5 Delicious Bread Recipes Made with Stevia Sweetener

Stevia, a natural sweetener extracted from the leaves of the plant Stevia rebaudiana, has gained popularity as a healthier alternative to traditional sugars. Unlike refined sugars, stevia contains zero calories and does not raise blood glucose levels, making it an excellent choice for diabetics, those watching their weight, or anyone looking to reduce their sugar intake without sacrificing the sweet flavors in their diet. In this article, we will explore five delicious bread recipes that incorporate stevia to keep the baked goods sweet and enjoyable.

The Appeal of Stevia in Baking

Baking with stevia offers several benefits:

• Low Glycemic Index: Stevia does not spike blood sugar levels, ideal for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.
• Calorie-Free: Great for those on a diet, stevia adds sweetness without the extra calories.
• No Impact on Tooth Decay: Unlike sugar, stevia does not contribute to tooth decay.

Here are five tasty bread recipes that utilize stevia as a sweetening agent, offering a healthier twist on classic baked goods:

1. Stevia Sweet Banana Bread

Banana bread is a beloved comfort food that’s easy to make even sweeter with stevia.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas with stevia, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
3. In another bowl, sift together the flours, baking soda, and salt. Add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. If desired, sprinkle nuts or chocolate chips on top.
5. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

🍌 Note: If the bananas are very ripe, you might need less stevia for sweetness. Adjust to your taste preference.

2. Stevia Lemon Bread

Enjoy the refreshing zing of lemon with a sweet touch from stevia.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¹⁄₄ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¹⁄₄ cup stevia powder (or to taste)
• 2 tbsp lemon zest
• ¹⁄₂ cup milk
• ¹⁄₄ cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 egg
• Juice from 1 lemon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan.
2. Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, stevia, and lemon zest.
3. In another bowl, mix milk, melted butter, egg, and lemon juice.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
5. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

🍋 Note: Lemon zest intensifies the lemon flavor; adjust to your preference for sweetness.

3. Cinnamon Swirl Stevia Bread

Add a sweet and spicy twist to your bread with cinnamon and stevia.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ¹⁄₂ tsp salt
• ¹⁄₄ cup stevia powder (or to taste)
• 1 cup milk
• ¹⁄₄ cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp stevia for the swirl

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and stevia. Stir in milk, melted butter, and egg until well blended.
3. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and stevia for the swirl.
4. Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter, then add the remaining batter.
5. Swirl with a knife and bake for 50-60 minutes.

☕ Note: For an extra depth of flavor, you can replace some of the milk with strong brewed coffee.

4. Stevia Sweet Cornbread

This cornbread recipe is a delightful mix of sweet and savory, perfect for any meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ¹⁄₂ tsp salt
• ¹⁄₄ cup stevia powder (or to taste)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ¹⁄₄ cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
2. Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and stevia in a bowl.
3. Add buttermilk, melted butter, and egg, mixing until combined.
4. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden on top.

5. Chocolate Chip Stevia Bread

Chocolate lovers rejoice! This bread is sweet, rich, and full of chocolate goodness.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¹⁄₄ tsp baking soda
• ¹⁄₄ tsp salt
• ¹⁄₄ cup stevia powder (or to taste)
• ¹⁄₂ cup milk
• ¹⁄₄ cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¹⁄₂ cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and stevia.
3. In another bowl, mix milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir into the dry ingredients until just combined.
4. Fold in chocolate chips.
5. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes.

Key Takeaways from Baking with Stevia

From the above recipes, we can draw several key insights:

• Stevia can be a fantastic sugar substitute in baking, keeping the treats low in calories and suitable for various dietary needs.
• The taste profile of stevia might require slight adjustments in other ingredients, like lemon zest or nuts, to balance flavors.
• It’s versatile enough to be used in both sweet and savory breads, making it a go-to ingredient for health-conscious bakers.

In summary, incorporating stevia into your baking routine not only helps manage dietary restrictions but also introduces a world of flavor without compromising on sweetness. Each of these recipes can be tailored to personal taste, and the use of stevia allows for a guilt-free indulgence in homemade bread that's both delicious and nutritious.