If you're looking for a warm, comforting, and incredibly easy-to-make dessert that aligns with your low-carb lifestyle, look no further than the keto blueberry dump cake. This gluten-free, grain-free treat requires minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor, satisfying your sweet cravings without derailing your ketogenic diet.
What is a Dump Cake?
The name "dump cake" might not sound particularly appetizing, but it perfectly describes the simplicity of this dessert. Traditionally, dump cakes are egg-free creations consisting of a layer of pie filling topped with a dry yellow cake mix and copious amounts of butter. The ingredients are essentially "dumped" into a pan without any mixing, making it a foolproof recipe for even the most novice bakers.
Why This Recipe Works for Keto
Traditional dump cakes are loaded with sugar and white flour, making them unsuitable for a ketogenic diet. This keto blueberry dump cake recipe replaces those high-carb ingredients with low-carb alternatives, allowing you to enjoy a delicious dessert while staying within your macros.
Here are the key substitutions:
- Sugar: Instead of refined sugar, this recipe uses sugar-free sweeteners like allulose and erythritol.
- Flour: Almond flour and coconut flour replace wheat flour, providing a gluten-free and low-carb base for the topping.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's a breakdown of the ingredients for this keto blueberry dump cake:
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
For the Blueberry Filling:
- Blueberries: The star of the show! Fresh or frozen blueberries work well. Blueberries are relatively low in carbs compared to other fruits, making them a great choice for keto.
- Sweetener: Allulose is recommended for its sugar-like taste, excellent dissolving properties, and lack of aftertaste. However, erythritol-based sweeteners like Swerve or Lakanto can also be used.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a touch of acidity and enhances the blueberry flavor.
- Xanthan Gum (Optional): This acts as a thickening agent, creating a jam-like consistency in the filling.
For the Topping:
- Almond Flour: Provides a nutty flavor and a tender crumb.
- Coconut Flour: Adds structure and helps to absorb moisture.
- Erythritol-Based Sweetener: Essential for achieving a crispy topping.
- Baking Powder: Helps the topping to rise slightly.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and complements the blueberry flavor.
- Sea Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
- Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps to create a golden-brown crust. Dairy-free butter or ghee can be used as a substitute.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own keto blueberry dump cake:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 7x11-inch or 8x8-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the blueberry filling: In the prepared baking dish, combine the blueberries, lemon juice, allulose, and xanthan gum (if using). Toss to combine and set aside.
- Make the topping: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, cinnamon, sea salt, baking powder, and erythritol-based sweetener.
- Assemble the dump cake: Evenly sprinkle the dry ingredients over the blueberry mixture. Drizzle the melted butter over the dry ingredients, ensuring even coverage. Some bare spots are okay.
- Bake: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is nicely browned and the blueberry filling is bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Let the dump cake cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Perfect Keto Blueberry Dump Cake
- Use frozen or fresh blueberries: Both work well in this recipe. If using larger berries or fruit, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Adjust the sweetener to your liking: Berries have varying levels of sweetness, so you may need to adjust the amount of sweetener in the filling to suit your taste.
- Don't overbake: Overbaking can result in a dry topping. Bake until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Serve warm: This dump cake is best served warm, ideally with a dollop of whipped cream, coconut whipped cream, or keto ice cream.
Variations and Substitutions
- Different berries or fruit: Feel free to experiment with other berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries. You can also use a combination of different berries. Rhubarb would also be amazing with strawberries.
- Dairy-free: Replace the butter with dairy-free butter or ghee.
- Nuts: Add a crunchy topping by sprinkling chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the cake mix before baking.
Serving and Storage
This keto blueberry dump cake is best served fresh and warm. However, leftovers can be stored tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the topping may soften over time due to the moisture from the filling.
Sweetener Options: A Detailed Guide
Choosing the right sweetener is crucial for achieving the desired taste and texture in your keto blueberry dump cake. Here's a closer look at the recommended sweeteners and how to use them:
- Allulose: This is often the preferred choice for the filling due to its sugar-like taste, excellent dissolving properties, and lack of aftertaste. Pure allulose is slightly less sweet than other sweeteners, so you may need to use a bit more.
- Erythritol-Based Sweeteners (Swerve, Lakanto): These are essential for the topping, as they crisp up nicely during baking. They can also be used in the filling, but be aware that some people experience a cooling sensation or aftertaste with erythritol.
- Monk Fruit/Allulose Blend: This is a good alternative to pure allulose for the filling. Since it's sweeter than allulose, you'll need to use less.
- Xylitol: While xylitol is a viable option, it can slightly raise blood sugar in some individuals. It's also toxic to pets, so exercise caution if you have furry friends.
Important Tip: When substituting sweeteners, remember that 1 cup of granulated sweetener equals 1 ¾ cups of powdered sweetener.
Why is it called Dump Cake?
This dish gets its name because the ingredients are usually "dumped" into a pan without mixing.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information for this recipe is an approximate only and is calculated as a courtesy. It is important to note that the exact values may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto