Chocolate Keto Cake

This Chocolate Keto Cake is so moist and delicious that you’ll never guess it is low carb! Made with simple ingredients and gluten-free, this easy keto cake recipe is perfect for any occasion. Enjoy with sugar-free chocolate ganache on top!

Moist chocolate cake, Keto?

We had a family dinner planned for last Friday. As usual in those occasions, each of us brings something and then we share. Appetizers, salads, baked turkey, side dishes…There was already plenty of food on the menu. Yet, something was missing – probably the most important part. Dessert! We still needed something sweet to end our meal.

I took over the hard task. And no, this time I’m not joking when I say hard. You must know that in our family, people like sweet things. A LOT! But sadly, my brother’s girlfriend is allergic to gluten while my grandma can’t eat that many carbs & sugars. Oh, and my girlfriend’s parents do not consume white flour. Still, they all want their desserts to be super moist, sweet, rich and decadent. Preferably with chocolate, says my girlfriend.

That was exactly my task. Trying to see how to make chocolate cake low carb, gluten-free and flourless, but still as delicious as the original.

As they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Last Friday, right after my unfailing bowl of #ProteinOats, I set out to make the magic happen. After an entire morning in the kitchen, with cocoa all over my sweetener I proudly put our low carb cake in the fridge. Yes, in the fridge because it had a healthier sugar-free chocolate ganache on top!

Mission completed. Everyone loved my keto chocolate cake so much that they couldn’t believe it is low carb: made with no flour, no sugar and no chocolate at all (cocoa powder makes miracles).

What is keto cake made of?

• Almond flour. To make keto cake you will need to replace regular flour with almond flour. I recommend blanched almond flour, as it tends to give baked goods a better taste and texture.
• Cocoa powder. Choose unsweetened cocoa powder. It adds a great chocolate flavor without all the sugars and calories of normal chocolate.
• Keto sweetener. I like and recommend baking with granular erythritol because it does not give any aftertaste. As an alternative you can opt for xylitol, monk fruit or other granular sweeteners. I personally never use stevia because it has a strong flavor.  
• Eggs. Use three large eggs to make a rich chocolate keto cake that remains moist and fluffy. 
• Coconut oil. In keto baking, the oil compensate for sugar and carbs to keep desserts rich and moist. I like using coconut oil, but you can replace it with melted butter or with a vegetable oil of your choice. 
• Greek yogurt. My recipe uses Greek yogurt to replace part of the oil. This gives the low carb cake a moister texture with fewer calories and fats. You can either use low-fat or full-fat Greek yogurt.
• Almond milk. Unsweetened almond milk is the one with the fewest calories and carbs. Replace with unsweetened soy milk, semi-skimmed milk, or with any other low carb milk.
• Baking powder. This helps the low carb cake rise and get fluffy.  
• Vanilla extract and salt. Vanilla and salt enhance the flavor of chocolate and balance sweetness level.

The substitutes

• Replace the eggs with 3 flaxseed eggs (or equivalent egg alternatives) and make vegan keto cake with chocolate.
• Substitute coconut oil with melted butter or with any other vegetable oil such as canola oil.
• Make a dairy-free keto cake with soy yogurt, nondairy milk, and plant based cream cheese (for the frosting).

Vegan keto cake with chocolate

Here is how you can adapt this easy keto cake recipe to make it suitable for a vegan diet. We will need to replace the eggs with plant based alternatives, such as flaxseed eggs, and Greek yogurt with dairy-free yogurt. Besides that, be sure to use unsweetened almond milk or soy milk. In a similar way, for the frosting you may want to swap out regular cream cheese for plant based alternatives. My recommendations are cashew or almond cream cheese.

Healthy chocolate ganache recipe

This is more than just a simple low carb cake. This is her majesty Keto Cake with Chocolate Ganache. Healthier, sugar-free, low in fats and…without chocolate! The secret for making keto chocolate ganache without chocolate is combining cocoa powder with cream cheese and powdered sweetener. Mix it all up until smooth and spread all over your indulgent dessert.

To cut some fats and calories, I made my ganache with low-fat cream cheese. But you can also use regular cream cheese. It has some more calories but it will give your frosting a richer taste. In case of allergies or intolerances, substitute regular cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives. My favorite is cashew cream cheese, followed by the one made with almonds.

How to make chocolate keto cake with ganache

Make keto batter. Melt the coconut oil or the butter. Once melted, transfer the oil to a large bowl and combine with eggs, keto sweetener, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Whisk the mixture until it gets smooth. Using a rubber spatula or fork, stir in almond flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Gradually pour in the milk while mixing, until you get a smooth cake batter.

Bake low carb cake. Transfer the chocolate keto batter to the prepared mold, then bake in hot oven for about 30 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into its center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before frosting.

Keto frosting: How to make?

Before starting, remove the cream cheese from the fridge, then place it in a bowl together with vanilla extract. Allow the cheese to soften before making your low carb chocolate ganache. 

In a second bowl, combine cocoa powder with granular sweetener and a pinch of salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the bowl with cream cheese, while pouring in the milk. Start with 2 tablespoons, and add more if it is necessary. The mixture should be smooth and thick, without any cocoa lump. If it is necessary, adjust with more sweetener to taste.

Once the dessert has cooled, spread low carb chocolate ganache over the chocolate keto cake. If desired, decorate with sugar-free chocolate chips. Refrigerate the cake to allow the ganache to set. Once ready, serve right away or keep stored in the fridge until eating.

Storage directions

Here is how to store chocolate keto cake with ganache, so that it retains a rich taste and a moist texture. You can store it with or without frosting, depending on your own preferences. In both cases, you will need to let the chocolate cake cool completely at room temperature. Once it has cooled, frost if you want and cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. As an alternative you can also place it in an airtight food container and refrigerate. In the fridge, the dessert will last for up to 4 days.

Baker’s Tip. I recommend taking out of the fridge your low carb cake about 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This will bring back all the chocolate flavors and make your dessert moister.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Craving more? Try my other keto desserts

• Greek yogurt brownies
• Keto banana bread
• Keto cereals
• No bake keto cookies
• Protein cookies with Greek yogurt
• Keto brownie mug cake
• Protein cookie dough
• Low calorie cheesecake
• Keto mug cake recipe
• Cottage cheese chocolate ice cream
• 3 ingredient chocolate mug cake