equals about 1 teaspoon of pure stevia extract powder, 1 teaspoon of liquid stevia, or 24 packets. Stevia baking blends that are bulked up to measure like sugar are used cup for cup. Check the chart on your package first.
- Verdict —
- You'll taste it
- The tweak —
- Follow the bag: some blends are 1 cup per cup of sugar, others are twice as sweet and use ½ cup.
- Best for —
- cakes, muffins and quick breads
One casethe full sugar card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 cup sugar | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stevia baking blendcakes, muffins and quick breads | 1 cupYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 2 | Pure stevia extract powderdrinks, yogurt and oatmeal | 1 tspYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 3 | Liquid steviacoffee, tea and lemonade | 1 tspYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 4 | Stevia packetshot and cold drinks | 24 packetsYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Stevia baking blend
sweet with a mild cooling or licorice aftertaste
Stevia mixed with a bulking agent such as erythritol or maltodextrin so it measures like sugar. It is the simplest product to bake with.
- Best for
- cakes, muffins and quick breads, cookies, sweetening fruit
- Prep
- Follow the bag: some blends are 1 cup per cup of sugar, others are twice as sweet and use ½ cup.
- Where it fails
- Caramel, meringue and yeast bread. Stevia does not caramelize, does not stabilize foam and does not feed yeast.
Pure stevia extract powder
very sweet; bitter and licorice-like if you overshoot
The concentrated white powder with no filler. A tiny amount sweetens, but it replaces none of the bulk, moisture or browning of sugar.
- Best for
- drinks, yogurt and oatmeal, sauces and dressings, custards and puddings
- Prep
- In baking, add 1/3 cup of applesauce, yogurt or pumpkin puree per cup of sugar removed to replace the lost bulk.
- Where it fails
- Cookies and cakes that rely on sugar for structure and spread. They bake up small, pale and dry.
Liquid stevia
clean in small amounts, bitter in large ones
Stevia extract in water or alcohol. Easy to dose by the drop.
- Best for
- coffee, tea and lemonade, smoothies, whipped cream and cheesecake filling
- Prep
- Start with 6 to 9 drops in place of 1 tbsp sugar and adjust to taste.
- Where it fails
- Baked goods that need the bulk of sugar.
Stevia packets
sweet with some aftertaste
Each packet is sized to match about 2 teaspoons of sugar.
- Best for
- hot and cold drinks, sprinkling on fruit or cereal
- Prep
- 1 packet for 2 tsp sugar; 1 ½ packets for 1 tbsp.
- Where it fails
- Baking by the cup, where opening two dozen packets is not practical and the fillers vary by brand.
Tips for substituting sugar
4 tips- Brands differ a great deal. The conversion chart on the package overrides any general rule.
- Replace only half the sugar on a first try. The bake keeps its browning and texture, and the aftertaste is much less noticeable.
- Stevia does not brown. Bake by time and a toothpick test, not by color, and expect a paler crust.
- Without sugar, baked goods stale faster. Wrap them well and eat within two days, or freeze.
Questions
4 questionsHow much stevia equals 1 cup of sugar?
About 1 teaspoon of pure stevia powder or liquid stevia, or 24 packets. A stevia baking blend is usually 1 cup, or ½ cup for double-strength blends.
How much stevia equals 1 tablespoon of sugar?
About 1 ½ packets, or 6 to 9 drops of liquid stevia, or a pinch (roughly 1/16 teaspoon) of pure powder.
Can I bake with stevia instead of sugar?
Yes, most easily with a baking blend that measures like sugar. With pure stevia you must replace the missing bulk, about 1/3 cup of applesauce or yogurt per cup of sugar, and accept a paler, denser result.
Why does my stevia baking taste bitter?
Too much was used. Stevia turns bitter past a certain concentration. Cut the amount by a quarter, or replace only half the sugar.