For those following a ketogenic diet, the absence of sugar can create intense cravings for desserts, cakes, and cookies. Cream cheese emerges as a versatile and essential ingredient, lending itself to a myriad of sweet and savory applications. This article explores a variety of keto-friendly cream cheese recipes, from cookies and brownies to cheesecakes and even ice cream.
Cream Cheese Cookies: A Keto Dream Come True
These Cream Cheese Cookies offer a soft, chewy, buttery, and cakey experience. For those on a keto diet, these cookies can satisfy dessert cravings without derailing dietary goals.
Ingredients and Their Roles
- Almond Flour: This gluten-free flour is a staple in keto baking, providing a base for the cookies.
- Sweetener: A keto-friendly sweetener, such as a monk fruit erythritol blend, adds the necessary sweetness and contributes to the cookies' texture.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Cream Cheese: The star ingredient, providing a light, airy, and creamy texture.
- Butter: Adds smoothness, richness, and fluffiness to the cookies. Unsalted butter is recommended.
Baking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and grease it.
- In a bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (almond flour, sweetener, salt).
- In a separate bowl, mix the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth using an electric mixer.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and blend until well combined. The batter will be wet.
- Form 8-12 evenly sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them.
- Flatten the tops with a fork.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them, as they are very soft and crumbly.
Storage
These cookies can be stored on the counter for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Freezing is not recommended due to their texture.
Cream Cheese as a Butter Substitute
Cream cheese can be used as a substitute for butter in many cookie recipes. In this particular recipe, both butter and cream cheese are used.
Keto Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bites: A Quick Churro Alternative
These mini churro bites offer a quicker alternative to traditional keto churro recipes. The most challenging part is waiting for them to chill in the freezer.
Read also: Sweet and Savory Keto Cream Cheese
Key Ingredients and Tips
- Keto-Friendly Tortillas: Street taco or larger tortillas from brands like Mission, Siete, or Egglife work well.
- Confectioner’s Sugar Substitute: This works best for the filling, creating a light and airy texture.
- Freezing: Chill the filled tortillas in the freezer for at least an hour.
Serving Suggestions
These sweet and rich bites can be served at parties. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Keto Cream Cheese Brownies: Fudgy and Chewy
For those seeking a sugar-free, low-carb alternative to traditional cream cheese brownies, these keto cream cheese brownies are a great option.
Baking Tips
- Sweeteners: Swerve sweeteners are recommended, available in granulated, brown, and powdered forms. Powdered Swerve is ideal for frostings and no-bake desserts.
- Coconut Flour: Add coconut flour in small increments, as it absorbs liquid rapidly.
- Cream Cheese Layer: Make the cream cheese layer first, as the brownie batter stiffens quickly due to the coconut flour.
- Marbled Look: Add a little heavy cream (about 2 tablespoons) to the top brownie batter before layering it on top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Texture: These brownies have a different texture than traditional brownies due to the use of egg, coconut flour, and erythritol.
- Almond Flour Substitution: Almond flour cannot be substituted for coconut flour in a 1:1 ratio; a ratio of approximately 1 1/2 cups of almond flour may work, but it has not been tested.
- Stevia Substitution: Stevia can be used in place of erythritol, but it is not a 1:1 ratio swap due to its concentrated sweetness.
Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8 inch pan.
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until whipped. Mix in egg, vanilla, and powdered erythritol until well combined. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs until they are frothy. Stir in erythritol and mix well.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring between heatings, until chocolate is completely melted.
- Add vanilla, salt, baking powder, and melted chocolate to the bowl with the eggs and stir well.
- Slowly stir in coconut flour (in 1 tablespoon increments).
- Spread 3/4 of the brownie mixture into the prepared pan.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture on top and smooth it around.
- Spread the rest of the brownie mixture on top of the cream cheese mixture to create a marbled look.
Other Keto Cream Cheese Dessert Recipes
Cream cheese is a versatile ingredient for creating a variety of keto-friendly desserts. Here are some additional options:
- Keto Cheesecakes: Classic keto cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake, blueberry cheesecake, white chocolate caramel cheesecake, pumpkin spice cheesecake.
- Keto Pies: Low-carb lime pie, peanut butter pie.
- Keto Brownies: Dark chocolate fudgy brownie swirled with vanilla cheesecake.
- Frozen Treats: Strawberry cheesecake ice cream, blueberry cheesecake ice cream, frozen cheesecake squares dipped in chocolate.
- Other Desserts: Pumpkin spice loaf with cream cheese filling, blueberry swirl cream cheese squares, chocolate bundt cake with cheesecake swirl.
Cream Cheese in Savory Keto Recipes
While cream cheese is often associated with desserts, it can also be used in savory keto recipes for lunch and dinner. It can be the star of a dish or used as a supporting ingredient in sides and appetizers.
Additional Cream Cheese Keto Dessert Recipes
- 5-Ingredient Keto Chocolate Mousse
- S’mores Keto Crepe
- Keto Fried Cheesecake Bites
- Peanut Butter Fat Bombs
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Truffles
- Triple Berry Cheesecake Keto Fluff with Strawberry Syrup
- Keto Cheesecake Fluff (No Bake)
- Keto Cream Cheese Frosting
- Coconut Fat Bombs with Chocolate Drizzle
- Keto Strawberry Cheesecake Fat Bombs
- Keto Raspberry Cheesecake
- Keto Carrot Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting
- Simple Keto Cheesecake
- Keto Apple Pie Trifle with Chayotes
- Birthday Keto Chaffle Cake with Frosting
- Keto Oreo Cookie Bites
- Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Keto Banana Chocolate Cupcakes
- Keto Pumpkin Mousse
- Keto No-Bake Cheesecake
Incorporating Cream Cheese into a Keto Diet
Cream cheese is a valuable ingredient for those following a ketogenic diet. It can be used in various ways, from breakfast dishes to savory lunches and dinners, and especially in desserts. With a few simple recipes, you can easily incorporate more cream cheese into your diet without sacrificing flavor.
Read also: Easy Keto Mac and Cheese Recipe
Nutritional Benefits of Cream Cheese
Soft cheeses like cream cheese are low-carb and keto diet-friendly foods. One ounce of cream cheese contains 2g of protein, 9g of fat, and just 1g of net carbs. Original Philadelphia cream cheese is one of the lowest carb options. Avoid low-fat cream cheeses, as they often contain fillers that increase the carbohydrate content.
Read also: Your Guide to Keto Creamed Spinach