These keto cupcakes are a wonderful treat, perfect for any celebration! Expect a moist and fluffy vanilla flavored crumb, topped by a lush cream cheese frosting. This easy sugar-free cupcakes recipe is absolutely fail-safe and suitable even for baking novices!
For those following a ketogenic diet, the desire for a sweet treat can be challenging. Traditional cupcakes, laden with sugar and wheat flour, are off-limits. However, with the rise of keto-friendly baking, enjoying a cupcake without derailing your diet is now a delicious reality.
Why Keto Cupcakes?
Keto cupcakes offer a guilt-free indulgence, allowing you to satisfy your sweet tooth while staying within your carb limits. By replacing high-carb ingredients with low-carb alternatives like almond flour, coconut flour, and sugar-free sweeteners, these cupcakes deliver the same satisfying taste and texture as their traditional counterparts.
Key Ingredients for Keto Cupcakes
The secret to successful keto cupcakes lies in using the right ingredients. Here's a breakdown of the most common and effective components:
- Almond Flour: A staple in keto baking, almond flour provides a tender crumb and nutty flavor. Ground almonds are equivalent to regular almond flour in the US. You can also use 275 grams or 2 ¾ cup of almond flour.
- Coconut Flour: Known for its high fiber content and unique ability to absorb liquids, coconut flour adds a slightly sweet taste and contributes to a moist texture.
- Sweeteners: Granular sweeteners like erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, allulose, or Bocha Sweet provide sweetness without the carbs. Keep in mind that allulose may make the cupcakes brown faster.
- Eggs: Large, room-temperature eggs are essential for binding the ingredients and creating a light and airy texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cupcakes. Melted and cooled butter is typically used. For a dairy-free version, replace the butter with coconut oil.
- Cream Cheese: Contributes to the moistness and tangy flavor of both the cupcake and the frosting. Use full-fat cream cheese for best results. Replace the cream cheese with coconut cream to make them dairy-free.
- Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cupcakes rise.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cupcakes. For a luxury version of this recipe, use the seeds from 1 vanilla pod instead!
- Protein Powder: This is optional but it really does help the cupcakes rise better and be fluffier. You can use whey protein, egg white protein, or plant-based protein. Collagen peptides will not work here. You can also use chocolate or vanilla protein powder, if you don’t have unflavored.
- Cold Coffee or Water: Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor, but water works too.
Basic Keto Cupcake Recipe
This recipe makes the most decadent and moist low-carb chocolate cupcakes. These almond flour cupcakes are perfect for birthday parties or any other occasion. This recipe is low-carb, keto, banting, Atkins, gluten-free, diabetic diet-friendly.
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Ingredients:
Cupcake Batter
- 4 eggs (large, room temperature)
- ½ cup / 114g butter (melted, then cooled)
- ¼ cup / 60g cream cheese
- ¼ cup / 60ml unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup / 100g granulated sweetener (use up to ⅔ cup if you like sweeter cupcakes)
- 2 cup / 200g almond flour
- ¼ cup / 30g coconut flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ¾ cup / 170g butter (room temperature)
- 9.5 oz / 270g cream cheese (room temperature)
- Powdered Sweetener
Instructions:
Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180 C) and line a muffin/cupcake pan with paper cups or parchment or silicone liners.
- In a large bowl using an electric mixer or in a food processor, beat the room temperature eggs until pale, thick and double in size. This takes about 2 minutes.
- Now add the sweetener, melted and cooled butter, cream cheese, unsweetened almond milk and vanilla extract. Continue beating for a further minute.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, cocoa powder, protein powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Then add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and blend until you have a smooth batter. Stir in the coffee about 1/4 cup at a time until the batter is thick but easily scoopable.
- Fill the cupcake batter into 9-10 paper cups, dividing evenly among the prepared muffin cups. You can probably stretch the batter to 10 cups.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean and the tops are just firm to the touch.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- It is absolutely essential the both the butter and the cream cheese are room temperature. Heat fridge-cold for 20-30 seconds in the microwave.
- First, mix the butter using an electric mixer. Then, add the cream cheese and beat until fully combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and then slowly pour in the powdered sweetener. Mix on medium until light and fluffy (~2 minutes). You may need to scrape down the sides in the middle of mixing.
Frosting Your Keto Cupcakes
Frosting is the crowning glory of any cupcake, and keto cupcakes are no exception. Here are some popular keto-friendly frosting options:
- Cream Cheese Frosting: A classic choice, cream cheese frosting is tangy, creamy, and pairs well with vanilla or chocolate cupcakes.
- Chocolate Frosting: For chocolate lovers, a rich and decadent chocolate frosting is a must.
- Strawberry Buttercream Frosting: A delightful twist on classic buttercream, this frosting incorporates real strawberry puree for a burst of fruity flavor.
- Dairy-Free Keto Icing: For those avoiding dairy, a dairy-free keto icing made with coconut cream offers a lighter, sleeker option.
Tips for Frosting:
- Always let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Use a piping bag with a frosting tip for a polished and elegant look.
- If you don't have a piping bag, use a Ziploc bag with a small hole cut in one corner or simply spread the frosting with a knife or spoon.
Variations and Flavor Ideas
One of the best things about keto cupcakes is their versatility. Here are some flavor variations to inspire your baking:
- Chocolate Cupcakes: Add ½ cup cocoa powder to the batter and increase the milk by 2-4 tablespoons, or as needed.
- Red Velvet Cupcakes: Add a few drops of red food coloring to the batter.
- Chocolate Chip Cupcakes: Fold through ½-1 cup of sugar-free chocolate chips to the batter.
- Lemon Cupcakes: Replace the almond milk with lemon juice and grate in fresh lemon zest. Add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the batter.
- Peanut Butter Cupcakes: Swap the cream cheese with soft peanut butter.
- Keto Funfetti Cupcakes: Add 1-2 tbsp of sprinkles to the batter.
- Keto Chocolate Orange Cake: This recipe has stood the test of time and is one of my favorite keto cake recipes.
- Samoa Bundt Cake: This recipe has stood the test of time and is one of my favorite keto cake recipes.
- Keto Chocolate Donuts: Even my Keto Chocolate Donuts are based on this batter!
Tips for Baking with Coconut Flour
The hardest thing about working with coconut flour is that it varies brand to brand. Some are super absorbent and others are less so, so you need to adjust the liquid accordingly. This is why I recommend adding just a little at a time. The description of the batter should guide you to know when it’s ready.
Storage Instructions
Cupcakes like these are fine on the counter for up to three days or in the fridge for up to a week. Store keto cupcakes in the fridge if you don't eat them on the same day. You can also store them in an airtight container the refrigerator for a week or in the freezer for several months. If possible, freeze them plain and add the frosting before you serve. However, it's possible to freeze them with the frosting as well.
Nutritional Information
These keto chocolate cupcakes have 5.6g carbs and 3.2g fiber unfrosted, so they have 2.4g net carbs per cupcake. With the frosting listed in the recipe, they have 6.2g of carbs and 3.2g of fiber. One sugar free cupcake contains only 3.5g net carbs, making it 100% suitable for anyone on keto.
Read also: Keto-Friendly Coffee Cake Recipe
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