Smart holiday treats with stevia, sucralose & a little help from polydextrose
The holiday season is filled with joy, warmth… and a little too much sugar. Cakes, cookies, puddings, and festive drinks all tend to come with a heavy spoonful of sweetness. But cutting back on sugar doesn’t mean sacrificing taste. In fact, today’s sweetener solutions can help you create the same indulgent experience without the unnecessary sugar load.
Why Stevia & Sucralose?
- Stevia: A natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant. It’s intensely sweet, heat-stable, and works beautifully in beverages, dairy desserts, and even baked goods.
- Sucralose: A no-calorie sweetener that tastes remarkably close to sugar. It performs well in baking, making it a great sugar replacement in traditional holiday favorites.
Many people still associate “sugar substitutes” with an aftertaste or being “unhealthy.” That reputation is outdated. Today’s solutions are safe, well-studied, and widely approved making them a smart way to enjoy sweetness with fewer risks.
A Perfect Partner: Polydextrose
Sweeteners often work best in combination. Polydextrose not only provides bulk and texture where sugar is reduced, but also supports digestive wellbeing. Think of it as the secret teammate that helps recipes feel just right balancing taste, texture, and functionality.
🍮 Grandma’s Secret Don’t Tell Anyone
Bring a little love to the table with this sugar-light holiday pudding. It’s cozy, chocolatey, and feels just like something grandma would make only lighter. Perfect for sharing, made for four.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| – 2 cups (500 ml) skim milk – 3 tbsp cocoa powder – 2 tbsp cornstarch – 3 tsp sucralose (sugar replacement) – 1 tbsp polydextrose (for texture & creaminess) – 1 tsp vanilla extract – A pinch of salt | 1. In a saucepan, whisk together cocoa, cornstarch, sucralose, polydextrose, and salt. 2. Slowly add milk while stirring to avoid lumps. 3. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens (about 5–7 minutes). 4. Remove from heat, add vanilla, and stir with love. 5. Pour into 4 small serving dishes, let cool in the fridge for at least 1 hour. |
💡 Holiday Tip: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dollop of whipped cream on top because the season deserves a little extra love.
Make This Holiday Season Sweeter (Without the Sugar)
Consumers are ready for better options, and the demand for reduced-sugar products is only growing. Whether it’s festive baked goods, dairy treats, or seasonal beverages, stevia, sucralose, and polydextrose offer the tools to keep sweetness high and sugar low.
👉 Want to learn how these ingredients could work in your next project?
Let’s talk we’d be happy to share more insights, samples, and application ideas.