Can Monk Fruit Replace Sugar in Baking?
Written By: C. Retter BS, CPT on July 22, 2022 — Fact checked by Yocheved Millman MS, RDN
Most of us know that sugar makes our food taste sweeter. Did you also know that sugar plays a significant role in the color, texture, moisture, and size of baked goods? Aside from sweetening our baked goods, granulated sugar provides a host of chemical functions for optimal baking, like softness and moisture. Sugar and water bond to lock in moisture, so the baked goods do not dry out. Sugar crystals cut into mixtures of fat, eggs, and liquid ingredients, creating thousands of tiny air bubbles.
These bubbles act as a leavening agent as they expand during baking and lift the batter, causing it to rise. In the presence of heat, a reaction between the protein and sugars takes place, known as the Maillard reaction. This reaction occurs when proteins found in other ingredients react with sugar in the oven or other heat source to form a new aroma, flavor, and brown color. The more sugar a food item contains, the browner it will become when heated. Like the Maillard reaction, caramelization results from heated sugars to produce a deep flavor and shade of brown but does not rely on protein to produce them.
These factors contribute to making your sweets that much more tempting. We know those results are hard to duplicate, and we don’t want you to miss out on your favorite flavors and textures. That’s why we blend our monk fruit extract with erythritol to create a natural sweetener to use in your everyday baking recipes. We also compiled tips to use our monk fruit blends in baking. See that article here. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol made from a natural source through fermentation with only 0.24 calories per gram. It is used as a bulking agent and sweetener in the MonkVee Original Monk Fruit and MonkVee Golden Monk Fruit. Because erythritol is only about 70% as sweet as sugar, the perfect sugar sweetness is achieved when a precise amount of our concentrated monk fruit extract is blended in. Check out some more information about erythritol in this blog post.
Erythritol is also granular, similar to sugar, and its properties contribute to almost identical results in your baked products. It creams nicely with butter and contributes to the bulk and texture of baked goods, just like sugar. If you need powdered sugar in your recipe, you can process up the blend with a nut grinder or high-speed blender. It won’t caramelize the same way sugar does, so you’ll need a bit more creativity when looking for those results. At MonkVee, we produce products with you in mind so that you can enjoy your favorite family recipes without compromising on your health, diet, oral hygiene, and calorie consumption. We’ve combined the best tasting, healthiest alternative sweeteners and produced them in a user-friendly format that can be measured at a 1:1 ratio with sugar. Say goodbye to complicated sweetening and achieve your sweet dreams with MonkVee!
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MonkVee® Golden Monk Fruit Sweetener
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MonkVee® Golden Monk Fruit Sweetener
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MonkVee® Original Monk Fruit Sweetener
47% off
MonkVee
MonkVee® Original Monk Fruit Sweetener
- Sale price
- $14.95
- Regular price
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Commonly Asked Questions
Why use Monk Fruit Sweetener?
MonkVee® Monk Fruit Sweeteners are 100% natural and zero calories. Unlike sugar which is known to be the leading cause of dozens of awful chronic illnesses such as certain cancers, diabetes, and other killers. MonkVee® Monk Fruit (and Stevia extract) are the healthiest known sweeteners available on the market today. Unlike lab-made artificial sweeteners, MonkVee® is your #1 choice for pure, natural, delicious sweetness. No More sugar spikes and sugar crashes, jitters, diseases, tooth decay and cavities... The list goes on. Try MonkVee® and enter the sweet life!
Will monk fruit sweetener activate yeast
Monk fruit doesn't activate yeast like sugar does, however, by using MonkVee® Monk Fruit, you can reduce the sugar in your recipe overall and have a much healthier outcome! And it will taste just as good! See our full article about baking with monk fruit here.
What is monk fruit?
Monk fruit, also known as luo han guo, is a small green melon native to Southeast Asia. It's valued for its sweetness and health benefits.
How is monk fruit sweetener made?
Monk fruit sweetener is made by extracting the natural sugars from the monk fruit, resulting in a concentrated sweetener that is much sweeter than sugar.
Is monk fruit sweetener a good sugar alternative for baking?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener can be used as a sugar alternative in baking. It provides sweetness without the calories or blood sugar spikes associated with regular sugar.
Does monk fruit sweetener have any calories?
Monk fruit sweetener is calorie-free, making it an excellent option for those watching their calorie intake.
Can monk fruit sweetener be used by people with diabetes?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener is a suitable option for people with diabetes because it does not affect blood sugar levels.
Is monk fruit sweetener safe for weight loss diets?
Monk fruit sweetener can be a helpful tool for those on weight loss diets as it provides sweetness without the calories of sugar.
Does monk fruit sweetener have an aftertaste?
Monk fruit sweetener typically does not have an aftertaste, especially when compared to other artificial sweeteners.
Can monk fruit sweetener help with acne?
While there's no direct evidence linking monk fruit sweetener to acne, reducing sugar intake, including monk fruit sweetener, may contribute to clearer skin for some individuals.
Does monk fruit sweetener affect sleep quality?
Monk fruit sweetener does not directly affect sleep quality. However, consuming it in excess before bedtime may lead to digestive discomfort, which could impact sleep.
Are there any known side effects of consuming monk fruit sweetener?
Monk fruit sweetener is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) according to the FDA.
Can monk fruit sweetener be used in hot beverages like coffee or tea?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener can be added to hot beverages like coffee or tea to sweeten them without adding calories.
Is monk fruit sweetener suitable for vegan diets?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener is vegan-friendly as it is derived from the fruit and does not contain any animal products.
How does monk fruit sweetener compare to other natural sweeteners like stevia?
Monk fruit sweetener and stevia are both natural sweeteners with zero calories, but monk fruit is often considered to have a cleaner, more sugar-like taste.
Can monk fruit sweetener be used in cold beverages?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener can be used to sweeten cold beverages like iced tea or lemonade without any issues.
Does monk fruit sweetener contain any artificial ingredients?
No, monk fruit sweetener is made from the natural sugars found in the monk fruit and does not contain any artificial ingredients.
Can monk fruit sweetener be used in recipes that require caramelization?
Monk fruit sweetener can be used in recipes that require caramelization, but it may not caramelize in the same way that sugar does.
Can monk fruit sweetener be used in homemade jams and preserves?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener can be used to sweeten homemade jams and preserves instead of sugar. It will provide sweetness without adding extra calories.
Does monk fruit sweetener have a glycemic index?
Monk fruit sweetener has a glycemic index of zero, meaning it does not raise blood sugar levels.
Can monk fruit sweetener be used in raw desserts?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener can be used in raw desserts to add sweetness without the need for cooking or baking.
Is monk fruit sweetener suitable for people with gluten intolerance?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener is gluten-free and can be safely consumed by people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Can monk fruit sweetener be used in homemade salad dressings?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener can be used to sweeten homemade salad
Is monk fruit sweetener suitable for people following a ketogenic diet?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener is suitable for those on a ketogenic diet as it does not contain any carbohydrates or sugars that could affect ketosis.
Can monk fruit sweetener be used in beverages other than tea and coffee?
Absolutely! Monk fruit sweetener can be used in various beverages like smoothies, cocktails, and flavored water to add sweetness without the extra calories.
Does monk fruit sweetener affect blood sugar levels?
No, monk fruit sweetener does not affect blood sugar levels as it has a glycemic index of zero. It's a suitable option for those monitoring their blood sugar.
Is monk fruit sweetener safe for pregnant women?
Monk fruit sweetener is generally considered safe for pregnant women, but it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
Can monk fruit sweetener be used in homemade granola bars?
Yes, monk fruit sweetener can be used in homemade granola bars to provide sweetness without the added sugar. It's a healthier option for snacks.
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