In yesterday’s post, I wrote my love letter to sugar.
But I’ve become a fan of stevia too. I don’t use much, but just a little now and then can really jazz up a dish. And it doesn’t seem to give me that awful crash-and-burn feeling I get from too much sugar .
(Above, using a bit of stevia in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Oatmeal)
Other ways to enjoy stevia:
Cook up a dessert-for-breakfast feast: Brownie Batter Pancakes
Or make a warm batch of Snickerdoodle cookies Snickerdoodle Oatmeal
And it works well in any of the following, too:
From the top:
Unlike some of the other brands on the market, NuNaturals stevia powder isn’t cut down with erythritol. (Truvia and PureVia contain more erythritol than actual stevia.) Therefore, you end up needing quite a bit less powder to achieve the same amount of sweetness. Also–and judging by the comments in my previous two posts, others seem to agree with me–I don’t think NuNaturals stevia has a strange aftertaste. Sometimes getting free samples from a company can be a very bad thing.
My wallet would be much happier if I’d never been introduced to the likes of Artisana butters or Vivapura cacao nibs or Epic Roots Mache.
And now Ron, of Nunaturals, introduced me to another fun find I never would’ve picked up on my own:
Alcohol-free Vanilla Stevia Drops
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Seriously, I never would have bought these because: They aren’t sold near me, they’re super-expensive, I wouldn’t have thought to buy them, and—oh yeah—did I mention they’re super-expensive? But the price is deceptive, because with these drops, a little goes a looooooong way. And the taste is divine; I go crazy for anything vanilla-flavored. .These drops work wonders…
Such as in: Five-Minute Chocolate Mousse.
Pumpkin Pie Soup/Salad Dressing
And, for a bitter-sweet taste, add a few drops to otherwise-unsweetened Choco-licious Chocolate Pudding
Admittedly I did not try all of the products that they sent. I didn’t use the baking blend, the no-carbs blend, nor the erythritol. And I wasn’t fond of the cacao bean extract. But the NuNaturals stevia powder is, in my opinion, one of the best out there. And as for those vanilla drops… well, if you can find them, I very much recommend buying a bottle. Yup, ladies and gentlemen, you heard this chocolate-covered girl correctly: Buy the vanilla! 
Oh, and many of you have been asking about the Vita-Mix giveaway:
Yes, it is over. Read the wrap-up post here.
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{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you not like the erythritol? That is what we have at work and I just started using it…
NuNaturals kindly sent me some NuStevia products to try and I agree with you! I have NEVER liked stevia. I tried, I REALLY tried, but blech – it was always too bitter. But, their NuStevia is not bitter at all. I love the convenience of the packets, too. A little does go a long way!!
Now, I have to try some of your amazing looking creations with it!!
I used to use stevia in my pumpkin oatmeal, but every grocery store in my region is OUT OF CANNED PUMPKIN! There was a shortage… boo! So, I guess I need to find new ways to use up what’s in my pantry. Your chocolate chip pancakes may just be it…
I haven’t tried the NuNaturals brand, so I’ll be on the lookout for it. I always use stevia in my oatmeal because it tastes so good!
I love this series that you’ve put together- lot’s of good insight for people navigating their way through the world of sweetener vs sugar-
Great work!
i’ve been wondering about that liquid stevia but haven’t ever seen it in stores! i’m all over those brownie pancakes and the better’n kozy shack oat pudding! i never had rice rudding until a couple of months ago when i was on a kozy shack kick
It wouldn’t be a proper visit to your blog Katie if I didn’t leave drooling! I can’t wait to go home next weekend so I can make s’more pancakes!
I still have yet to try stevia… but I am curious! As for not cutting it with erythritol, what do you think of the Stevia In the Raw brand? I think it’s 100% stevia…? Maybe it’s cheaper than NuNaturals. I’ll have to investigate…
Agreed on the simultaneous fortune and misfortune on free (but expensive when not free) goodies! my bank account hates me for my love of barney butter
You are reminding me yet again, that I didn’t win the VitaMix? Sob, sob, sob.
Mmm…whipped cream in a bowl. Katie, you’re makin’ me hungry and I have such a long time to go before lunch.
You are definitely right about not being able to find those nu-natural drops anywhere. Sucks that no one ships to Canada either. I will just have to live with your pics of the wonderful things you can make with them!
Oh, I know what you mean. I’ve boughten NuNaturals now 5 times since being sent samples. I also got suckered in to a full size Walnut Butter after my 2 scoop sampler from Artisana was gone. Those people are good at what they do
S’More Muffins? Holy yum! I’m soooo printing off the recipe as soon as I hit ‘submit comment’ !!!
Yum to all the tasty looking pictures. I like stevia too, but I don’t know that I can find it here.
your s’more muffin just made me shed a single tear drop… it’s a thing of beauty right thuur.
I have heard such great things about that brand, I have to try them.
I need to jump on the stevia bandwagon.. Ive never even tried it!!
Can I please eat your Snickerdoodle oatmeal?!?! YUMMM.
Happy Friday, Miss Katie
I LOVE nunatural products and they are so easy to bake with. I will have to agree that my wallet would be in such better shape if I have not been introduced to POM, PB and Co, Barney Butter, and other great products. The life of living healthy.
I’ve never tried NuNaturals, but I live Truvia and stevia. Everything up there looks SO good!!
Jenn
I use Sun Crystals in my coffee (mix of stevia and sugar) but from everything I hear I’d love to try some NuNaturals too since it sounds like a winner.
The NuNaturals sound like they would be a great addition to many dishes. I’ll have to keep an eye out for them. Your pictures are making me want oatmeal.
I swear when I win the lottery, I am hiring you to be my personal chef and I swear I will become vegan.
Have a great weekend!!
Seriously love the snickerdoodle oatmeal
looks amazing. making crave something snickderdoodle, now , ummm. got my thinking caps on. What can I make?!?!?! HAHA, you know we love our stevia! Though we have not tried NuNaturals before, we use sweet leaf powdered stevia, just got into liquid. I like both, I mix it up in recipes 
I want that smores cupcakes! Im thinking you should make a batch and then mail me say all of them because im snowed in over here
Just kidding! (sort of hehe!) I have yet to try anything from NuNaturals but I have been wanting to for the longest time. The cost of their products is what is keeping me mainly, but once i get some extra cash flow i might be making an online order.
I totally agree with the setbacks of getting free samples. I have become OBSESSED with so many PBs that now I just can’t afford to buy. Ah well, it’s better to have loved and lost then to never have loved at all, right?
Love the NuNaturals vanilla drops, but I wasn’t a big fan of their cocoa bean extract either. However, I do love the baking blend.
Oh my gosh, gotta make the oatmeal crepe cakes again. Loved loved loved that chew factor.
Happy weekend Katie!
There seems to be a lack of healthy food here…Any chance you could see if it works in sweetening up stirfries, fruit pies (I know, oh so healthy), or sticky rice (for sushi!)?
Anonymous,
Actually, it’s all healthy. Oatmeal? Pumpkin? Whole-wheat flour? All healthy
But in terms of veggie dishes, it definitely does work with stir fries. Try it in a coconut curry: so good!
I’ve never used any of the processed stevia products out there, but I have grown stevia and used it both fresh and dried. I use it more like the herb it is – in teas, fruit salads, and anywhere I want that herby sweet taste. Those vanilla drops do sound interesting though.
I enjoy your blog and all the recipes and I wanted you to know that you got included in my first ever Favorites Friday post. I’m looking forward to tryng out the couple recipes I mentioned.
http://rutabegasandotheradventures.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-ever-favorites-friday.html
You know it was interesting to hear, or more correctly read, your saying “try the vanilla” because although I have always been a committed choco-phile, I truly love vanilla things also. Vanilla AND chocolate are great together too. Not sure I will buy stevia because since going vegan I haven’t been eating much sugar (and a lot of the sugar I used to eat was in things like ice cream and milk chocolate), but I will keep it in mind.
I came across your blog the other day and I love it. Everything looks so delicious!
I should give stevia a chance. I’m always so alternative-sweetener phobic and it’s kept me from trying it!
I love that picture of Lucy with the VM
Where do you buy your Artisana products from (specifically the Cacao Bliss)? I’ve been wanting to try it but it’s always $15 + $10 for shipping and I’m like “ahhh so expensive”….
-Ashlei
I still can’t believe I’ve never tried Stevia. That’s almost embarrassing!
I’m a big fan of the blue dish you used in your first picture. Dishes make the meal (OK, not really, but they accentuate the positive).
I love stevia in my nightly tea. All of your recipes in this post look so good I don’t know where to start!
Actual stevia contains no erythritol whatsoever….and I noticed that someone commented wondering whether Stevia in the Raw is really 100% stevia. Well, at least from what I understand, it’s not. I guess they claim that their product is mixed with dextrose, but I have read that it is 95.8% table sugar. Either way, it is not 100% stevia. As consumers, we should understand in advertising, companies can legally state things that are not true, and many companies take advantage of that.
Personally, I use SweetLeaf brand. While most other brands use ethanol, methanol, solvents, alcohols in processing, which could change the taste of the stevia, SweetLeaf is the only one that uses onlt pure water during the entire extraction process.
Anyway, I guess I’m kind of rambling…that food looks absolutely delish!
Thanks Yoda! I did reply in an email to that question that yes, Stevia in the Raw contains dextrose. I’m unsure about the NuNaturals… it contains maltodextrin, so I’m not sure if that’s any better than the others, but “stevia” is their first ingredient, unlike the other brands. But honestly, I use so little that I don’t really worry about it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a well-thoughtou comment
Oh yum yum yum to that entire post! I totally agree with you Katie, those vanilla stevia drops from NuNaturals are to die for. My mom has them and I looove using them when I come home to visit!
so i know i’m super late in commenting on this… but i haven’t tried stevia. i heard it had a bad after taste???
however, i need a good sugar sub b/c sugar gives me the serious crash and burns… i basically just avoid it these days, especially in the afternoon, which means i miss out on lots of yummy sweet things.
i use “truvia” a little bit, but i feel like i dont know if i can cook with it, or if it’s just kind of a sprinkle a little on your oatmeal kind of a thing…
have you tried truvia? or do you have any thoughts on it?
I got some an order of stevia drops earlier this week, along with vanilla stevia and also some powdered stevia. I have the worst. sweet. tooth. ever and I went a bit crazy for the vanilla drops in my tea (on TOP of my normal sweetener). I ended up with the headache from hell but I was also coming down with a stomach bug as well so I’m going to have to go easy on them the next time I use them!!
I must have very sensitive tastebuds because I can pick out a fake sweetner in anything. Not a great gift! I have been searching for a good sugar substitute forever and haven’t found one yet. I have tried splenda, sun crystals, truvia, agave, etc… I have tried these in my coffee, in yogurt and oatmeal and hate the aftertaste of all of them except the agave (but it’s so carb heavy). Is the NuNatural Stevia and the vanilla drops really that much better? I would love to try the recipes here, they look amazing, but I’m afraid I will get that same bad aftertaste and not like it. Can anyone help??
You can always ask them (at Whole Foods) to let you try one packet, so you don’t have to waste your money buying a whole container if you don’t like it. They sell it in the vitamin dept.
Yeah, I checked the website and they are still offering the free samples. I’m gonna try those and hopefully be impressed
Thanks!
What do you think of honey as a sweetner?
Hi Katie! I love all of your recipes and can’t stop eating many of them! I was wondering, what if you are very sensitive to stevia? I had Zevia (a type of stevia sweetened cola) and had the worst stomachache of my life! Would agave nectar be an acceptable substitute?
I don’t have a problem with stevia, but I guess everyone is different! Then again, I don’t like zevia because I don’t like soda. I’m not sure what recipe you mean when you ask if you can sub agave… it depends on the recipe!
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