This simple natural coffee 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!
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.
Using an even 1:1 stevia to sugar ratio, I was once again able to enjoy guilt-free morning coffee, iced coffee made with delicious cold brew coffee concentrate, and afternoon tea, too.
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?
Natural Coffee Sweetener
Equipment
- pint glass jar with lid
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- 1 cup organic stevia powder
Instructions
- Combine cane sugar and stevia in a jar.
- Screw on lid and shake well to combine. Makes 2 cups.
Notes
Nutrition
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Eliza Cross is the creator of Happy Simple Living, where she shares ideas to help busy people simplify cooking, gardening, holidays, home, and money. She is also the award-winning author of 17 cookbooks, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon.
Where do you purchase the organic sugar and stevia?
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
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.
Do you think you could use Stevia crystals instead of the powder?
Absolutely, Susan! Great question. xo
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
Carol, thanks for letting me know that this post was helpful to you. I agree with your view about straight stevia! xo
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.
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
AND they cancelled ZING also. Very very upset
I hear you! Why do they always stop making the good stuff??! ~Eliza
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
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
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?