Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- How I Made This Keto Chocolate Cake So Decadent
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Almond Flour Chocolate Cake
- My Recipe Tips
- Keto Chocolate Cake Recipe card
- More Keto Chocolate Cake Recipes
- Recipe Reviews
How I Made This Keto Chocolate Cake So Decadent
I first served this keto chocolate cake for my daughter’s 5th birthday, except I used my keto peanut butter mousse as the frosting. While that tasted great and was a big hit, I re-tested it more recently with keto chocolate frosting , and liked it even more. But honestly, it’s the almond flour chocolate cake itself and not the frosting that makes it such a winner. Here’s why:
- Rich, chocolaty, and super moist – This cake is ultra decadent, moist, and sweet, with a deep chocolate flavor and silky chocolate frosting. I think it’s plenty of cocoa powder combined with Besti and sour cream that makes it so rich. I recommend this one if you’re a big chocolate fan, otherwise it might be too intense and you might prefer my vanilla keto cake instead.
- Easy to make – The batter comes together in one bowl, without any special equipment. You can make the frosting while it bakes, or prep it in advance.
- Low carb and gluten free – It’s hard to believe this is a grain free, sugar free chocolate cake, because it doesn’t taste like it! You’d never guess it has just 4.6 grams net carbs per slice.
If you need a perfect low carb dessert recipe for a birthday or other celebration, this keto chocolate cake is perfect. Grab a bag of Besti and make it with me!
“This really was the best keto chocolate cake (and I have tried a lot!!) It was moist, tender crumb, chocolatey and easier to make than I thought it would be. Making this again for sure!”
-Claire
More Reviews
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my keto chocolate cake recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
- Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour – This one is super fine for the best texture. (I use it for keto brownies and almond flour cake , too!) Many other brands are more coarse and can make your cake grainy. I don’t recommend using coconut flour, as it’s too dry. You may be able to use sunflower seed meal as a 1:1 replacement for the almond flour, but the color, texture, and flavor of the cake will be somewhat different.
- Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – This is the key to an ultra moist almond flour chocolate cake! For those of you that complained your result was dry, the sweetener was likely the reason. Besti locks in moisture and leaves the cake moist, while other sugar substitutes such as erythritol and most other brands of monk fruit or stevia will leave it dry. If you still want to substitute, use the sweetener conversion calculator to find out the right amount.
- Cocoa Powder – I recommend Dutch processed cocoa powder like this , which is less bitter than other types and has no added sugar.
- Butter – Make sure it’s at room temperature, so that it creams nicely. I used grass-fed salted butter for convenience, but you could also use unsalted and add 3/8 teaspoon of salt to the batter. If you want your keto chocolate cake dairy-free, replace the butter with coconut oil (same amount). For that version, I prefer butter-flavored coconut oil to get that buttery flavor.
- Eggs – If you need an egg-free option, you can try an egg substitute .
- Unsweetened Almond Milk – You can substitute other types of keto milk here if you like.
- Sour Cream – Adds richness and moisture. If you need a dairy free option, replace the sour cream with 3/4 cup full-fat coconut cream + 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
- Baking Powder – I like this non-GMO brand . Make sure it’s fresh, and don’t confuse it with baking soda, which is not the same and will leave an aftertaste when combined with these ingredients.
- Vanilla Extract – This one is my favorite.
- Frosting – I like to frost my keto chocolate cake with my sugar-free chocolate frosting , though you could also use keto cream cheese frosting or keto buttercream frosting . With any of these, I highly recommend using Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend , because it dissolves completely and doesn’t leave a gritty texture.
How To Make Almond Flour Chocolate Cake
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
- Cream the butter and Besti. In a large mixing bowl, use a a hand mixer ( I have this one and love the built-in storage for the attachments) to beat together the butter and Besti, until fluffy.
- Add the wet ingredients. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then almond milk, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients. Beat in the almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, until smooth.
- Transfer. Divide the batter among two springform pans or cake pans lined with parchment paper. (I made a 2 layer cake, but you could use 3 pans instead for a 3 layer cake, and just reduce the baking time.)
- Bake. The cake layers are done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely in the pans, then run a knife along the edges and flip to release.
- Make the frosting. I recommend my keto chocolate frosting recipe here , but mentioned other options in the ingredients section above.
- Frost the cake. Place one layer of keto chocolate cake onto a cake stand or platter. Frost the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top and frost the top. Finally, frost the sides. See my tips below for more frosting tips. Feel free to decorate your almond flour chocolate cake with more frosting (not my strong suit!), sugar-free sprinkles , or fresh berries like I did!
My Recipe Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients. Cold butter won’t cream properly, and cold eggs will solidify the butter. If I forget to set out the butter, I fill a stainless steel bowl with boiling water. After a few minutes, empty, dry, and place upside down over the butter on a plate to soften fast. If I forget to let the eggs come to room temp, I place them in a bowl of warm water.
- Rotate and swap the locations of the pans halfway through baking. This helps the cake layers bake more evenly, since different sides of most ovens tend to run hotter than others. At least that’s the case with mine!
- Double the frosting amount if you want to decorate the top. For a two-tier keto chocolate cake, I use 3/4 cup of frosting between layers, 1 1/4 cups on top, and 1 1/2 cups for the sides — about 3 1/2 cups total. You’ll need more if you want extra for decorations. I skipped this and topped my cake with berries instead.
- I recommend an icing spatula and cake stand to help apply the frosting more easily. The spatula reduces sticking and I find the shape easier to work with than a regular one. The cake stand helps because I rotate it as I frost.
- I recommend cutting the cake into narrow slices. It’s very rich and decadent, so you need less than you might think to be satisfied.
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 3/4 cup Salted butter (softened) ▢
- 1 1/2 cups Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend ▢
- 6 large Eggs (at room temperature) ▢
- 3/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk ▢
- 3/4 cup Sour cream ▢
- 1/2 tbsp Vanilla extract ▢
- 1 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder ▢
- 3 cups Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour ▢
- 1 tbsp Baking powder ▢
- 3 1/2 cups Keto Chocolate Frosting (tap to go to recipe and adjust to 28 servings to make the right amount) ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line the bottom of 2 9" round springform pans with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat together the allulose and butter with a hand mixer , until fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the almond milk, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Beat in the almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, until the batter is smooth.
- Divide the batter among the prepared pans, and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake the almond flour chocolate cake layers for 25-35 minutes , until the top springs back and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely, then run a knife along the edges and flip to release.
- Make the keto chocolate frosting here . Before you begin, adjust the amount on the recipe card to 28 servings — this will make the 3 1/2 cups you need for this cake.
- Place one layer of keto chocolate cake onto a cake stand or platter. Using an icing spatula , frost the top with 3/4 cup (96g) frosting. Place the second layer on top and frost the top with another 3/4 cup (96g) frosting. Finally, frost the sides with 1 1/2 cups (192g) frosting.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 narrow slice, or 1/24 cake (it’s VERY rich!)
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture, make decorating easier, and more.
- Storage: Keep this keto chocolate cake in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can serve it cold, but I prefer to let it come to room temperature, as the frosting texture is better that way.
- Freeze: This cake keeps well in the freezer for 3-4 months. You can freeze cake layers separately (wrap well), or freeze the whole frosted cake (freeze solid first, then wrap).
- Thaw: You can do this in the fridge overnight (8+ hours) or at room temp which is a little faster. Leave the plastic on for unfrosted cake, otherwise unwrap if it’s frosted because the wrapping will stick to the frosting once it thaws.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Keto Almond Flour Chocolate Cake
More Keto Chocolate Cake Recipes
If you like this decadent cake, you’ll probably like some of my other keto chocolate cake recipes:
For other flavors beyond chocolate, try my classic keto cheesecake , French almond flour cake , or Mexican-inspired keto tres leches .
Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- The Basic Keto Meal Formula
- Understanding Macros
- Keto Food Swaps
- Keto Food List
- Electrolyte Basics
- Keto Diet Types
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- Recipe Reviews
Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.
You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)
The Basic Keto Meal Formula
Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.
Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.
Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.
| Pick A Protein | Pick A Veggie | Add Fat |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder Venison | Cauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama Celery | Butter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil |
Understanding Macros
Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.
Carbs Are A Limit.
Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.
A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.
“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.
A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.
Protein Is A Goal.
Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].
“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.
Fat Is A Lever.
Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.
A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).
Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.
Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.
“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.
Keto Food Swaps
One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.
So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .
Keto Swaps For Breakfast
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Pancakes | Almond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes |
| Oatmeal | Keto oatmeal with hemp seeds |
| Cinnamon rolls | Fathead cinnamon rolls |
| Cereal | Keto nut granola |
| Muffins | Almond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins |
| Donuts | Almond flour donuts |
| Scones | Almond flour scones |
| High-sugar smoothies | Smoothie with berries or avocado |
| Hash browns | Cauliflower hash browns |
| Breakfast casserole | Breakfast casserole with no potatoes |
| Egg whites | Whole eggs |
| Turkey bacon | Bacon |
| Waffles | Chaffles |
Keto Swaps For Bread
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Bagels | Fathead bagels |
| English muffin | Almond flour English muffin |
| White bread | Keto white bread |
| Multigrain bread | Coconut flour bread with seeds |
| Tortillas for wraps | Coconut flour tortillas |
| Corn taco shells | Cheddar cheese taco shells |
| Burger buns | Oopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps |
| Breadsticks | Cauliflower breadsticks |
| Biscuits | Almond flour biscuits |
| Cornbread | Almond flour cornbread |
| Croutons | Parmesan crisps |
| Rice | Cauliflower rice , konjac rice |
Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Breaded wings | Crispy air fryer wings (unbreaded) |
| Low-fat meat & poultry | High-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat |
| Mashed potatoes | Mashed cauliflower |
| Roasted potatoes | Roasted or fried radishes |
| Tacos | Taco salad |
| Pizza | Fathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza |
| Lasagna | Eggplant lasagna |
| Potato salad | Cauliflower “potato” salad |
| French fries | Jicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries |
| Tater tots | Cauliflower tots |
| Wraps | Lettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas |
| Sushi | Naruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi |
| Breaded chicken or fish | Breaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds |
| Spaghetti | Zoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles |
Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Nachos | Cheese crisps |
| High-sugar fruit | Berries & other keto fruits |
| Crackers | Almond flour crackers |
| Hummus | Cauliflower hummus |
| Soft pretzels | Fathead pretzels |
| Popcorn | Puffed cheese |
| Granola bars | Grain-free granola bars |
| Jam | Sugar-free berry chia jam |
| Sweet fruity yogurt | Full-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries |
| Sweet salad dressing | Ranch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette |
| Ketchup | Mustard and/or sugar-free ketchup |
| BBQ sauce | Sugar-free BBQ sauce |
| Sweetened peanut butter | Natural, sugar-free nut butters |
| Light mayo | Avocado oil mayo |
| Maple syrup | Sugar-free, maple flavored syrup |
| Potato chips | Zucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds |
Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Sugar | Monk fruit or allulose |
| Powdered sugar | Powdered monk fruit or allulose |
| White flour | Almond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes) |
| Making baked goods soft/chewy | Xanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder |
| Breadcrumbs | Pork rinds or almond flour |
| Margarine | Butter, coconut oil, or ghee |
| Vegetable oil | Olive or avocado oil |
| Bananas | Banana extract |
| Chocolate chips | Sugar-free chocolate chips |
| Cornstarch or flour roux | Xanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end) |
| Simple syrup | Dissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat |
Keto Swaps For Drinks
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Lemonade | Water with lemon |
| Soda | Flavored sparkling water |
| Milk | Almond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream |
| Latte | Butter coffee |
| Coffee creamer | Heavy cream |
| Sweet wine | Dry wine |
| Beer | Ultra light beer |
| Mixed drinks | Hard liquor with soda + lemon |
If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .
Keto Food List
When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.
The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!
Foods To Eat On Keto
- Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
- Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
- Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
- Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
- Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
- Avocados
- Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
- Almond flour and coconut flour
- Eggs
- Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.
Foods To Avoid On Keto
- White flour & sugar
- Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
- Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
- Cereal
- Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
- Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
- Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
- Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
- Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
- Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.
That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:
Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)
Electrolyte Basics
Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.
For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .
The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.
Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:
| Sodium | Magnesium | Potassium |
|---|---|---|
| Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts Pickles | Seaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greens | Potassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork |
Keto Diet Types
People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.
Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.
Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!
- Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
- Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
- Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
- Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.
For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)
Keto Chocolate Cake
My BEST keto chocolate cake! This almond flour chocolate cake is ultra rich, moist, and chocolaty, but so easy to make in one bowl.
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/keto-chocolate-cake-recipe/
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Salted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend
- 6 large Eggs (at room temperature)
- 3/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk
- 3/4 cup Sour cream
- 1/2 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 1 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder
- 3 cups Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour
- 1 tbsp Baking powder
- 3 1/2 cups Keto Chocolate Frosting (tap to go to recipe and adjust to 28 servings to make the right amount)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line the bottom of 2 9" round springform pans with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat together the allulose and butter with a hand mixer , until fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the almond milk, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Beat in the almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, until the batter is smooth.
- Divide the batter among the prepared pans, and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake the almond flour chocolate cake layers for 25-35 minutes , until the top springs back and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely, then run a knife along the edges and flip to release.
- Make the keto chocolate frosting here . Before you begin, adjust the amount on the recipe card to 28 servings – this will make the 3 1/2 cups you need for this cake.
- Place one layer of keto chocolate cake onto a cake stand or platter. Using an icing spatula , frost the top with 3/4 cup (96g) frosting. Place the second layer on top and frost the top with another 3/4 cup (96g) frosting. Finally, frost the sides with 1 1/2 cups (192g) frosting.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 narrow slice, or 1/24 cake (it’s VERY rich!)
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture, make decorating easier, and more.
- Storage: Keep this keto chocolate cake in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can serve it cold, but I prefer to let it come to room temperature, as the frosting texture is better that way.
- Freeze: This cake keeps well in the freezer for 3-4 months. You can freeze cake layers separately (wrap well), or freeze the whole frosted cake (freeze solid first, then wrap).
- Thaw: You can do this in the fridge overnight (8+ hours) or at room temp which is a little faster. Leave the plastic on for unfrosted cake, otherwise unwrap if it’s frosted because the wrapping will stick to the frosting once it thaws.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)
Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- How I Made This Keto Chocolate Cake So Decadent
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Almond Flour Chocolate Cake
- My Recipe Tips
- Keto Chocolate Cake Recipe card
- More Keto Chocolate Cake Recipes
- Recipe Reviews
How I Made This Keto Chocolate Cake So Decadent
I first served this keto chocolate cake for my daughter’s 5th birthday, except I used my keto peanut butter mousse as the frosting. While that tasted great and was a big hit, I re-tested it more recently with keto chocolate frosting , and liked it even more. But honestly, it’s the almond flour chocolate cake itself and not the frosting that makes it such a winner. Here’s why:
- Rich, chocolaty, and super moist – This cake is ultra decadent, moist, and sweet, with a deep chocolate flavor and silky chocolate frosting. I think it’s plenty of cocoa powder combined with Besti and sour cream that makes it so rich. I recommend this one if you’re a big chocolate fan, otherwise it might be too intense and you might prefer my vanilla keto cake instead.
- Easy to make – The batter comes together in one bowl, without any special equipment. You can make the frosting while it bakes, or prep it in advance.
- Low carb and gluten free – It’s hard to believe this is a grain free, sugar free chocolate cake, because it doesn’t taste like it! You’d never guess it has just 4.6 grams net carbs per slice.
If you need a perfect low carb dessert recipe for a birthday or other celebration, this keto chocolate cake is perfect. Grab a bag of Besti and make it with me!
“This really was the best keto chocolate cake (and I have tried a lot!!) It was moist, tender crumb, chocolatey and easier to make than I thought it would be. Making this again for sure!”
-Claire
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Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my keto chocolate cake recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
- Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour – This one is super fine for the best texture. (I use it for keto brownies and almond flour cake , too!) Many other brands are more coarse and can make your cake grainy. I don’t recommend using coconut flour, as it’s too dry. You may be able to use sunflower seed meal as a 1:1 replacement for the almond flour, but the color, texture, and flavor of the cake will be somewhat different.
- Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – This is the key to an ultra moist almond flour chocolate cake! For those of you that complained your result was dry, the sweetener was likely the reason. Besti locks in moisture and leaves the cake moist, while other sugar substitutes such as erythritol and most other brands of monk fruit or stevia will leave it dry. If you still want to substitute, use the sweetener conversion calculator to find out the right amount.
- Cocoa Powder – I recommend Dutch processed cocoa powder like this , which is less bitter than other types and has no added sugar.
- Butter – Make sure it’s at room temperature, so that it creams nicely. I used grass-fed salted butter for convenience, but you could also use unsalted and add 3/8 teaspoon of salt to the batter. If you want your keto chocolate cake dairy-free, replace the butter with coconut oil (same amount). For that version, I prefer butter-flavored coconut oil to get that buttery flavor.
- Eggs – If you need an egg-free option, you can try an egg substitute .
- Unsweetened Almond Milk – You can substitute other types of keto milk here if you like.
- Sour Cream – Adds richness and moisture. If you need a dairy free option, replace the sour cream with 3/4 cup full-fat coconut cream + 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
- Baking Powder – I like this non-GMO brand . Make sure it’s fresh, and don’t confuse it with baking soda, which is not the same and will leave an aftertaste when combined with these ingredients.
- Vanilla Extract – This one is my favorite.
- Frosting – I like to frost my keto chocolate cake with my sugar-free chocolate frosting , though you could also use keto cream cheese frosting or keto buttercream frosting . With any of these, I highly recommend using Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend , because it dissolves completely and doesn’t leave a gritty texture.
How To Make Almond Flour Chocolate Cake
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
- Cream the butter and Besti. In a large mixing bowl, use a a hand mixer ( I have this one and love the built-in storage for the attachments) to beat together the butter and Besti, until fluffy.
- Add the wet ingredients. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then almond milk, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients. Beat in the almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, until smooth.
- Transfer. Divide the batter among two springform pans or cake pans lined with parchment paper. (I made a 2 layer cake, but you could use 3 pans instead for a 3 layer cake, and just reduce the baking time.)
- Bake. The cake layers are done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely in the pans, then run a knife along the edges and flip to release.
- Make the frosting. I recommend my keto chocolate frosting recipe here , but mentioned other options in the ingredients section above.
- Frost the cake. Place one layer of keto chocolate cake onto a cake stand or platter. Frost the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top and frost the top. Finally, frost the sides. See my tips below for more frosting tips. Feel free to decorate your almond flour chocolate cake with more frosting (not my strong suit!), sugar-free sprinkles , or fresh berries like I did!
My Recipe Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients. Cold butter won’t cream properly, and cold eggs will solidify the butter. If I forget to set out the butter, I fill a stainless steel bowl with boiling water. After a few minutes, empty, dry, and place upside down over the butter on a plate to soften fast. If I forget to let the eggs come to room temp, I place them in a bowl of warm water.
- Rotate and swap the locations of the pans halfway through baking. This helps the cake layers bake more evenly, since different sides of most ovens tend to run hotter than others. At least that’s the case with mine!
- Double the frosting amount if you want to decorate the top. For a two-tier keto chocolate cake, I use 3/4 cup of frosting between layers, 1 1/4 cups on top, and 1 1/2 cups for the sides — about 3 1/2 cups total. You’ll need more if you want extra for decorations. I skipped this and topped my cake with berries instead.
- I recommend an icing spatula and cake stand to help apply the frosting more easily. The spatula reduces sticking and I find the shape easier to work with than a regular one. The cake stand helps because I rotate it as I frost.
- I recommend cutting the cake into narrow slices. It’s very rich and decadent, so you need less than you might think to be satisfied.
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 3/4 cup Salted butter (softened) ▢
- 1 1/2 cups Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend ▢
- 6 large Eggs (at room temperature) ▢
- 3/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk ▢
- 3/4 cup Sour cream ▢
- 1/2 tbsp Vanilla extract ▢
- 1 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder ▢
- 3 cups Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour ▢
- 1 tbsp Baking powder ▢
- 3 1/2 cups Keto Chocolate Frosting (tap to go to recipe and adjust to 28 servings to make the right amount) ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line the bottom of 2 9" round springform pans with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat together the allulose and butter with a hand mixer , until fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the almond milk, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Beat in the almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, until the batter is smooth.
- Divide the batter among the prepared pans, and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake the almond flour chocolate cake layers for 25-35 minutes , until the top springs back and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely, then run a knife along the edges and flip to release.
- Make the keto chocolate frosting here . Before you begin, adjust the amount on the recipe card to 28 servings — this will make the 3 1/2 cups you need for this cake.
- Place one layer of keto chocolate cake onto a cake stand or platter. Using an icing spatula , frost the top with 3/4 cup (96g) frosting. Place the second layer on top and frost the top with another 3/4 cup (96g) frosting. Finally, frost the sides with 1 1/2 cups (192g) frosting.
Did You Like It?
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Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 narrow slice, or 1/24 cake (it’s VERY rich!)
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture, make decorating easier, and more.
- Storage: Keep this keto chocolate cake in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can serve it cold, but I prefer to let it come to room temperature, as the frosting texture is better that way.
- Freeze: This cake keeps well in the freezer for 3-4 months. You can freeze cake layers separately (wrap well), or freeze the whole frosted cake (freeze solid first, then wrap).
- Thaw: You can do this in the fridge overnight (8+ hours) or at room temp which is a little faster. Leave the plastic on for unfrosted cake, otherwise unwrap if it’s frosted because the wrapping will stick to the frosting once it thaws.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
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Keto Almond Flour Chocolate Cake
More Keto Chocolate Cake Recipes
If you like this decadent cake, you’ll probably like some of my other keto chocolate cake recipes:
For other flavors beyond chocolate, try my classic keto cheesecake , French almond flour cake , or Mexican-inspired keto tres leches .
