Better-for-You Treats Are Only One Ingredient Away

As a lifelong baker, I’ve always been a big fan of using top-quality ingredients. I’ve been spotted many times pushing a grocery cart loaded with dark chocolate, whipping cream, and all the other yummy things that are the beginnings of decadent desserts. Over the past year, however, I’ve had to learn a few new baking tricks, since my husband found out his cholesterol numbers were in the danger zone. I felt a little guilty – was it all the cookies, squares, and cakes I’ve made (and he’s willingly consumed) over the years? Perhaps it was the heaping spoonful of sugar I reluctantly agreed to add to his mug of tea each morning? Whatever the cause, things had to change - and fast.

Part of the solution was to put my husband (and the rest of the family) on a reduced-sugar diet. The good news: they didn’t even notice! My secret weapon was Lantic & Rogers' Smart Sweetener Blend made with Sugar + Stevia. Having done a little research, I learned that this blend was specifically designed for baking, although it’s proven to be a great multi-purpose sweetener in our house. Best of all, you use just half the amount compared to regular sugar, so you’re instantly cutting calories in half without sacrificing on sweetness.

Happily, when I tried my first few recipes with this new blend, I was thrilled to discover that all my family’s favourite baked goods tasted just as delicious as when made with regular sugar, plus, they rose beautifully, were moist, and achieved the desired golden brown hue. I didn’t tell anyone about the sweetener switcheroo, and no one commented because everything tasted so good. The crowning moment came when, after about a month, I admitted to my husband that I’d been adding less than half teaspoon of the Sugar + Stevia Blend to his beloved morning tea – and he confessed that he hadn’t even noticed the difference.

In addition to cutting back on sugar, my husband made a few other lifestyle changes and his cholesterol numbers improved. The kids are pretty happy now too, since our always-filled cookie jar has been returned to its natural state. It is a huge relief to not feel guilty about my insatiable zest for baking and I’m having loads of fun playing around with old and new recipes. Next up, I’m keen to try Lantic & Rogers' Organic Coconut Sugar which was recently voted winner in the sugar category by consumers in the 2017 Product of the Year Awards. Coconut sugar is a great substitute, flavour-wise, for brown or cane sugar, plus it has a much lower glycemic index than sugar. Just like the Sugar + Stevia Blend, coconut sugar bakes and sweetens like normal but with no artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, or chemicals.

One of the recipes I use the Sugar + Stevia Blend in is this lovely spiced pear loaf. It has quickly become a new family favourite and seems to have magical properties, given how swiftly it disappears each time I make it. It’s a delicious, easy to prepare quick bread that offers a great way to use up overripe pears. It also freezes beautifully if you want to make it ahead for a brunch or picnic.

Spiced Pear Loaf

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup Lantic & Rogers' Sugar+Stevia Blend
1 egg
1 packed cup pear purée, about 1 1/2 - 2 ripe pears (see note about pears below)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp freshly ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts; optional)

Note about pears: There's no need to peel the pears; simply cut in half, remove the cores, stems and blossom ends, then puree in a food processor or blender.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a small (8.5 x 4.5 inches) loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and Sugar+Stevia Blend until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until smooth.
3. Add the pear purée, both flours, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
4. Stir in the nuts, if using, then spoon the batter into the pan, spreading so it’s even.
5. Bake for 45 - 50 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
6. Remove the pan from the oven, place it on a wire rack, and let cool for 15 minutes. Aftet the 15 minutes have passed, remove from pan and let cool completely. Slice and serve.

Notes:

• Loaf can be wrapped tightly and stored at room temperature for 4 days. You can also freeze the loaf for up to 3 months; it’s a great idea to slice it before freezing so you can just pull out a piece or two at a time, whenever you want a healthy sweet treat.
• You can download a coupon from save.ca to save on your purchase of Lantic & Rogers Sugar+Stevia Blend or coconut sugar.
• Form more recipes using the Sugar+Stevia Blend or coconut sugar, visit the Lantic website.