The keto diet is based on a complete rejection of heavy carbohydrates and sugars. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy great keto baked recipes while losing weight on a low-carb diet. In fact, everything is very simple. First, replace wheat flour with any kind of keto flour, then replace sugar and honey with any keto sweetener, and you will get delicious pastries.
Keto muffins, low-carb brownies in a cup, delicious cakes, and cookies are available to you. However, sometimes the texture of the dough requires not only a sweet taste but also the crumbly properties of sugar for the correct consistency. And some recipes are based on brown sugar, which gives them a special aroma and delicate taste. So how to replace brown sugar on keto? What is keto-friendly sugar?
You actually have delicious brown sugar alternatives for keto. Using them, you will get delicious baked recipes that will not differ from the usual high-carb food. You can buy ready-made keto brown sugar substitutes or make your own with very simple and quick recipes.
So how to replace brown sugar on keto? How do you choose a good keto sugar substitute, and how do you prepare it at home? I will give you all the details, and you will be surprised by how simple it can be. Stay tuned to find out more about no carbs in brown sugar!
What Do You Need Brown Sugar For?
Many people refer to brown sugar as unrefined cane sugar. During the refining process, molasses appears, and it is a brown by-product of cane sugar. Brown sugar is similar to regular granulated sugar, but its surface is covered with a small amount of molasses. Initially, brown sugar is not completely refined sugar. Still, now most manufacturers interfere with the most common granulated sugar and molasses, or granulated sugar and a natural dye with which many drinks are colored.
Keto Mug Brownie: 5 Quick and Easy Recipes
However, when baked, brown sugar provides a distinct caramel flavor and a beautiful golden color. In addition, the presence of molasses, which is also a sugar extract, adds even more tenderness and moisture to the pastry.
Types of brown sugar:
- Demerara – golden brown sugar. It can be either natural sugar or refined white sugar mixed with molasses. Therefore, you should carefully read what is written on the label.
- Muscovado is natural sugar, but it is made with different amounts of molasses. The more molasses in sugar, the darker its color. It is sticky and has a caramel flavor.
- Turbinado can be distinguished by its large crystals, the color of which differs from golden to brown. During the production of this sugar, it is partially purified from molasses using steam and water.
- Soft molasses sugar is also called black Barbados sugar. It is unrefined raw cane sugar with a high amount of molasses. It is soft and moist. Due to the abundance of molasses, it has a very dark color and a strong aroma.
So, we have figured out that brown sugar gives the pastry a delicate aroma and beautiful color. It is most commonly used in apple and cinnamon tarts, muffins, chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread, various sauces, and syrups. So, let’s discuss delicious keto alternatives to brown sugar.
Keto Brown Sugar Alternatives
You can purchase ready-made brown sweeteners and use them during baking. Erythritol and monk fruit are generally considered the best ingredients for keto brown sugar substitutes. Here are a few of my favorite no-carb sweeteners:
- BakeGood Brown Sweetener 1-to-1 Substitute for Brown Sugar. Erythritol and Stevia. Light nutty flavor. No aftertaste, browns like sugar.
- Lakanto Brown Monk Fruit Sweetener – Brown Sugar Substitute. Erythritol and monk fruit. Tastes, bakes, and cooks like sugar.
- Sukrin Gold – Natural Brown Sugar Alternative. Erythritol and Stevia. Aroma, sweetness, flavor, and texture of brown sugar with zero calories per serving.
- Anthony’s Erythritol and Monk Fruit Sweetener Golden. Erythritol and monk fruit. Sweet caramel flavor and no calories.
These options are great for any keto pastry, sauces, and syrups. Erythritol crystals have the same structure as sugar. Therefore they provide the necessary properties to the dough. You can also make keto brown sugar alternatives yourself using simple recipes.
Keto Brown Sugar Recipes
I always use erythritol for the base because it has a structure similar to sugar and the same properties when baked. In fact, the recipe for keto brown sugar is very simple. You just need to mix erythritol with one of the flavorings of your choice.
You can use the cocoa powder by adding one teaspoon to one glass of erythritol. Stir well and let this mixture sit for a couple of hours. This keto brown sugar is great for baking any kind of chocolate dessert. For example, sprinkling this brown sugar on a chocolate chip cookie will create a sweet, crisp crust.
I also use cinnamon a lot, adding one tablespoon to one cup of erythritol. Stir the mixture well and place it in an air-tight container. This keto sugar option is ideal for cinnamon tarts, apple pies, and muffins. Sprinkle a layer of erythritol and cinnamon on top of the dough for a fragrant crisp.
How to Calculate Net Carbs on Keto? Everything You Need to Know to Do It Right
You can also get delicious and flavorful caramel keto brown sugar with sugar-free syrup (keto maple syrup). What’s more, the syrup will help you get dry or moist brown sugar suitable for various baked recipes. Many keto maple syrups are zero calories and have a delicate flavor. I usually choose Lakanto Sugar-Free Maple Syrup or RxSugar Delicious Plant-Based Organic Pancake Syrup.
The preparation is very simple. Add a few drops to one cup of erythritol, mix thoroughly and store in an air-tight container. Vary the amount of maple syrup for a drier or moister syrup. This option is versatile for all baked recipes, giving it a crisp crust and tender caramel flavor.
Conclusion
As you can see, you don’t need to skip baking while on a keto diet. You can enjoy your favorite desserts by making keto brown sugar at home or by purchasing pre-made zero carbs. However, I want to remind you that you should not eat too many keto baked goods, even if they fit into your daily carbohydrate limit.
How to Keep a Healthy Weight after Keto?
Sweeteners and keto desserts provoke sugar cravings. It can be dangerous to overeat them and get excess calories, especially losing weight while on a keto diet. Instead, balance your diet with green leafy vegetables and keep your keto healthy!
