For those embracing a ketogenic lifestyle or simply seeking a healthier alternative to traditional sweets, keto crinkle cookies offer a delightful solution. These cookies capture the essence of the classic chocolate crinkle cookie while adhering to low-carb principles. Soft, chewy, and often fudgy, they are perfect for holiday platters, gift-giving, or simply enjoying as a guilt-free treat.
What are Keto Crinkle Cookies?
Keto crinkle cookies are a low-carb, sugar-free take on the classic chocolate crinkle cookie. Traditional crinkle cookies are not keto-friendly because they contain wheat flour and added sugar. Keto crinkle cookies use almond flour and coconut flour instead of wheat flour, and a keto-friendly sweetener instead of sugar. They maintain the flavors and textures you would expect from classic chocolate crinkle cookies.
Key Ingredients and Their Roles
The success of keto crinkle cookies lies in the careful selection of ingredients that mimic the texture and flavor of traditional cookies without the carbs. Here's a breakdown of the key components:
- Almond Flour: Blanched or superfine almond flour serves as the base, providing a tender crumb and nutty flavor.
- Coconut Flour: Often combined with almond flour, coconut flour helps to bind the ingredients and create a more stable structure.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened and Dutch-processed cocoa powder delivers the rich chocolate flavor. Cacao can also be used, which is the purest form of chocolate. Cocoa powder is made by applying high heat to cacao. It retains some nutritional benefits but not as much as using raw cacao in which heat has not been applied.
- Granulated Sweetener: Any keto-friendly granulated sweetener can be used, such as allulose, erythritol, or monk fruit sweetener.
- Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These leavening agents help the cookies rise and achieve a light, airy texture.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Sugar-Free Maple Syrup: Adds moisture and a touch of sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic cookie flavor.
- Coconut Oil: Softened but not liquid coconut oil adds moisture and richness. Avocado oil, ghee, or unsalted butter can be substituted.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients and contributes to the cookie's structure.
- Keto Powdered Sugar: Used for coating the cookies, creating the signature crinkled appearance. Powdered monk fruit sweetener or powdered coconut sugar can be used.
Optional Additions
- Orange Zest and Extract/Essential Oil: For a festive twist, orange zest and orange extract or essential oil can be added to the dough.
- Spices: Cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger can be added for a warming, holiday flavor.
- Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips: Add chopped sugar-free chocolate or chocolate chips for extra chocolate flavor.
- Unsweetened Grated Coconut or Chopped Nuts: Add texture with unsweetened grated coconut or chopped nuts.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Keto Crinkle Cookies
The process of making keto crinkle cookies is similar to traditional cookies, with a few key adjustments to accommodate the low-carb ingredients.
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, xanthan gum (if using), and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg(s), sweetener, melted coconut oil, sugar-free maple syrup (if using), and vanilla extract. Add orange zest and orange extract/essential oil (if using).
- Mix Dough: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth, thick dough forms. If using sugar-free chocolate chips, mix them in now.
- Chill Dough: Cover the bowl and let the dough sit for 10-30 minutes, or chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour). Chilling is mandatory for this cookie dough.
- Prepare Sugar Coating: In a separate bowl, combine the keto powdered sugar with extra granulated sweetener (optional).
- Form Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop balls of dough into the sugar mixture. Gently roll the dough until completely covered in the sugar.
- Bake: Carefully move the covered balls of dough onto the lined baking tray, placing them 2 inches apart. Flatten them down gently with your hand or a glass until they're about ½ an inch thick.
- Bake: Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are cracked.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan completely. Once cooled, sift extra powdered sugar on top.
Tips for Perfect Keto Crinkle Cookies
- Don't Overbake: Bake the cookies until they are just set around the edges, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too thin.
- Coat Generously: Ensure the dough balls are thoroughly coated in powdered sweetener for the best crinkle effect.
- Use Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality almond flour, cocoa powder, and sweeteners for optimal flavor and texture.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add extracts, spices, or other flavorings to customize your cookies.
Storing Keto Crinkle Cookies
To store: Cookies will keep well at room temperature, in a covered container, for up to 1 week.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Freezing: Just place the gluten free chocolate crinkle cookies on a large baking sheet and pop the tray into the freezer for 30 minutes. Once the cookies have hardened, transfer to a large zip-top bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the gluten-free cookies on a festive Christmas plate as an after-dinner treat.
- Arrange the cookies in the shape of a Christmas tree.
- Use sugar-free candy canes to form the trunk.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional content of keto crinkle cookies will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. However, a typical keto crinkle cookie may contain approximately:
- Calories: 92 kcal
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Net Carbs: 1g
It's always best to independently calculate nutritional data on your own with the specific ingredients you use.
Nut-Free Option
Yes these delicious keto crinkle cookies can be made nut free by swapping out the almond flour in the recipe with a seed flour. I often use sunflower seed flour to replace almond. You can use the same exact amount so they are interchangeable in keto recipes, making it much easier to use than other flours.
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