Oatmeal Raisin Cookies With Stevia

I picked up some SweetLeaf the other day at the store and looked online for a recipe. I wanted an oatmeal raisin cookie but didn’t like the ones I saw so I made my own.

Stevia is a more concentrated sweetener so you don’t need much. Beware of recipes calling for large quantities of it because it can have an aftertaste. One cookie recipe I found online called for two cups and then the author mentioned how she didn’t like the aftertaste. I’m thinking perhaps she didn’t realize you don’t use cup for cup amounts of this stuff. It may vary but the brand I bought said that two tablespoons was equal to a cup of sugar.

I bought mine at a health food store but later discovered Wal-Mart carries it too so it’s getting more and more common these days.

My kids loved them but a nice addition would be pecans or walnuts if you don’t have picky people who will eat nuts. I’d add about half a cup.

From what I’ve read diabetics can use Stevia but please check with your doctor before trying it. I’m not a physician and know very little about diabetes so please take precautions.

I’ve given changes in the recipe if you are a diabetic because I used real maple syrup in mine.

Diabetic alterations:

Substitute-

1-cup milk for the maple syrup. Eliminate powdered milk.

Add one teaspoon maple flavoring.

If you can’t have raisins they can be eliminated.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

¼ cup powdered Stevia sweetener

1 cup shortening or butter

¼ cup powdered milk

1-cup real maple syrup (Don’t use fake syrup or you defeat the purpose of using Stevia.)

1-teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon lemon juice

4 cups quick cooking oats

1 ¾ cups whole-wheat flour (You can use all purpose flour if you want.)

1-teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon salt

1-cup raisins

Heat oven to 375° Fahrenheit. Mix Stevia, shortening, maple syrup, powdered milk, lemon juice, baking soda, salt and vanilla until well blended.

Add flour and oats, then stir in raisins.

Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls spacing about 3 inches apart. Flatten cookies a little with your hands.

Bake until golden brown about 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling racks.