Baking with Splenda?

[Tina]

How many of you have cut your calories by baking with Splenda? I've been using it for some time now for sweetening my iced tea, but I haven't actually baked with it yet. I've been eyeballing a couple of Key Lime pie/cheesecake recipes that are made with Splenda, but haven't made it yet. What have you made and how did it turn out? Did you use straight Splenda or the baking blend sold separately?

 

[Pooh67_68]

I made banana bread with Splenda and it turned out real dry, and did not taste very good. I would recommend the Splenda/sugar blend.
If you decide to use just Splenda, they recommend mixing a little longer than what the recipe calls for.

 

[gallaj0]

I've used it (the straight Splenda) for a cheesecake, and it came out wonderful. That's really the only baking I've done with it, but I'd be willing to try it for anything, and see how it comes out before going to the half&half Splenda.

 

[Jiminy102]

If you use strait Splenda your recipe My not turn out well. I have used the baking blend in My own recipes and it has been really good!!! I took a toll house chocolate chip recipe and used the baking mix as well as others. I make a cooie with dried fruit and the splenda baking mix and the family loves them.

 

[pearlieq]

I do a lot of cooking with Splenda and it's great. I usually use a 75% Splenda to 25% sugar blend, just so I get the nice browning and rising. Items I bake with Splenda only tend to be pale and don't rise as much.

A few tips:

1.) Don't spend your money on the baking blend. It's very expensive, and it is much cheaper just to buy the Splenda and sugar and blend it yourself!

2.) Use just a bit (1-2 tablespoons) extra moisture. Applesauce works well, or you can use extra oil/shortening.

3.) Do not overmix your Splenda creations--this will make it dry and crumbly.

4.) It's fine to use 100% Splenda in cheesecakes, custards, and pies. You won't need the sugar to achieve browing or raising in those types of recipies

 

[Tina]

thanks everyone!! I think I'll try that Key Lime recipe this weekend.

 

[Laura]

Great thread! DH bought a bunch of Splenda at Sam's Club, and he hasn't used much of it. He tried to bake a cake with straight Splenda and it sucked. I'll tell him to try again with these tips!

 

[disneyworld!]

I use slender in my banana bread and it comes out awesome! never dry on mine!! this is the only thing I used it in...oh what a mintue, I did use it in apple crisp!

 

[minniecarousel]

I just bought the "Splenda cookbook" from Costco. I will try some of the recipes and post how they turned out. I, too, have used it in an apple crisp and several cheesecakes. All of those turned out fine.