Formulate baked products with honey

• Honey's exceptional sweetness profile is evident in its widespread use in bakery foods, from breads and bagels to cakes and cookies. As a natural ingredient, honey allows bakers to attain an exceptional flavor profile with a “clean label” sweetener. According to research conducted by the National Honey Board, 94 percent of both honey users and non-users give honey an “all natural” rating. Honey is about 25 percent sweeter than sugar or sucrose, and can replace sweeteners, such as sugar and high fructose corn syrup, in most bakery food formulas. Call The National Honey Board at 303/776-2337. www.honey.com

Bake without sugar

• Cargill introduces SweetDesign® Bakery Sweetener System for sugar-free baking. It offers a convenient 1 for 1 sugar replacement in most applications. SweetDesign® delivers the same great flavor and texture as products baked with actual sugar, but contains less than half of the calories. Call Cargill Food Systems at 952/742-4693. www.cargill.com

Offer a better sugar for coffee

• Sugar in the Raw Premium Hawaiian Turbinado Sugar from Sugar Foods Agency is made using 100% pure Hawaiian cane sugar. The processing allows sugar crystals to retain the naturally-occuring molasses. The flavor is sweet and rich, and the color is natural amber. Sugar in the Raw's fuller, more natural flavor brings out the best in every cup of coffee and is the perfect complement to cappuccino creations. Call Cumberland Packing Corp. at 503/274-9536. www.sugarintheraw.com

Extend shelf life, improve product quality

• When used as a sweetener in baked products, honey both holds and contributes moisture, eliminates dryness, enhances texture and increases shelf life. Groeb Farms' honey and molasses are available in organic forms. Honey varieties include white clover, extra light amber clover, light amber wildflower, orange blossom, tupelo and amber buckwheat. All Groeb Farms honey is 100 percent tested and approved in order to guarantee the supply of only the highest quality, pure honey to the baking industry. Call Groeb Farms Inc. at 517/467-2065. www.groebfarms.com

Sweetener for low-calorie items

• SPLENDA® now offers its No Calorie Sweetener Granulated for bakeries. The popular sweetener allows for low-calorie offerings because it provides a significant reduction in the calories and carbohydrates compared to pure sugar. The sweetener now is available in 5-lb. or 25-lb. resealable bags for ease of use for any size job. Call Diamond Crystal Brands at 800/654-5115. www.splendafoodservice.com