What could be more pleasing than the taste of fresh baked goods, warm from the oven? Certainly not the blood-sugar spike that follows — which is why Food Network Kitchen is on a quest for better baking. The first step: Replacing refined sugar — the culprit in many easily avoidable illnesses — with natural sweeteners like apricots, dates and other fruits. What makes fruit such a good candidate? The fiber content, which slows digestion, so your body won’t succumb to the dreaded "sugar crash." See how it’s done with these six homemade desserts and drinks enhanced with natural sweetening agents. There's never been a better reason to toss out your refined sugar.

There are only 6 grams of sugar in each of these little muffins, and all of it comes from the fruit and milk — there's no added or refined sugar!

This homemade lemonade is tart, refreshing and completely free of refined sugar — all the sweetness comes from the apples and lemons themselves. You can also try a pink lemonade version by juicing your favorite red-skinned apple instead of the Golden Delicious.

This silky frosting relies on all of the natural sweetness in dates and cream. The recipe makes enough to frost 12 cupcakes or one small cake.