Baking with coconut flour and almond flour

Orangeteddy

Well-Known Member
Messages
111
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
I used to be keen on home baking and still am but since going low carb and trying out new recipes, to be honest I'm fed up with the waste and the taste.

I have spent a lot of time trying to find recipes that actually give the weight of ingredients rather than just saying cups (or fractions thereof). I have looked at numerous websites for conversions from cups to grams/oz and not only does it differ between ingredients, it differs for the same ingredients depending which conversion site you use.

I have discovered the use of xantham gum - for holding mixtures together - and contacted the makers to find out about it's use with coconut or almond lour - and they could not give me anything beyond guestimates.

Next up - baking powder - or is it baking soda? Then there's arrowroot and cream of tarter - all of which now sit in my cupboard looking as lost and bewildered as I am. I've only accumulated them from trying recipes that include them.

Sweetener - after much trial of Stevia the rest is now in the bin. It does not bake well and leaves a nasty after taste. You have to calculate how much to use as it's not a like for like swap for sugar. However I found Total Sweet Xylitol which is a like for like swap for sugar and tastes very similar to it. I contacted Total Sweet as they have a number of recipes on their website and they mention diabetes on their website too - but none of their recipes use coconut flour or almond flour and I was keen to see if they might -
Thanks very much for your email and interest in Total Sweet.
I'm not an expert on diabetes, but I know coconut flour and almond flour are high in fat compared to standard flour, so are not always the answer.
Either way, there are two recipes on our website that don't use flour. These aren't necessarily good for diabetics and, as mentioned above, are high in fat, but I hope they're of interest....

Meanwhile back in the Orangeteddy kitchen, another batch of coconut flour cookies have exited the oven - falling apart as the texture is still all wrong. I have gone through enough eggs to keep a small farm in business. Coconut flour recipes need LOTS of eggs with them.

But hubby ( who has been really supportive of the low carb thing and has also completely joined in with it) is missing proper cake - so he made one this morning using ordinary flour (just 4oz) and the Total Sweet - and the taste and texture was really good. I tested my blood before and after a slice - an increase of 1.5

I have had success with making pancakes and waffles - and also the fathead pizza dough using almond flour which seems well suited to savoury recipes.

I'm keen to find some British baking recipes using coconut flour and also almond flour. I have researched this quite extensively but can't afford the waste. I'm looking for any cake or biscuit recipes that people here have had success with, using coconut and/or almond flour importantly with ingredients in grams/oz?

many thanks
 

Guzzler

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The American cups measurements go by volume not by weight. You can get a cheap plastic set of measuring cups at supermarkets.
 
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SueJB

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cold weather
I used to be keen on home baking and still am but since going low carb and trying out new recipes, to be honest I'm fed up with the waste and the taste.

I have spent a lot of time trying to find recipes that actually give the weight of ingredients rather than just saying cups (or fractions thereof). I have looked at numerous websites for conversions from cups to grams/oz and not only does it differ between ingredients, it differs for the same ingredients depending which conversion site you use.

I have discovered the use of xantham gum - for holding mixtures together - and contacted the makers to find out about it's use with coconut or almond lour - and they could not give me anything beyond guestimates.

Next up - baking powder - or is it baking soda? Then there's arrowroot and cream of tarter - all of which now sit in my cupboard looking as lost and bewildered as I am. I've only accumulated them from trying recipes that include them.

Sweetener - after much trial of Stevia the rest is now in the bin. It does not bake well and leaves a nasty after taste. You have to calculate how much to use as it's not a like for like swap for sugar. However I found Total Sweet Xylitol which is a like for like swap for sugar and tastes very similar to it. I contacted Total Sweet as they have a number of recipes on their website and they mention diabetes on their website too - but none of their recipes use coconut flour or almond flour and I was keen to see if they might -
Thanks very much for your email and interest in Total Sweet.
I'm not an expert on diabetes, but I know coconut flour and almond flour are high in fat compared to standard flour, so are not always the answer.
Either way, there are two recipes on our website that don't use flour. These aren't necessarily good for diabetics and, as mentioned above, are high in fat, but I hope they're of interest....

Meanwhile back in the Orangeteddy kitchen, another batch of coconut flour cookies have exited the oven - falling apart as the texture is still all wrong. I have gone through enough eggs to keep a small farm in business. Coconut flour recipes need LOTS of eggs with them.

But hubby ( who has been really supportive of the low carb thing and has also completely joined in with it) is missing proper cake - so he made one this morning using ordinary flour (just 4oz) and the Total Sweet - and the taste and texture was really good. I tested my blood before and after a slice - an increase of 1.5

I have had success with making pancakes and waffles - and also the fathead pizza dough using almond flour which seems well suited to savoury recipes.

I'm keen to find some British baking recipes using coconut flour and also almond flour. I have researched this quite extensively but can't afford the waste. I'm looking for any cake or biscuit recipes that people here have had success with, using coconut and/or almond flour importantly with ingredients in grams/oz?

many thanks
Hi Orangeteddy, I've just been trawling the internet and then was about to post a plea for the exact same things as you... recipes with the 2 types of "flour" except I'm after some savoury ones too. I also got fed up with cup measure so just went and and bought some. I'm started to build up the same sort of silly ingredients that you think you'll need and then don't. I've got too much coconut flour, it was on offer, and find that a lot of savoury recipes call for almond. I've got a good recipe for naan but haven't begun to explore the world of cakes yet, I'm starting small with biscuits and working my way up. Like you I just love baking... well on food. Good luck and do post anything that works. I will too. Sorry I can't be or any practical support.:happy:
 

Orangeteddy

Well-Known Member
Messages
111
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
A cheap set of measuring cups may not be the same as those in the recipes which is why I would like to see some recipes in grams/oz. I shall look out for some though - I still have another unopened pack of coconut flour to use up.
 

Orangeteddy

Well-Known Member
Messages
111
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Hi Orangeteddy, I've just been trawling the internet and then was about to post a plea for the exact same things as you... recipes with the 2 types of "flour" except I'm after some savoury ones too. I also got fed up with cup measure so just went and and bought some. I'm started to build up the same sort of silly ingredients that you think you'll need and then don't. I've got too much coconut flour, it was on offer, and find that a lot of savoury recipes call for almond. I've got a good recipe for naan but haven't begun to explore the world of cakes yet, I'm starting small with biscuits and working my way up. Like you I just love baking... well on food. Good luck and do post anything that works. I will too. Sorry I can't be or any practical support.:happy:

Thanks Sue. I'm missing being able to bake reliably - and whilst not everything came out perfect before, at least it was edible!
 

xfieldok

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Messages
4,182
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Before diagnosis I often made Clementine cake, recipe on Nigella Lawson's site. I have got some erythritol to replace the sugar but I have not tried it yet.

She also has a chocolate cloud cake, I made it years ago, I don't know if the recipe can be adapted. I know the cake lasted about 10 minutes.
 
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1
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I get discouraged on baking too. and I cannot have almond flour. I made a cake once with and got real bad cramps. wish there was some recipes that taste good. Lol
 
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Pinkorchid

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Type of diabetes
Type 2
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I tried coconut flour pancakes followed a recipe to the letter and the amount of liquid was nowhere near enough it soaks up fluid like a sponge when I finally got something that resembled batter and cooked it it just fell apart and the taste was horrid. I don't like almond flour that has odd sort of taste that does not seem right for cakes and things No more baking for me trying to make substitutes for the real thing just does not work for me
 
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SueJB

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3,323
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cold weather
I tried coconut flour pancakes followed a recipe to the letter and the amount of liquid was nowhere near enough it soaks up fluid like a sponge when I finally got something that resembled batter and cooked it it just fell apart and the taste was horrid. I don't like almond flour that has odd sort of taste that does not seem right for cakes and things No more baking for me trying to make substitutes for the real thing just does not work for me
I'm going to keep trying. I like the odd cake but really I'm more a savoury person
 
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Goonergal

Master
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Erythritol works for me, although I am not a great baker. No after taste and bakes well.
 
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Rachox

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1B9A8DE1-FC41-441F-B0FE-CC40ABC4BC34.jpeg
Here’s a couple I’ve tried and tested:
Carrot cake with cream cheese topping, tastes as good as a high carb one and freezes well:
https://www.ditchthecarbs.com/low-carb-carrot-cake/
This chocolate slow cooker cake is in cups, but by some laborious Googling I converted it, see attached pic:
https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/low-carb-slow-cooker-chocolate-cake/
I used Splenda as the sweetener in both of these and ground almonds instead of flour as they’re cheaper.
 
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eggs11

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Messages
638
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
This book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vegetarian-Low-Carb-Diet-weightloss-vegetarians/dp/074992649X has a great recipe in for nut muffins, with a chocolate variation, that I've made several times now and like - the recipe uses ground almonds not almond flour so the texture is heavier and denser and more crumbly than a regular muffin - she recommends xylitol as the sweetener. She also has a low-carb brownie recipe and almond lemon cake recipe, also using ground almonds - but I haven't tried these out yet.

edited to add - it's a uk book, measurements are in g and oz
 

bulkbiker

BANNED
Messages
19,569
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
The dietdoctor recipes do have a switch between metric and imperial measures although this sometimes looks a bit dodgy.
I just don't have bread or cakes much and to be honest don't miss them.
 
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nanabon

Member
Messages
20
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
This is a really nice pumpkin cake. You could substitute pureed butternut squash for the pumpkin if you can't source tinned pumpkin. It is American measurements so a cup is 8 oz by volume. I use a honey stevia blend instead of the maple syrup and its not bitter. I also add 1/2 teaspoon allspice, 1/2 t. cloves, 1/2 t. Ginger, and 1/4 t. Nutmeg in addition to the spice called for. It comes out very light and not crumbly at all and tastes very similar to ginger cake. Not sure why but it's the best baking experience so far. I usually use Truvia for sweetener but have to taste as I can't stand it if trying to use spoon for spoon like sugar. And most of the recipes I have call for way too much sweetener for my taste. If it calls for 1/4 cup i start with a scant tablespoon. Learning to bake with alternative flours and sweeteners has been a steep learning curve but it can be done =)

This comes from Dr Axe website
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup almond flour
¼ cup coconut flour
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
¾ cup pumpkin
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup melted coconut oil
3–4 eggs
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325 F.
Combine all wet ingredients in a bowl.
Combine all dry ingredients in another bowl.
Mix both bowls together until well incorporated.
Pour into greased loaf pan and bake for 45–60 minutes.
 
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shelley262

Expert
Messages
5,511
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Favourite low carb cake adapted from a Nigella recipe by @Goonergal and then a bit more adapted by me!
Pre heat oven to 150degrees fan oven
Use lined 9” cake tin
Ingredients
150ml of olive oil ( have also tried with advocado and coconut oil both work but prefer olive or half advocado half olive )
50g of chocolate 90% or above I use 100%
125mls of boiling water or coffee if you like I use a single espresso
150g of ground almonds
Half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
One pinch of salt
200grams of granulated sweetner I use erythritol which I prefer but xylitol can be used too
3 large eggs
Method
Melt choc - in microwave or in bowl above pan- make coffee or hot water put both on one side to cool
Measure oil and put on one side
Measure almonds, bicarbonate and salt and put in bowl to one side
In mixing bowl beat or whisk together the granulated sweetner with the eggs until turns into a pale primrose thickened cream.
Add oil next - beating as go
Mix coffee/water and melted choc and beat in to the mix
Finally add the almonds and mix till all combined

Put in tin and bake for 40-45 mins until sides are set - it will look a bit squidgy but don’t be tempted to overcook it goes dry.

You can sprinkle with granulated sweetner ground into an icing sugar using a coffee grinder.
Can be eaten warm or cold

Carb content whole cake is 18grams so if cut into 18ths is one gram a slice. It’s rich so not much is needed essential bit is to serve with double cream.
I personally have no probs with bloods after a small slice but feel like have eaten a very naughty pud.
Hope anyone who tries it enjoys I had some tonight delicious
 

Key_master_

Well-Known Member
Messages
223
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I’ve got some awesome recipes from diabetic good baking.com it’s someones baking blog. She uses mostly almond flour though. I went thru the coconut phase. Tried the pancakes, first time wasn’t enough liquid worked from the recipe, next time I went all chef on it and experimented till I got a batter by added way less flour. Cooked them, kept shape and stayed together, tasted horrid.

I had a good result making muffins and scones from coconut flour, take a lot of eggs though and are really heavy as I hadn’t had anything of the sort after switching to Bernstein’s approach they were edible and I kind of enjoyed them.

On to almond flour, or ground almonds as is cheaper, I’ve made some fantastic cakes with it. No added sugar red velvet, cream coating is to die for. I’ve even made a triple layered no added sugar Black Forest gateau for my birthday. Muffins actually rise now with this, never with the coconut flour. Savoury cheese scones come out lovely just don’t bake them too long. If you want the recipes I’ve got them on my it won’t diabeat us site here, just look under the sweet treats. https://itwontdiabeatus.wordpress.com/

Most of them I got from here and there’s plenty more I haven’t tried.

http://www.diabeticgoodbaking.com/?m=1

Happy baking everyone.. ;)
 
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SueJB

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3,323
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
cold weather
A cheap set of measuring cups may not be the same as those in the recipes which is why I would like to see some recipes in grams/oz. I shall look out for some though - I still have another unopened pack of coconut flour to use up.
Totally agree with the preference for weights but I've done some crackers with cups and that worked. just about to try some chapattis with cups and tbsps