5 Natural & Safe Sugar Alternatives for Baking

20 month old Baby and I love baking together. I used to avoid baking because I thought it just meant creating sugary, less-than-healthy treats for our family, but now I love using these natural sugar alternatives to create healthy baked goods that we all enjoy.
Here are the top 5 ways that I naturally sweeten our baking recipes and avoid using sugar or artificial sweeteners:
1. Honey
The benefits:- Honey has vitamins: B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and certain amino acids.
- Honey has minerals: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc.
- Honey contains antioxidants and is cholesterol and fat-free.
- Honey's sugars are gradually absorbed into the bloodstream which results in better digestion.
2. Unsweetened Applesauce
The benefits:- Applesauce contains dietary fiber which keeps your digestive system moving regularly.
- Applesauce can contain as much as 80% of your daily vitamin C needs.
- Applesauce lightens the caloric density of baked goods.
3. Cinnamon
The benefits:- Cinnamon lowers cholesterol.
- Cinnamon reduces blood sugar levels.
- Cinnamon protects against heart disease.
4. Vanilla Extract
The benefits:- Vanilla helps to prevent memory loss.
- Vanilla balances the secretion or hormones.
- It reduces inflammation and hyperactivity in the major body systems.
5. Coconut Oil
The benefits:- Coconut oil increases immunity.
- Coconut oil speeds up your metabolism.
- Coconut oil is antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial.
For examples of recipes containing these natural sugar alternatives, please see:An Easy, Healthy, Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
A Veggie Muffin Recipe for Toddlers
Baby’s 1st Birthday Party Recap: Ideas, Recipes & Pictures
For more information on healthy baking alternatives, visit Healthy Child, Healthy World.
This post is linked up at The Tuesday Baby Link Up, Natural Living Monday, and the Living Well Blog Hop.