Holiday Health Tip #8


Occasionally I trim fat and calories from a recipe by substituting applesauce in oil-based baked goods, like quick breads, muffins and some cakes.  There is only a slight change in taste and texture (typically sweeter and softer).

I'm told that  applesauce is not a great substitute for butter, and will lead to disaster in cookies and any other treat with a crispy snap--unless you like cake-y, mushy cookies.

Most sources recommend a 1:1 swap:  if the recipe calls for 1 cup of oil, substitute with 1 cup of applesauce. However, I say, "start easy!"  For a recipe that uses one cup of oil, use ½ cup of oil with ½ cup applesauce. If the finished product makes you happy, slightly increase the ratio of applesauce (2/3 applesauce: 1/3 oil; ¾ applesauce: ¼ oil) the next time to see how it affects the cake or muffin recipe. You may be able to do without oil completely, or you might find that as little as 1 or 2 tbsp. of oil added to the applesauce is ideal.

3 comments:

  1. I bake the smake way Rebecca. I find that using applesauce has yet to make my baked goods dry or crumbly. On the contrary...they are quite delicious.

    I also use unsweetened applesauce that I make myself.

    many blessings to your day dear friend,

    maria

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  2. I have never thought of this and I make muffins all the time....I am going to try this Rebecca, thank you.....:-) Hugs

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