For those following a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle, finding satisfying desserts can sometimes be a challenge. However, with a few clever ingredient swaps, you can enjoy classic treats without derailing your dietary goals. The keto cherry cobbler is a perfect example. This article explores various keto-friendly cherry cobbler recipes, offering options that are gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free, allowing you to indulge in a warm, comforting dessert while staying on track.
Why Cherry Cobbler Works for Keto
Cherries, while naturally sweet, can be incorporated into a keto diet in moderation, especially when paired with other low-carb ingredients. The key is to use sugar substitutes and focus on recipes that utilize almond flour, coconut flour, and other keto-friendly alternatives to traditional baking ingredients.
Keto Cherry Cobbler Recipes: Variations and Approaches
Several approaches can be taken to create a delicious keto cherry cobbler, each with its own unique twist. Here are a few options:
Fruit Crisp with Berries and Cherries
This easy fruit crisp recipe comes together quickly using healthy ingredients. It's free of gluten, grains, dairy, eggs, sugar, and artificial sweeteners. You can use any fruit you wish, such as chopped strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, apples, or pears. To make this crisp delightfully sweet without using any refined sugar, use powdered monkfruit or powdered coconut sugar. If you don't have the powdered form, you can make your own by blending it for 10-20 seconds until powdered.
To prepare this version, preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the fruit in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with powdered monkfruit. Stir to coat, then divide the fruit among 6 ramekins. To make the topping, pulse together all ingredients in a food processor for a few seconds until a coarse crumb forms. Scoop roughly ¼ cup topping onto each ramekin. Bake for about 20 minutes until the fruit is bubbly and the topping is lightly golden. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Keep refrigerated for 5-7 days in an airtight container.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Paleo and Vegan Cherry Almond Cobbler
This paleo and vegan cherry almond cobbler features a sweet fresh cherry filling baked with a biscuit cobbler topping and toasty almonds. It's gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free, making it suitable for various dietary needs. The addition of almond extract and sliced almonds enhances the cherry-almond flavor combination.
To make this cobbler, combine the cherries, almond extract, tapioca, and sugar in a large bowl and stir to coat. In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, tapioca, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut solid coconut oil into the mixture until crumbly using a fork or pastry blender. Scoop the dough in about 1/4 cup amounts, flatten with your hands, and place all over the cherry layer. Bake and let it cool for at least 20-30 minutes after baking. Serve warm, topped with coconut vanilla ice cream if desired. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Low-Carb Gluten-Free Cherry Cobbler
This recipe uses fresh cherries and no added sugar, resulting in a delicious low-carb and gluten-free dessert. The cobbler features a combination of almond flour, coconut flour, pecans, and oat fiber (or more almond flour) in the topping, along with a filling of tart cherries, low-carb sweetener, almond extract, and cinnamon.
To prepare, whisk an egg with heavy cream and sour cream and set aside. Combine almond flour, coconut flour, pecans, oat fiber (or almond flour), low-carb sweetener, and cinnamon in a food processor until the nuts are well ground. Remove the dough from the food processor, shape it into a ball, and chill for an hour or two. While the dough is chilling, combine tart cherries with low-carb sweetener, almond extract, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Pour the cherry mixture into an 8x8-inch glass baking pan. Flatten the chilled dough and divide it into 8 pieces. Stagger the dough pieces over the cherry filling and bake at 400°F for about 32 minutes until the dough pieces are nicely browned.
Keto Cherry Pie Bars
For a twist on the traditional cobbler, consider keto cherry pie bars. These bars feature a flavorful crust, a cherry jam filling, and an almond flour coconut crumble topping. The tartness of cranberries complements the sweet cherries in the filling.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
To make these bars, process the ingredients for the crust in a food processor until they come together in a ball. Spread in the bottom of a prepared pan. Combine the fruit, sweetener, and lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until bubbly. Add xanthan gum. Pour the jam over the crust. Add the crumble ingredients (except the coconut) to the food processor and pulse until large crumbs form. Add the coconut and pulse just until they are mixed in. Bake and then refrigerate.
Keto Cherry Pie with Lattice Top
This keto cherry pie recipe combines plump cherries and cranberries for a low-carb filling. The recipe uses almond flour and coconut flour for the crust, and a lattice top adds a decorative touch.
To make the crust, blend almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, salt, baking powder, and xanthan gum in a blender or food processor. Add apple cider vinegar and cubed butter and blend until combined. Fold in the egg. Form a ball of dough and divide it into two pieces, freezing each for 30 minutes. Roll out the larger dough disk and place it into a greased 9-inch pie dish, par-baking for 20 minutes. Prepare the filling by combining cherries, cranberries, lemon juice, powdered sweetener, cornstarch, and xanthan gum. Place the filling into the pie crust. Roll out the second dough disk and cut out even strips. Place the strips of dough on top in a lattice shape. Brush the exterior of the crust with egg yolk and melted butter. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until golden on top.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions for Keto Cherry Cobbler
Creating a keto-friendly cherry cobbler relies on using low-carb alternatives to traditional ingredients. Here are some key components and their substitutes:
- Flour: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour, coconut flour, or a combination of both. These flours are low in carbs and provide a good texture for the crust or topping.
- Sugar: Use sugar substitutes like powdered monkfruit, erythritol, or stevia to sweeten the cobbler without adding carbs. Adjust the amount of sweetener to your taste preference.
- Thickener: Traditional cobblers often use cornstarch to thicken the fruit filling. For a keto version, use xanthan gum or tapioca flour in small amounts.
- Fat: Butter or coconut oil can be used to add richness and flavor to the crust or topping. Coconut oil is a good option for dairy-free versions.
- Cherries: While cherries are higher in carbs than some other fruits, they can be used in moderation. Consider combining them with lower-carb fruits like cranberries or raspberries to reduce the overall carb count.
- Dairy: For dairy-free versions, use coconut cream or almond milk instead of heavy cream or milk.
Tips for Making the Best Keto Cherry Cobbler
- Use Fresh or Frozen Cherries: Both fresh and frozen cherries can be used in keto cherry cobbler recipes. If using frozen cherries, thaw them slightly and drain any excess liquid before adding them to the filling.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: The sweetness of the cobbler can be adjusted by adding more or less sweetener. Taste the filling before baking and add more sweetener if needed.
- Don't Overbake: Overbaking can result in a dry crust or topping. Bake the cobbler until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Let it Cool: Allow the cobbler to cool slightly before serving. This will allow the filling to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
- Add a Topping: Enhance your keto cherry cobbler with a scoop of dairy-free keto vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped coconut cream.
- Customize with Nuts and Spices: Add chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the crust or topping for added flavor and texture. Experiment with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to complement the cherry flavor.
- Consider Adding Almond Extract: Enhance the cherry flavor with a touch of almond extract. It pairs wonderfully with cherries and adds a unique depth of flavor.
Serving and Storing Keto Cherry Cobbler
Keto cherry cobbler is best served warm, either on its own or with a topping. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the cobbler in the oven or microwave before serving. The bars should be kept airtight and refrigerated except for when you are serving.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
For longer storage, the cobbler can be frozen. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or tin foil and store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw the cobbler in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for keto cherry cobbler recipes will vary depending on the specific ingredients and serving size. However, by using low-carb flours, sugar substitutes, and moderate amounts of cherries, it is possible to create a dessert that fits within a ketogenic diet.
Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.