XYLITOL?

Hi gang....we just now (last minute of course) figured out what we are doing for Thanksgiving....We are staying local and I would like to make a dessert that is sugar free but does not taste like it.....i have seen the posts about the Natures crystals, etc.....I of course see too that most of these types of items have to be mail ordered.....I stopped in this Nature Store around me, and they have xylitol available to purchse.....it appears to be crystal like.  I did not know if anyone has any experience with this item and could shed some light on it.....or if anyone knows where I can pick up a sugar substitute product to use for a cake or pie or cookie recipe, please let me know!  Thanks in advance!

Jackie

Jackie,

Yes, I've used Xylitol and it works pretty much like maltitol (nature sweet).  I've not tried caramelizing with it, but for baking, it's just fine.  I'll be testing it out with my cashew brittle recipe tomorrow, so will let you know about caramelizing :-).

Just so you know - when I order from netrition.com, I always get my order the next day (4.95 flat rate shipping).  So it's very convenient!

I've also used splenda granulated (NOT splenda for cooking, which has sugar) in baking, and have been satisfied with the results.  The key for baking is that you need to add an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce to balance the "drying" effect of the splenda.  

Enjoy!
Karen

Karen,
     Thanks so much for your quick reply.....I was thinking about making a cheesecake or the pumpkin roll cake posted on here and bariatriceating.com.  I believe that calls for whey low but I did see that you could use the nature crystals too....I know it is my fault with being so last minute that is why I scoped out the health food store as I have not really baked with anything other then splenda myself.....thanks for the info!  I might just have to place an order too from netrition as there are some other things I was eyeing up.....Please let me know how you like the xylitol also!

Thanks again!

Jackie

Oh - I can't believe I also forgot to mention Diabetisweet!  it's really good, as well - excellent for baking, caramelizes just like sugar, and you don't have to add applesauce like you do with splenda.  SOME people (not many) do detect an aftertaste with it.  I don't and I like it a lot for cooking.

I believe someone said you could find it at Walmart.  Some Wegmans carry it as well.  I've also ordered it through my local pharmacy and gotten it through Netrition.  It comes in white and brown sugar.

Enjoy!
Karen

I get the Diabetisweet at Target in the Pharmacy section, with the diabetic supplies :)

speaking of cashew brittle.. was that recipe handed out on Saturday? I don't think I got it. Can you post it ?  It was yummy!!   I can make it for synagogue and have a piece and confuse the hell out of everyone!

I made 3 sugar free desserts yesterday.

Pumpkin Pie

Peanut Butter Pie

Strawberry Cheese Cake

All were used with splenda. And all turned out great. (I taste tested everything!) To be honest, I can't/won't spend the money it costs for those fancy sugars online. Paying for Splenda kills me and it's half the price. So I only use recipies that will work well with splenda.

So I personally know nothing about XYLITOL, just putting my 2 cents in about a more affordable way to make a dessert. Good luck!

P.S. The recipies I used are from bariatriceating.com. I always use thier receipies and there are a ton of dessert ones.

Thanks so much for sharing your input too....did you get the peanut butter pie and pumpkin pie from bariatriceating.com?

Yes, all 3 were from there.

I'm so proud lol