To the surprise of many, erythritol has been around since the 1800’s. It is a great substitute for sugar. Erythritol is a type of carbohydrate called a sugar alcohol. You can even find it naturally in some foods, such as fermented wine, beer, and cheese. You can also find the manmade version in most grocery stores. Erythritol is commonly used in place of sugar because it has zero calories. It is also ideal for people with diabetes because it has no effect on glucose or insulin levels. Since it is a great substitute for sugar, it can be used the same way sugar is used. That means you can put it in your hot beverages or drinks and you can bake with it. When it comes to melting erythritol, there are various ways you can go about it. You can melt it in water, dissolve it in your baking mixture, or use heat to melt it.
The Stove Top Method of Melting Erythritol
What you will need
- Water
- Erythritol
- Pot/Pan
- Wooden Spoon Spatula
First, measure the amount of erythritol you need and place it in a saucepan with some water. It is important to note that when using erythritol as a sugar substitute, you must know that it is only 70% as sweet as sugar. Some may add a little bit of extra sugar to their mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil on low heat for 10 minutes or so, until the erythritol starts to boil. Remember to whisk the mixture for best results. Once the erythritol has melted, you can remove it from the heat and taste test it. You can also add a liquid sweetener for some extra sweetness. When the syrup is ready, pour it into a jar or any other storage container for cooling. You can then use the melted erythritol or store it in a cool, dry place for future use.
Make keto syrup
Another effective way to dissolve erythritol is by simply making a syrup. You will need the following:
- Distilled water
- Erythritol
- Xanthan Gum Powder
- Drops of Truvia or Stevia
- Pot/Pan
- Wooden Spoon/Spatula
Making erythritol syrup is similar to how you melt it on the stove with water. The only difference here is that you are using distilled water and other ingredients to make the simple syrup. First, measure your erythritol and pour it into a medium-sized pot or pan together with the distilled water. Add about 1/16 of a teaspoon of some xanthan gum powder into the mixture and whisk it well. Let the mixture heat up over medium to high heat and continue to whisk. You can add 5 or so Truvia sweet drops as the liquid boils in order to increase the sweetness. Just make sure you do not put too much in to prevent the liquid from tasting like Truvia. You will notice the mixture thickening up as it comes to a boil. This may be caused by xanthan gum powder. As the syrup forms, let it boil for a few more seconds, then remove the mixture from the stove. You can taste test it and add more sweet drops to get your desired results. Leave it to cool and then pour the mixture into a mason jar and shake well to remove any specks of xanthan gum. You now have your sugar-free melted erythritol syrup that lasts for a long time. Unlike the traditional syrup that is made with sugar and full of carbs, this syrup cuts the carbs by making use of erythritol. You can add this syrup to any keto cocktail or use it in other recipes. Store the syrup out on the shelf or in the refrigerator. As long as you keep the syrup in an airtight container, it can last for as long as you need it to. However, when you notice some kind of discoloration in the liquid, make sure that you throw it away.
Erythritol can be ground before use
Another clever way to melt erythritol is by simply grinding it and adding it to your baking ingredients. Since erythritol does not dissolve as well as sugar, one way to go about it is by grinding it into a powder. You can do this with a nut grinder. This is effective where a smooth texture is important. Using ground erythritol will help prevent it from crystallising. However, crystallisation usually occurs when you use too much erythritol. It may also happen overtime when you do not store it properly. When you use the powdered form of erythritol, that can be reduced.
Powdered erythritol is perfect for melting directly in your butter or when making low-carb chocolate bars at home. You can melt it directly when making your chocolate by adding it to your recipe the way you would add sugar. All you simply need to do is to add your powdered erythritol to the top pan of your double boiler to add sweetness to your chocolate with the rest of the ingredients. Whisk the mixture as the chocolate cooks and the erythritol will melt.
When melting your erythritol in butter, all you need to do is melt the butter in a small pot or pan and let it cook until it becomes golden brown. As you add the heavy cream, lower the heat a little bit. Add your erythritol to the mixture and let it cook for a bit so that it dissolves. Continue to stir the mixture for best results. You can even add some more ingredients, such as salt, if you want your caramel to be a bit salty. You can remove the mixture as it gets thicker and stickier. If by any chance you see the butter and cream separate, you can pour the mixture into a blender and blend it. When the caramel is done, you can let it cool for a bit of time and pour it into a container or a glass. Continue to stir the mixture even as it cools. You can use the caramel right away or store it in the fridge.