Blueberry Cupcakes + Xylitol Giveaway!

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Ever heard of Xylitol? I had not either until I had the opportunity to meet one of the folks behind Xyloburst at a recent workshop. Her company distributes many products made with Xylitol, an all natural low calorie sugar substitute. They make several products such as mints, gum, fruit sours and so much more. She was kind enough to send me a sample of their various products for me to use and try in my recipes. 

What is Xylitol? (taken from their website)

A healthy, natural alternative to sugar, xylitol is a natural white crystalline sweetener that looks and tastes just like sugar. It has the same sweetness as sugar yet has 40% fewer calories, 75% fewer carbohydrates and none of the negative effects of sugar. Xylitol also lacks the health concerns associated with artificial sweeteners. It has a low glycemic index of 7 and has minimal effects on blood sugar.

Over 20 years worth of clinical studies confirms that xylitol is the best sweetener for teeth. Clasified as a carbohydrate, xylitol has been used as a food ingredient for decades. Unlike foods with high amounts of starch and sugar, xylitol may reduce the risk of dental caries (U.S. FDA 21 CFR §101.80).

On food labels xylitol is classified as a carbohydrate. Chemically speaking, it is a member of the polyol family of sweeteners and not actually sugar. Xylitol differs from other polyol sweeteners like sorbitol, mannitol and maltitol, and also sugar (sucrose), in the fact that it does not display any of the negative insulin release effects as sugar.

One of the products sent was the variety of gum. I just now noticed the blue pack is upside down in the picture and I'd retake it, but I've chewed this pack already. Good flavor, not overly strong and I don't feel like I'm chewing a lump of sugar either. 

My other favorite (and it's hard to pick just any one) are the mints. I always keep some sort of breath mint on me since I'm constantly talking to people at work or at church. I loved these. I think I like the lemon one the best since I drink lots of lemonade and even hot lemon water. I can't get enough lemon!!!

So now that I knew about Xylitol and all the benefits of this all-natural product, it was time to put it to the test. It is the perfect substitute to sugar in all your recipes. If your recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar, then use 1 cup of Xylitol. It substitutes 1 to 1 so no complicated math!!

Adapted from Always With Butter

Ingredients (yield 24 cupcakes)

3 1/4 cups flour

1 1/4 cup Xylitol
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
6 Tablespoons butter, melted 
1/4 cup olive oil
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup 1% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line two muffin tins with cupcake liners. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Set aside.

In separate bowl, whisk together butter and oil. Add in eggs, then buttermilk, vanilla and almond extracts. Mix into flour mixture, stirring until just combined.

Gently fold in blueberries.

Spoon into cupcake liners and bake for 20-25 minutes.

When done, allow cupcakes to cool on a wire rack.

Ingredients for Honey Buttercream:
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened

1/3 cup honey

4-5 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
dash of milk

Add all ingredients to a stand mixer, and mix until combined. If you do not have a stand mixer you can mix them by hand, but it will take longer. Once the cupcakes are cooled, frost them by hand or use a piping bag. I added red sprinkles, extra blueberries and an American flag to make my dessert 4th of July festive!!

Hubby loved these. It was only after he ate two or three that I told him I used the Xylitol rather then regular white sugar. He was impressed and so was I. You would never know these were not made with real sugar since the taste and texture was the same. The Xylitol is an amazing substitute and there are 40% fewer calories then regular sugar so I guess you can call these my "diet cupcakes."

Want to learn more?

Check out Xyloburst's website and learn all about their products, their history and why this sugar substitute is the BOMB!! Right now, you can receive 25% off your purchase by using the code "SUMMER2013."

Like them on Facebook. Get updates and information as it happens.

Follow Xyloburst on Twitter. 

See even more recipes and information on their Pinterest page. 

Win It

Thanks to Xyloburst, one of my lucky readers will receive a $50 giftcard to their site. How great is that? There are so many products to choose from too!!! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway runs from June 23, 2013 through midnight July 7, 2013 and is open to US Residents 18 years or older. Rules are noted on the Rafflecopter form. Good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway