Sugary Sweet Emergency Recipe Substitutions or Ingredient Equivalents for Sugars and Molasses and The Molasses Health Benefits

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

It’s a treat baking sweets, but running out of a crucial recipe ingredient can really gum up the works. Knowing an ingredient’s “equivalent” or substitution can save the day. Many cake and cookie recipes can be adapted by using modern sweeteners if you don’t have ingredients called for in vintage cookbooks or grandma’s desert recipe. Today, Mom helps cooks in the kitchen with tips on granulated, brown, powdered sugars, and molasses.
Granulated Sugar – Most sugar is made from sugar cane or sugar beets. The plants are juiced, the liquid is boiled several times to separate out the molasses and the remaining clear liquid is crystallized into the familiar white granules on our tables. If you don’t have 1 cup granulated sugar use 1 cup packed brown sugar OR instead of 1 cup granulated sugar use 2 cups powdered sugar.
You can also substitute sweet syrups for granulated sugars, but you’ll need to remove some of the liquid in your recipe to maintain the correct moisture level. If you are baking it helps to add a leavening agent like baking soda. If you don’t have the soda and you are not baking, then you can probably leave it out and still be ok. But this may effect texture and cooking times, so keep a closer eye on your creation.
If you don’t have 1 cup granulated sugar use 1 cup honey + 1/4 tsp soda and reduce the liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup. Honey is sweeter than granulated sugar. Or, instead of 1 cup granulated sugar use 1 1/2 cups molasses plus 1/4 tsp baking soda and reduce the liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup. 1 pound (package) granulated sugar = about 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar.
Powdered Sugar – Superfine or powdered sugar is granulated sugar that has been spun into a powder. Used for a slightly smoother texture especially in frostings and fluffy meringues. When measuring you’ll need slightly more powdered to make up for its fine grain. If you don’t have 2 cups powdered sugar use 1 cup granulated. 1 pound (package) of powdered sugar = about 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, unsifted (not packed).
Confectioner’s Sugar – Confectioners sugar has been processed past the powdered sugar phase, into an even finer powder. Today the terms are used interchangeably, so check your packaging.
Brown Sugar – Brown sugar or sugar in the raw, has slightly more brown syrup, or molasses than white granulated sugar and is slightly less sweet. As a result, brown sugar has a smokier flavor and darker color. Golden brown sugar has less molasses than dark brown sugar. The two can be used interchangeably, but note the darker sugar will have a richer flavor and color and is generally better if you’re cooking pork.
If you don’t have brown sugar use granulated sugar instead using the exact same measurements. You can also make brown sugar by combining 1 cup sugar with 1/2 cup molasses, but this may throw off the liquid in your recipe, so be careful using this substitution when baking cakes.
Brown sugar will remain soft if it is kept in an airtight container. To soften brown sugar place it in an ovenproof container and warm at 250 degrees until soft, or microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time until soft. Use it immediately as it will be harder than before when it cools! A 1 pound package of brown sugar equals about 2 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar.
Molasses – Molasses has a dark, sweet, smoky taste. It is created during the sugar refining process. Molasses is slightly less sweet than granulated sugar. Until sugar prices fell in the 1930′s molasses was the primary sweetener in American kitchens. Sulphur dioxide is sometimes used to make molasses sweet. The term ‘unsulphured molasses’ just means sulphur was not used in the creation of your molasses and it should be the lightest and sweetest type. Measuring molasses is easier (and more accurate) if you grease the measuring cup first with a little cooking spray or butter. One 12 fluid ounce jar of molasses equals 1 1/2 cups. One cup equals 8 fluid ounces.
If you are making a vintage recipe I heartily recommend you spring for a jar of molasses. Molasses is the secret ingredient in many cookies, cakes, ham glazes and BBQ sauces. Granulated sugars will not taste the same. If you have a jar left over, you can use molasses in baked beans, ham, oatmeal, ice cream or added to syrup and butter on pancakes. One tablespoon of molasses provides 8% of your daily recommended iron and 4% of your calcium!
One cup of molasses equals1 cup honey. Bear in mind honey is sweeter than molasses and will change the flavor slightly. OR instead of 1 cup of molasses try 3/4 cup granulated sugar (brown is preferable) plus 1/4 cup water. The extra water (or other liquid) is called for to make up for the moisture in molasses. It is important to replace it if you’re baking cakes or breads. Blackstrap molasses is the thickest, darkest and least sweet type of molasses and isn’t recommended for baking.
Sugar Baking Tip: Baking relies on a bit more science than your average frosting recipe. Not only do the ingredients add flavor, they may also serve a specific function like making your cake rise, or binding ingredients together. For best results when baking, measure all your ingredients accurately; like leveling off your measuring cup with the edge of a knife and setting the cup on the counter when measuring liquids. When you resort to a substitution just be aware that your texture or flavor may be slightly different. For more of Mom’s kitchen tips and apron humor visit her on the web at http://www.MomsRetro.com. Good luck and happy cooking!

Molasses is the juice is boiled to concentration which promotes the crystallization of the sugar, made by extracting from the canes, usually by crushing or mashing, after the sugar cane plant is harvested and stripped of its leaves. The concentration of this first boiling and of the sugar crystals is first molasses, which has the highest sugar content.
Blackstrap molasses is the third boiling of the sugar syrup with of sucrose from the original juice has been crystallized and removed.

Nutrients

4. Calcium
5. Potassium
6. Chloride
7. Manganese
8. Selenium
9. Copper
10. Iron
11. Magnesium
12. Potassium
13. Etc.

Health benefits
A. Health benefits according to studies
1. Antioxidant
In the investigation of raw cane sugar, plant saps/syrups (eg, maple syrup, agave nectar), molasses, honey, and fruit sugars (eg, date sugar) and the total antioxidant content of natural sweeteners found that ark and blackstrap molasses had the highest FRAP (4.6 to 4.9 mmol/100 g), while maple syrup, brown sugar, and honey showed intermediate antioxidant capacity (0.2 to 0.7 mmol FRAP/100 g). Based on an average intake of 130 g/day refined sugars and the antioxidant activity measured in typical diets, substituting alternative sweeteners could increase antioxidant intake an average of 2.6 mmol/day, similar to the amount found in a serving of berries or nuts, according to “Total antioxidant content of alternatives to refined sugar” by Phillips KM, Carlsen MH, Blomhoff R.(a)

2. Vibrio furnissii M1
In the observation of “Production of alternatives to fuel oil from organic waste by the alkane-producing bacterium, found that Crude blackstrap molasses were also converted into alkanes with a conversion ratio of 20% (half of that in an authentic sucrose medium) of the total carbon consumption, according to “Production of alternatives to fuel oil from organic waste by the alkane-producing bacterium, Vibrio furnissii M1” by Park MO, Heguri K, Hirata K, Miyamoto K.(b)

3. Microbial production
In the observation of microbial production of fermentation of blackstrap molasses
found that A two-stage fermentation process was developed for the conversion of sugar or molasses of various types to propionic acid and vitamin B12. By fermentation of blackstrap molasses (from sugar beet and sugar cane) in the first fermentation stage 17.7 g propionic acid l-1 with a yield of 0.5 g propionic acid g-1 carbohydrate was produced with a dilution rate of 0.25 h-1. In the second stage 49 mg vitamin B12 1-1 was produced at a dilution rate of 0.03 h-1.(c)

4. Etc.

B. Health benefits according to concentration
1. Manganese
Beside it is important in forming connective tissues and building of essential enzymes for building healthy bones, manganese also helps in regulating the normal function of of thyroid growth hormone, according to the study of “The effect of manganese supply on thyroid hormone metabolism in the offspring of manganese-depleted dams” by Eder K, Kralik A, Kirchgessner M., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8971361) and blood sugar level, according to the study of “Manganese corroles prevent intracellular nitration and subsequent death of insulin-producing cells” by Okun Z, Kupershmidt L, Amit T, Mandel S, Bar-Am O, Youdim MB, Gross Z., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19715343)

2. Copper and Iron
Copper plays a role in a wide range of physiological processes, such as iron utilization of enhancing the hemoglobin. and reduction of malabsorption syndrome. according to the study of “Beneficial effect of goat milk on nutritive utilization of iron and copper in malabsorption syndrome” by Barrionuevo M, Alferez MJ, Lopez AI, Sanz SM, Campos MS., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11949871). Iron is an integral component of hemoglobin in transporting oxygen from the lungs to all body cells, thus increasing the energy use for daily activities.

3. Calcium
In the investigation of micronutrients, calcium (Ca) and inorganic (i) phosphate (P) ,the two main constituents of hydroxyapatite and theirs effect on bone health found that they are endowed with a transport system that accumulates Pi inside the matrix vesicles, followed by the influx of Ca ions. This process leads to the formation of hydroxyapatite crystal and its subsequent association with the organic matrix collagen fibrils. In addition to this structural role, both Ca and Pi positively influence the activity of bone-forming and bone-resorbing cells. Pi plays a role in the maturation of osteocytes, the most abundant cells in bone. Osteocytes are implicated in bone mineralization and systemic Pi homeostasis, according to “Calcium and phosphate: a duet of ions playing for bone health” by Bonjour JP.(1)

4. Potassium
Potassium beside is important in maintaining the regular contraction and relaxation of the muscle, that helps to reducing the risk of hypokalemia, it also helps the lymphatic system in regulating the levels of fluid in the body, thus lessening the risk of lymphedema, swelling caused by the accumulation of lymph fluid. In a study of “Narrative review: evolving concepts in potassium homeostasis and hypokalemia” by Greenlee M, Wingo CS, McDonough AA, Youn JH, Kone BC., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19414841), researchers found that recent experimental insights into the participation of feedback and feedforward control mechanisms in potassium homeostasis. New data make clear that feedforward homeostatic responses activate when decreased potassium intake is sensed, even when plasma potassium concentration is still within the normal range and before frank hypokalemia ensues, in addition to the classic feedback activation of renal potassium conservation when plasma potassium concentration decreases.

5. Etc.

C. Other health benefits

Since blackstrap molassaes contains high amount of calcium, it helps to build stronger, denser bones early in life and keeps bones strong and healthy later in life, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium, according to the article of “Calcium supplements in people with osteoporosi” by John G F Cleland, Klaus Witte, Sue Steel, posted in BMJ (http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c3856.full), researchers wrote that Calcium supplements, given alone, improve bone mineral density,but they are ineffective in reducing the risk of fractures and might even increase risk.

No serious side effects are unknown.

Chinese Secrets to Fatty Liver and Obesity Reversal
Research based & Scientifically proven Efficacy To Treat Fatty Liver Diseases & Achieve Optimal Health & Loose Weight Recommended by Kyle J. Norton

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer

For the world most healthy foods lists, visit http://healthy-foods-index.blogspot.com/2011/03/healthy-foods-list.html,
For other health articles, please visit http://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.ca