These keto butterscotch cookies are a dream come true for anyone following a low-carb lifestyle. They're tender, chewy, and bursting with rich butterscotch flavor, proving that you don't have to sacrifice taste when cutting carbs. Adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top elevates these cookies to a truly unique keto experience.
What Makes These Cookies Keto-Friendly?
The secret to these delectable cookies lies in the careful selection of keto-friendly ingredients. Traditional butterscotch is off-limits on a ketogenic diet due to its high sugar content. However, the availability of excellent sugar substitutes and sugar-free butterscotch chips makes it possible to recreate the beloved butterscotch flavor without the carb overload.
Key Ingredients for Keto Butterscotch Cookies
- Almond Flour: Good blanched almond flour is essential for achieving the ideal cookie consistency.
- Swerve Brown: A brown sugar replacement is crucial for authentic butterscotch flavor. Swerve Brown is a popular choice as it closely mimics the taste and texture of real brown sugar.
- Collagen: Collagen protein powder (collagen peptides) contributes to the chewy texture reminiscent of traditional butterscotch cookies.
- Coconut Flour: A small amount of coconut flour helps to firm up the cookies and reduce the carb count.
- Butter: You can't make butterscotch cookies without the butter! Salted butter works really well in butterscotch recipes.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda gives the cookies better color and prevents them from becoming cakey.
- Caramel Extract: Caramel flavoring intensifies the butterscotch flavor, but vanilla extract can be used as a substitute.
- Keto Butterscotch Chips: Lily's sugar-free butterscotch chips are highly recommended. If unavailable, keto chocolate chips can be used instead.
- Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt enhances the flavor and adds a touch of visual appeal.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Keto Butterscotch Cookies
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160°C) and line a large baking sheet with a silicone liner or parchment paper.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener (Swerve Brown), collagen, coconut flour, and baking soda.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Stir in the egg, melted butter, and caramel extract until a dough forms. Then stir in half of the butterscotch chips, reserving the rest for the tops of the cookies.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly. You should get 24 cookies. Use the palm of your hand to press down to about 3/4 inch thick.
- Bake: Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, switching the position of the pans halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
- Add Butterscotch Chips: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a few more butterscotch chips into the top of each cookie for visual appeal.
- Sprinkle with Sea Salt: If desired, sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt on top of each cookie.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
Tips and Variations
- Cookie Size: You can adjust the size of the cookies to your preference. Smaller cookies will bake faster, while larger cookies will require a longer baking time.
- Sweetener Alternatives: If Swerve Brown is unavailable, you can use granular Swerve or another erythritol-based sweetener and add 2 teaspoons of molasses for a hint of brown sugar flavor.
- Chip Substitutions: If you can't find butterscotch chips, dark chocolate chips or Lily's caramel chocolate chips make excellent substitutes.
- Nut-Free Option: For a nut-free version, try using sunflower seed flour or a blend of coconut flour and oat fiber in place of almond flour. Note that this may alter the texture and flavor slightly.
- Extract Variations: Experiment with different extracts such as maple, rum, or coffee to create unique flavor profiles.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the dough for a warm and cozy twist.
- Nutty Addition: Incorporate chopped pecans, walnuts, or macadamia nuts into the dough for added texture and flavor.
Understanding Keto-Friendly Sweeteners
Choosing the right sweetener is crucial for successful keto baking. While regular brown sugar is not an option, several keto-friendly alternatives are available.
- Swerve: Swerve is a popular erythritol-based sweetener that measures and tastes like sugar. It's a great option for those who are sensitive to the cooling effect of some other sugar alcohols.
- Monk Fruit: Monk fruit is a natural sweetener derived from a fruit. It has no aftertaste and doesn't raise blood sugar levels.
- Allulose: Allulose is a rare sugar that is not metabolized by the body, making it a suitable keto sweetener. However, baked goods made with allulose may brown more quickly, so keep a close eye on them in the oven.
- Erythritol: Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is partially absorbed by the body. It has a mild sweetness and a slight cooling effect.
When using keto sweeteners, it's essential to understand how they affect the outcome of your baked goods. Some sweeteners may cause dryness, while others may result in a softer texture. Experimenting with different sweeteners and adjusting the recipe accordingly is key to achieving the desired results.
Storing Your Keto Butterscotch Cookies
To maintain their freshness and chewy texture, store the keto butterscotch cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Simply thaw the cookies at room temperature before serving.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Nutritional Information
Each serving (2 cookies) contains:
- Calories: (calculate based on specific ingredients used)
- Net Carbs: (calculate based on specific ingredients used, remembering to subtract fiber and sugar alcohols)
- Fat: (calculate based on specific ingredients used)
- Protein: (calculate based on specific ingredients used)
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is based on the specific ingredients used. It's always best to calculate nutritional information independently for the most accurate results.
Keto Butterscotch Bars: Another Delicious Option
If you're a fan of butterscotch, you might also enjoy keto butterscotch bars. These bars offer a similar flavor profile to oatmeal scotchies but with a fraction of the carbs.
Key Ingredients for Keto Butterscotch Bars:
- Butter: Browned butter is essential for a rich butterscotch flavor.
- Almonds: Coarsely ground sliced almonds mimic the texture of oats.
- Coconut: Unsweetened flaked coconut adds to the oatmeal-like texture.
- Almond Flour: Provides structure to the bars.
- Sweetener: A keto brown sugar substitute is ideal.
- Collagen: Contributes to a chewy texture.
- Extract: Vanilla, caramel, or butterscotch extract can be used.
- Keto Butterscotch Chips: Optional, but they enhance the butterscotch flavor.
Instructions:
- Brown the Butter: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat until it becomes a deep amber color.
- Process Nuts: Combine flaked coconut and sliced almonds in a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles oat flakes.
- Combine Ingredients: Whisk together almond flour, sweetener, collagen, baking powder, and salt. Add browned butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir in half of the butterscotch chips and chocolate chips.
- Transfer to Pan: Press the mixture firmly into an 8x8 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Bake at 325ºF (160°C) for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown. Sprinkle with remaining butterscotch chips.
- Cool and Cut: Let cool completely before lifting out and cutting into bars.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
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