sugar substitute equivalent to 1½ cups sugar

Stevia is a natural, non-caloric sweetener derived from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, a perennial plant native to Paraguay and Brazil. The sweetening compounds, primarily stevioside and rebaudioside A, are extracted and refined from the plant material. Stevia is approximately 250–300 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar), making it highly potent in small quantities. It contains no carbohydrates and has been used traditionally in South America for centuries, gaining widespread commercial adoption in the 21st century. Modern stevia products are available in various forms, from whole dried leaves to highly purified extracts, with varying degrees of processing and sweetness intensity depending on the extraction method and which glycosides are isolated.

For a 1½ cup sugar equivalent, approximately ½ to 1 teaspoon of pure stevia extract is needed, though this varies significantly by product concentration and brand formulation.

Stevia is employed as a direct sweetener in beverages, baked goods, desserts, and preserves, though it requires reformulation in applications where sugar provides bulk and texture. In professional kitchens, stevia is combined with other sweeteners or bulking agents to replicate the mouthfeel and browning properties of sugar. It is particularly valued in low-calorie, diabetic-friendly, and ketogenic recipes. Stevia pairs well with citrus, vanilla, and mint flavors but can impart a slight licorice or herbal aftertaste in some formulations, which varies by product purity. Home bakers often use stevia blends that include maltodextrin or erythritol to approximate sugar's functional properties in volume-dependent recipes.