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Keto Cake Recipe: 18 Options to Celebrate Without Sabotaging Ketosis

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Does a delicious keto cake recipe really exist? Or do low-carb, low-sugar cakes only live in your dreams?

It may come as a surprise, but it is possible to include cake in your keto diet meal plan. How? By using healthy, keto-friendly ingredients instead of white flour and sugar. Keto cakes not only taste close to the carb-heavy treats you’re craving, but they’re just as easy to make. You can also check out our Keto Brownie Mix.

What Makes These Keto Cake Recipes Different?

Keto cake recipes still call for traditional baking staples including large eggs, baking soda, baking powder, and cocoa powder, but they swap high-carb ingredients like white flour and sugar to stay within low-carb keto macros.

These substitutions won’t affect the taste or texture of your cake and, more importantly, they won’t wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. This means you can enjoy these party cakes without worrying about going over your total carb daily values.

Below are the low-carb ingredients you’ll need for most of these keto cake recipes.

#1: Almond Flour or Coconut Flour

Almonds are one of the most popular nuts in a healthy diet. They deliver a wonderful amount of healthy fats (56g per cup) and important micronutrients like calcium, potassium, and magnesium[*].

Almonds, as well as coconuts, are both naturally gluten-free, which makes their flour not only lower in carbs, but also safe for anyone with gluten sensitivities.

Almond flour or almond meal has a similar texture to regular flour, so your cake recipes won’t end up with a cardboard-like consistency.

Though slightly higher in carbs than almond flour, coconut flour is packed with healthy medium-chain fatty acids, which play an important role in a keto diet.

#2: Stevia, Erythritol, and Monk Fruit

The three major sugar alternatives in any keto cake recipe are stevia, erythritol, and monk fruit.

Stevia has been shown to help[*][*][*]:

  • Fight cancer cell growth
  • Regulate blood sugar
  • Improve cholesterol

Erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol that doesn’t contain any calories and is safe for low-carb baking. You can find erythritol in both granulated sugar and confectioners powdered sugar form.

Monk fruit is another zero-calorie sugar substitute. It contains compounds that are just as sweet as cane sugar but without the calories or negative effects on blood glucose[*].

It’s been used throughout Asia as a sweetener for hundreds of years, and it’s now slowly gaining popularity in the U.S.

You can find monk fruit, erythritol, and stevia in the baking aisle of your grocery store or online at retailers such as Amazon and Thrive Market.

#3: Butter and Coconut Oil

When it comes to following a keto diet, the type of fat you consume makes a huge difference.

By choosing grass-fed butter, you’ll be adding important omega-3 essential fatty acids and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) to your diet, which can help prevent cardiovascular disease, combat inflammation, and improve your physical performance[*][*][*].

When it comes to coconut oil, this nature’s wonder contains over 85% medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs). These fatty acids are then processed by your metabolism and turned into a usable form of efficient energy.

And since these MCTs are not stored by your body, your cake indulgence won’t hang around your midsection the same way a high-carb cake would.

Coconut oil can also help with[*][*][*]:

  • Revving up your metabolism
  • Appetite suppression
  • Reducing your fat reserves
  • Keeping your gut healthy
  • Preventing UTIs and kidney infections

#4: Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is a low-carb alternative that is produced by fermenting specific carbohydrates. The result is a sugar-free binder and stabilizer that works well in pastries and every keto cake recipe on this list.

Xanthan gum is also a soluble fiber. This means your body doesn’t break it down, but simply ushers it out after it binds to water and slowly moves along your digestive tract.

#5: Homemade Frosting

Keeping away from store-bought frosting is key when it comes to baking any keto cake recipe. Store-bought frosting and icing is loaded with sugar and artificial chemicals, flavors, and preservatives.

The good news is that making your own low-carb frosting is incredibly easy.

The four most popular homemade keto frostings are:

  • Cream cheese frosting, which you can make with organic cream cheese.
  • Buttercream frosting, a great way to add more grass-fed butter to your meal plan.
  • Whipped topping, which is made with heavy cream, a keto sweetener (like Swerve), and a bit of vanilla extract.
  • Glaze, which you can make by mixing your sugar substitute with liquid and natural flavoring (like almond extract or fresh lemon) and drizzle over your keto cakes.

Pro Tips for This Keto Cake Recipe

If you’re new to baking and would like to give it a try, here are a few tips to get you started:

  • When it comes to picking your perfect keto cake recipe, look for one with high recipe ratings, comments, and pictures. Read through all the recipe notes before you begin, so that you know what to expect and prepare for.
  • Line your cake pans with non-stick parchment paper, and you’ll have an easier time getting the cake out when it’s done. Using a round cake springform pan will also do the trick.
  • Your eggs and butter should be taken out of the fridge and left at room temperature before using them.
  • Remember the secret to light, fluffy cakes is incorporating as much air as you can into the cake batter, so be sure to whip it up.
  • While you can use a whisk and your arm muscles to get the job done, a hand mixer will create stiff peaks of egg whites or whipped cream in literally half the time.
  • If you’re not sure your cake is baked, insert a toothpick: if it comes out clean, then your treat is ready to come out of the oven.
  • Use one large mixing bowl for dry ingredients and another for wet ingredients to make the mixing process easier.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cakes Every Time

Newbie keto bakers and those used to only baking cakes from a box, make sure to always:

Start with a good recipe that has several high recipe ratings, comments and pictures. Read through all the recipe notes before you begin so you know what to expect and prepare for.

Line your pans with non-stick parchment paper and you’ll have an easier time getting it out when it’s done. This also makes cleanup a piece of… you know.

Temp everything right. Wait 10 minutes after your oven preheats before putting your cake in to make sure it’s the right temperature. When it’s too low you may not get your cake to rise correctly.

Your eggs and butter should also be taken out of the fridge and left at room temperature before using them.

Whip it up! The secret to light, fluffy cakes is incorporating as much air as you can into the batter.

While you can use a whisk and your arm muscles to get the job done, a hand mixer will create stiff peaks of egg whites or whipped cream in literally half the time.

Now you’re ready to pick out a recipe.

18 Keto Cake Recipes for Any Occasion

The following cake recipes are keto versions of your old favorites. You can also check out a variety of mug cake recipes.

#1: Chocolate Buttercream Keto Birthday Cake

Keto vanilla birthday cake

With a total time of just 40 minutes — including prep time and baking time — you can have an almost-identical-to-the-real-thing chocolate buttercream keto birthday cake.

This low-carb cake is worth celebrating thanks to its MCT oil powder content and its 5 grams of net carbs per serving size. It makes for the perfect chocolaty and decadent birthday treat, minus the worry and carb count.

#2: Vanilla Gluten-Free Birthday Cake

Keto cake recipe: Gluten-free birthday cake

This vanilla gluten-free keto birthday cake uses only 10 ingredients.

With both almond flour and coconut flour, this three-layer cake has the same great flavor and texture of a traditional yellow cake.

Since all the ingredients are loaded with nutrients, including pecans on top, this cake is also satisfying and filling so you won’t be tempted to go for a second serving.

#3: Fudgy Flourless Keto Chocolate Cake

Fudgy flourless chocolate keto cake recipe

Flourless cakes are a great option for anyone on a keto diet.

This decadent yet airy gluten-free, sugar-free flourless chocolate cake requires only 7 ingredients. This recipe calls for sugar-free chocolate, so you’ll only have to spare 6 grams of net carbs for this silky slice of heaven.

#4: Low-Carb Keto Chocolate Cake

Chocolate keto cake recipe

If you’re looking for a simple low-carb chocolate cake recipe, look no further. This keto cake recipe is packed with healthy ingredients like zucchini and coconut oil, and topped with an impossible-to-resist chocolate frosting.

Each slice of cake contains only 96 calories and 2.7 grams of net carbs, so you won’t need to hold back.

#5: Keto Chocolate Zucchini Bundt

Chocolate keto bundt cake

This keto chocolate cake recipe lets you enjoy the moist, smooth, velvety texture you expect from a bundt cake minus all the carbs and sugar.

Even though it takes about one hour of cook time, its fudgy and decadent flavors are well worth the wait.

#6: Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake

Keto cake recipe: Lemon poppy seed bundt cake

This lemon poppy seed keto bundt easily satisfies your cravings for light and moist lemon cake.

Made with almond flour and drizzled with a lemon glaze, this yummy cake isn’t just naturally gluten-free but it only requires three ingredients to make.

#7: Vanilla Pound Cake

Keto cake recipe for pound cake

This ultra-moist keto pound cake recipe comes packed with great flavors and a healthy dose of collagen protein.

In this keto cake recipe, the collagen peptides are paired with MCTs, which help slow down the way your body processes protein and gives you extra energy and mental focus.

Looking at the nutrition facts, you’ll find a slice contains:

  • 2 grams of net carbs
  • 15 grams of fat
  • 7 grams of protein

#8: Tiramisu Poke Cake

Keto cake recipes: Tiramisu poke cake

This low-carb keto-approved tiramisu cake is a little different from the others on this list because it’s made in a slow cooker.

All you have to do is mix everything together and add it to your slow cooker to “bake” without needing to keep a watchful eye on its progress.

Pro tip: Use parchment paper to seal in moisture and prevent the cake from burning or sticking to the edges.

#9: Keto Carrot Cake

Keto carrot cake

If you thought carrot cake was off-limits on keto since carrots aren’t exactly low-carb, you’re in luck.

Since this keto carrot cake recipe uses grated carrot, there’s just enough to give you the flavors of traditional carrot cake but without kicking you out of ketosis.

This cake is topped with cream cheese frosting and each slice contains 4.7 grams of net carbs, so you enjoy in moderation.

#10: Keto Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Pumpkin bundt keto cake recipe

While most cakes are anything but keto-friendly, this pumpkin spice bundt cake packs the same great pumpkin flavors in a low-carb, keto-approved version.

Using real pumpkin in this recipe means you also score all the nutrition that comes with the gourd, such as important vitamins and minerals[*].

#11: Keto Nutella Cake Roll

Keto Nutella cake roll

When you’re craving a spoonful or two of Nutella, try this keto cake roll recipe instead.

Using a homemade sugar-free “Nutella” and mascarpone mix, you’ll have a low-carb dessert that’s even better than licking the spoon straight from the jar.

#12: Keto Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches keto cake recipe

This tres leches keto cake recipe is a low-carb take on a Mexican classic.

Using healthier substitutions — coconut flour over all-purpose flour, creme fraiche instead of sweetened condensed milk, and erythritol in place of white sugar — makes for a keto-friendly version.

#13: Keto Celebration Brownie Cake

Celebration brownie keto cake recipe

This keto celebration brownie cake is the best combination of a moist chocolate cake and gooey brownie.

If you’re feeling extra decadent, this keto cake recipe is the perfect pairing for keto ice cream.

Keto Cheesecake Recipes

Cheesecake is one of the easiest makeovers in low-carb recipes and it gives a unique twist on basic birthday cake. Thanks to a few simple swaps, you can get all of the flavor and none of the guilt.

#1: Low-Carb Decadent Keto Cheesecake

Keto cake recipes: Cheesecake

Using cream cheese and heavy whipping cream for the cheesecake filling, almond flour for the crust, and frozen raspberries for the topping, this decadent low-carb cheesecake takes dessert to a whole new level.

#2: Keto Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake

Keto pumpkin cheesecake

When you want a low-carb pumpkin pie recipe, this keto pumpkin spice cheesecake does the trick. This recipe uses an almond flour crust and cream cheese filling mixed with pumpkin puree to create a flavor profile similar to traditional pumpkin pie.

#3: Mini Keto Chocolate Cheesecakes

Keto cake recipe: Chocolate mini cheesecake

Bite-sized portions and poppable desserts are always fun at parties, and this mini keto chocolate cheesecake recipe is no exception.

The ingredients and process for these mini cheesecakes are the same as making a larger cake except you’ll be using a muffin pan to make individual portions.

Each small chocolate cheesecake only has 3 grams of net carbs and almost 8 grams of protein.

#4: Keto Brownie Swirl Cheesecake

Keto brownie cheesecake

Using a low-carb brownie mix swirled into a keto-friendly cheesecake, this keto cheesecake recipe will impress guests and show them that keto doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing sweet and delicious foods.

Top with sugar-free chocolate chips for some extra chocolaty goodness.

#5. Italian Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake

Keto cake recipe with lemon ricotta

While American cheesecakes use cream cheese filling, Italian cheesecakes are made with ricotta cheese.

This keto-friendly recipe for lemon ricotta cheesecake mixes ricotta and cream cheese to create a heavenly dessert your nonna would be proud of.

Try One or All of These Keto Cake Recipes

Whether you stick to one keto cake recipe on this list or you try all of them, it’s important to be mindful of portion control. While they are low-carb, sugar-free, and keto-approved, eating too many servings can still kick you out of ketosis.

For more quick, delicious, and easy keto dessert ideas, don’t miss these recipes:

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