The Best Keto Chocolate Cake Recipe

When it comes to keto desserts, it’s safe to say we are huge fans. While desserts should be enjoyed in moderation, we have a few that we make very regularly. In a single week, we often make keto chocolate chip cookies, keto cupcakes, and especially keto ice cream. It also wouldn’t be uncommon for us to prep some candy, too. Oh, and let’s not forget the family favorites that are requested almost daily: keto cheesecake and keto peanut butter cookies! Whenever we have a celebratory event or just want something classic and delicious, we whip up a keto chocolate cake.

Can you eat cake on a keto diet?

When made using low-carb ingredients, cake CAN be part of a keto diet. Swap out the sugar for sugar substitutes and use low-carb flour; you can create a cake that looks and tastes just like any cake out there. Why this keto chocolate cake recipe will be a low carb staple-

It needs less than 8 ingredients. Okay, so that doesn’t include the frosting, but this cake tastes so good that you don’t even need it (but you should!). Ready in 30 minutes. You’d think a layer cake would take a long time to cook, but really, 30 minutes is the MAXIMUM time it could take. There is barely any prep required. You mix the wet ingredients, then add the dry ingredients and that is it. Seriously, even a toddler could do this. You can make them as cupcakes! Ever worry about portion control? Want to cook this cake in half the time? Bake them as cupcakes!

Can we just lament on how good this chocolate cake tastes and what an incredible texture it has? It’s moist, fluffy, and has a gorgeous, tender crumb. The chocolate flavor is evident throughout, and seriously, I dare you to stop yourself after one slice!

Ingredients needed

For such a fabulous-looking dessert, you’ll love the simple and easy ingredient list needed. If you’ve made any of my low-carb dessert recipes before, you’ll have all these ingredients on hand. Here is what you’ll need:

Almond flour. Blanched almond flour must be used, as it keeps the cake fluffier in the center. Do not use almond meal, as that makes the cake heavy and dense. Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Use a good quality cocoa powder and sift it first if there are clumps in it. For a richer flavored cake, use dark cocoa powder. Allulose. My preferred keto granulated sweetener because it dissolves exactly like sugar does. Monk fruit sweetener should work too. I tested this cake with stevia and didn’t like the bitter aftertaste. Baking powder. It gives the cake some rise and leavens it out. Salt. Enhances the sweetness of the cake. Eggs. Your eggs must be at room temperature to ensure it doesn’t cool the butter down when beating it together. Butter. You want the butter to be unsalted and at room temperature, not melted! Vanilla extract. A must for any good cake recipe! Frosting. What is a chocolate cake without some keto frosting? You can also do a cream cheese frosting or buttercream frosting.

How to make a low carb chocolate cake

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Step 1- Cream the wet ingredients. Start by creaming together the eggs, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. I usually just mix by hand, but you can use a hand mixer if you prefer. Step 2- Make the cake batter. Next, add the dry ingredients into the bowl and mix until a thick cake batter remains. Try not to over-mix the batter because sometimes that can yield an overly gummy cake. Step 3- Bake the cake. Now, grease two 9-inch cake pans and set aside. Evenly distribute the cake batter between the two cake pans and use a spatula to smooth out the top. Bake the cakes for 27-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. I usually check around the 27-minute mark and keep checking every minute until it is done. Step 4- Frost the cake. Finally, let the cakes cool completely. Once cool, generously spread keto frosting between the two cakes and around the exterior. Let the cake sit for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe tips and variations

Do not over-bake the cake, as the cake continues to cook as it is cooling down. It shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes, so check at the 27-minute mark. If your almond flour and cocoa powder have clumps, be sure to sift them both carefully. If you only have salted butter, you can use that and omit the salt from the cake batter. You can bake this cake in a square pan if you like. 8 x 8-inch is ideal for a thick cake. Also, try them as cupcakes. Reduce the baking time to 18-20 minutes if you do.

Storage instructions

To store: Leftover cake can be stored in the refrigerator, covered. It will keep well for up to 2 weeks. To freeze: You can freeze keto cake by placing it in a freezer friendly container. It will store well for up to 6 months.