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Homemade Sweetener Recipe

This simple homemade sweetener recipe is a copycat version of a now-discontinued sweetener called Sun Crystals. Sun Crystals sweetener was a blend of stevia and pure cane sugar.

I loved Sun Crystals! Sun Crystals tasted great in my morning coffee, but didn’t give me that spikey-blood-sugar feeling or make me feel guilty about using a chemical sweetener. Sun Crystals changed my life!

Sun Crystals at Happy Simple Living blog

So naturally, they stopped making Sun Crystals.

For a while, I bought bags of Sun Crystals on eBay, even though they were advertised as “rare” and thus, worthy of increasingly bigger bids. A bag that was once $7 started at $30 and went up from there. But soon even the contraband Sun Crystals were gone, really gone–extinct like beta VCRs and tan M & Ms.

Then the proverbial light bulb (an LED, of course) went off. Why couldn’t I make my own Sun Crystals?

And so I set out on a quest to somehow recreate the magical formula of Sun Crystals. I purchased powdered organic stevia and organic cane sugar and began tinkering. After moments and moments of painstaking trial and error, I cracked the secret code and was once again able to enjoy guilt-free morning coffee and afternoon tea.

A jar of homemade sweetener with a cup of coffee in the background.

During the process I learned that my beloved Sun Crystals probably hadn’t been all that healthy after all, since the mixture contained maltodextrin—an additive that is usually derived chemically from GMO feed corn. I guess the word “natural” on the bag should have tipped me off!

Since many of my friends have commented on the jar of white powder I keep on the counter, I’m going to share my Top Secret recipe. It will take you less than one minute to make. Are you ready?

Happy Simple Homemade Sun Crystalz Recipe

  • 1 cup organic cane sugar
  • 1 cup organic stevia powder

Directions: Combine cane sugar and stevia in a jar:

Homemade stevia sweetener

Shake well to combine. Makes 2 cups.

About Eliza Cross

Eliza Cross is the author of 17 books, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon. She shares ideas to simplify cooking, gardening, time and money. She is also the owner of Cross Media, Inc. and founder of the BENSA Bacon Lovers Society.

32 thoughts on “Homemade Sweetener Recipe”

  1. Still giggling. Love your “secret recipe” and will probably have to try it soon — iced tea season is coming! I use a variety of sweeteners from sugar to honey to stevia. I usually grow my own stevia and steep the leaves with various homegrown or wildcrafted herbs to make a nice tea. I’ve heard that powdered stevia can be bitter. I take it you’re not finding that? Or does cutting it with sugar help eliminate that? It’s something I don’t notice with the full leaves. Thanks for tinkering.

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  2. Dear Kim,
    I have never thought of growing my own stevia, but I love that idea! You’re right, that mixing the sugar and stevia powder seems to offset the slight bitterness of the stevia. I love that you make your own tea from homegrown herbs, too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
    xo

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  3. Can’t wait to try it – will not do the artificial sweeteners but don’t like stevia aftertaste – this could be the answer! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    • I hope you like it, Carolyn, and you could always adjust the ratio of sugar to stevia to suit your taste buds.
      xo

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  4. I’ve always been suspicious of artificial sweeteners (most of them give me awful headaches.) Stevia is intriguing, particularly since I can grow it in my garden. I like the half and half mix, hope to give this a try this summer.

    Stump Grinding Granby, CT

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  5. Specifically for coffee and tea, I prefer demerara sugar…However, I’ve never considered growing Stevia, thanks for the idea.

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    • Mac and Em,

      Here’s an article from Mother Earth News, all about how to grow your own stevia:
      http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/herbs/stevia-plant-zm0z13fmzkin

      xo,
      Eliza

      Reply
  6. It truly upset me when they stopped making Sun Crystals. I don’t know why it never dawned on me to try making it myself… BLOODY BRILLIANT IDEA!!! I assume the usage is roughly the same… 1/4 to 1/2 tsp for every 1 tsp of regular sugar?
    Kudos!

    Reply
    • Yes, I find that I don’t need quite as much of the mix as regular sugar – probably because the stevia is more concentrated. Glad you like the idea! 🙂

      Reply
  7. I have one packet of Sun Crystals left and have been hording it! And mine did not have the maloidextrin in it so will be glad to make my own. Would Whole Foods carry the organic sugar and Stevia or do you order it?

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    • Yes, my Whole Foods carries both products in the baking department. I buy the organic sugar and stevia from my local King Soopers. Good luck!

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  8. Thank you for working up the ratio on the sweetner.
    I still have a 50 pack box of Sun Crystals that I keep in the trailer for the odd camping trip or getaway but have been useing a product from TJ’s which is cut Stevia.
    I grow the Stevia here at home but am not a tea drinker so mostly combine it with other herbs/mints to make a relaxing tonic in a chewable form.
    Thanks again.
    I’ll be checking in soon.
    Mino Jones

    Reply
  9. I loved Sun Crystals also. And I went to ebay the same as you, and bought it there. Now, I can’t buy them anywhere. So I really appreciate your recipe for making my own. Do you know the calorie content of yours, or carb amount? With diabetes its helpful to know these things. Thanks so much.

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  10. I am looking for the combination of Nature’s Family Sun Crystals natural sweetener using only raw cane sugar and erythritol. it has 4 calories per serving and so far, it’s the best one I’ve found. I do not like the after taste of stevia. I found it on a website a year or so ago and cannot locate the ratio of it now. thanks for your help. A

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  11. I like to use Domino Light which is a blend of sugar and Stevia, but it’s becoming hard to find in the grocery store. Thank you for this. I knew I could combine the sugar and stevia but didn’t know about how much to use when baking with it.

    Reply
  12. I had never tried the Suncrystals but instead I have really enjoyed the
    Dominos Light sugar in my coffee for several years now. It became hard for me to find and then I reazlied that Dominos was no longer making it. I was tickled to see your post because I was wondering how to just make my own. Thanks for sharing your “secret” recipe.

    Reply
  13. Thanks for sharing! I’ve been using a sugar/stevia blend for years that unfortunately isn’t sold anymore. I decided to google before trying out my own ratios and found your blog. 🙂
    A few days ago I bought a huge package of “Stevia in the Raw”. Guess what? Maltodextrin!!! Ah!! I’ll guess I’ll pay more attention next time around. Years ago when I was shopping for straight Stevia, I remember pretty much all of them having some sort of additive.. I was in a hurry this time and didn’t pay attention/compare.
    What kind of Stevia do you buy?

    Reply
  14. Yes, I used to use Sun Crystals as well (still have a few packs left and use it sparingly). What kind of Stevia do you use? I bought a highly concentrated Stevia last year that only uses a teeny tiny amount (like 1/50th of a tsp) from a health food place (no fillers either) but it is wonderful and I cannot figure out what the ratio would be to use that and sugar. It is the best organic stevia I have ever found. And a bag of 1 lb will last a long time (like well over a year). Any suggestions as to ratio??? Thanks. Carol

    Reply
    • Carol and Ashley,

      I buy pure stevia at Vitamin Cottage. I’ve found that some stevia brands and batches have a slightly bitter aftertaste and I have to experiment sometimes with the exact ratio of stevia to cane sugar to get the right taste. Your brand sounds awesome, Carol – where did you buy it? xo

      Reply
  15. Domino Light was discontinued and Domino tells me that they recommend another alternative to it. It’s called Zing but is a bit more expensive than the old Domino Light which my diabetic husband really liked (he’s very picky with his sweeteners). It would be good to have a recipe that is similar to the Domino Light, but I’m not sure what type of Stevia to buy. It comes in varying strengths and brands. Guess it’s time to experiment. Your recipe is a good starting point.

    Reply
    • Hi, Judy — I’ve never heard of Zing, but I’m going to check it out. I have found that I have to experiment sometimes with the exact ratio of stevia to cane sugar to get the right taste. Good luck and thanks for dropping by! xo

      Reply
  16. I just found one packet of sun crystals and remembered how much I loved it. Went on line to find where to buy and came across your post. Thank you. I will try it. I don’t like straight stevia. Thanks

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  17. my last bag of sun crystals had only pure cane sugar and stevia listed as the ingredients. am so sad it was discontinued but will try your recipe now.

    Reply
    • Ann, I buy the sugar at Trader Joe’s and the stevia at Whole Foods. I think Natural Grocers has both items as well. Good luck! xo

      Reply

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