For those following a ketogenic lifestyle, the desire for sweet treats doesn't disappear. Fortunately, the world of keto baking has expanded to offer a plethora of delicious and satisfying desserts, and coconut cream takes center stage in many of these recipes. Coconut cream adds richness, creaminess, and a natural sweetness that complements the low-carb approach. This article explores a variety of keto-friendly coconut cream desserts, providing recipes and tips that will allow you to indulge your sweet tooth without compromising your dietary goals.
Keto Coconut Cream Pie: A Classic Reimagined
One of the most beloved desserts gets a keto makeover with this recipe for Keto Coconut Cream Pie. This version features a creamy, rich, sugar-free custard nestled in a low-carb almond flour crust. The traditional pie is updated to be lower in carbs and easier to make, without sacrificing any of the delicious flavors.
Almond Flour Pie Crust
This simple almond flour pie crust requires only a few ingredients and minimal preparation time.
Luscious Coconut Custard Filling
The heart of this pie lies in its rich coconut custard filling. A combination of heavy cream and coconut cream creates a decadent base. Constant attention during cooking is essential to prevent curdling. Tempering the eggs by slowly whisking in some of the hot cream is a crucial step to ensure a smooth custard.
Troubleshooting and Setting
If the custard curdles, don't panic! A touch of xanthan gum or glucomannan can help it set properly. The pie needs to chill for a few hours to firm up.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Finishing Touches
Top the pie with a simple whipped cream topping and toasted flaked coconut for the perfect finishing touch. The pie can be prepped a day in advance, making it ideal for gatherings.
Recipe: Keto Coconut Cream Pie
Ingredients:
- Crust: Almond flour, sweetener, butter, egg.
- Filling: Heavy cream, coconut cream, eggs, egg yolk, powdered sweetener, salt, butter, coconut extract, vanilla extract, xanthan gum, shredded coconut.
- Topping: Whipping cream, sweetener, vanilla, toasted flaked coconut.
Instructions:
- Crust: Prepare and bake the almond flour crust.
- Filling: Combine heavy cream and coconut cream in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whisk eggs, egg yolk, powdered sweetener, and salt in a bowl. Temper the eggs by slowly stirring in hot cream. Whisk the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in butter, coconut extract, vanilla extract, xanthan gum, and shredded coconut. Pour the mixture into the baked pie crust and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours.
- Topping: Beat whipping cream, sweetener, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread over the chilled pie and sprinkle with toasted flaked coconut.
Keto Coconut Cream Bars: A Sweet and Fatty Treat
For a delightful coconut dessert that's high in healthy fats and free of added sugar, consider these Coconut Cream Bars. The addition of a chocolate layer elevates the flavor profile, reminiscent of almond joy. These bars can serve as a satisfying candy bar replacement.
Customization
Consider covering the bars entirely in chocolate for an even more indulgent treat.
Key Ingredient: Coconut Milk
Coconut milk plays a crucial role in these bars, providing saturated fat and minimal sugar.
Perfect for Holidays
These bars make an excellent addition to holiday dessert spreads, offering a keto-friendly alternative to traditional sugary treats.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Keto Chocolate Mousse: A 3-Ingredient Wonder
Indulge in a decadent Chocolate Mousse that is low-carb, egg-free, and dairy-free. This recipe proves that indulgence doesn’t need to be complicated.
Simple Indulgence
This quick chocolate mousse recipe uses only three ingredients to achieve a silky, luxurious texture.
Versatile Dessert
Serve this mousse as a stunning finish to any meal, pairing it with fresh and savory dishes for a balanced culinary experience.
Mousse vs. Pudding
The airy texture of this mousse distinguishes it from pudding, which is typically thicker and more custard-like. Whipped coconut cream provides the lightness in this recipe.
Dairy-Free Adaptation
For those avoiding dairy, coconut cream serves as an excellent substitute for heavy cream.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
Sweetener Options
Confectioners sweetener keeps the mousse low carb, but regular icing sugar can be used if carb count is not a concern.
Recipe: Keto Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients:
- Coconut cream (full fat)
- Confectioners sweetener
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Refrigerate sealed cans of coconut cream overnight.
- Carefully open the cans and scoop out the thick cream, discarding the liquid.
- Add the sweetener to the cream and beat until thick and creamy.
- Fold in the cocoa powder and salt, and beat until smooth and well combined.
- Refrigerate until set, or serve immediately.
Keto Coconut Cream Poke Cake: A Moist and Flavorful Delight
This Keto Poke Cake features a tender low-carb cake with a rich coconut cream filling and a sugar-free whipped cream topping. Inspired by traditional poke cake, this keto version uses healthier ingredients to create a moist and flavorful dessert.
The Appeal of Poke Cake
The poke cake method, which involves poking holes in the cake to absorb the filling, results in an exceptionally moist dessert.
Variations
Explore other keto poke cake variations, such as Peanut Butter Poke Cake, Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake, and Strawberry Poke Cake.
Key Components
The cake consists of an almond flour base, while the filling is a sugar-free coconut pudding. The cake is topped with keto whipped cream.
Essential Ingredients
- Almond flour: Provides a desirable texture for keto poke cake. Coconut flour can be used as an alternative.
- Shredded coconut: Adds texture and flavor to the cake batter and garnish.
- Sweeteners: Swerve Granular for the cake and allulose for the coconut cream filling are recommended.
- Protein powder: Helps the cake rise properly. Whey protein or egg white protein powder are suitable options.
- Oil: Avocado oil, melted coconut oil, or melted butter can be used.
- Eggs: Separated eggs are used to keep the cake light in color.
- Coconut Cream: Unsweetened coconut cream creates a creamy pudding consistency.
- Heavy whipping cream: Forms the classic whipped cream frosting.
- Extracts: Vanilla and coconut extract enhance the flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the batter: Whisk together dry ingredients, then stir in wet ingredients.
- Bake the cake: Spread the batter in a greased pan and bake until golden brown. Let cool and poke holes all over the cake.
- Temper the egg yolks: Combine coconut cream and sweetener in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whisk the egg yolks and slowly whisk in hot coconut cream to temper.
- Cook the filling: Cook the mixture until thickened, then pour over the cake, allowing it to sink into the holes. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Whip the cream: Whip cream, sweetener, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread over the chilled cake.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with shredded coconut.
Advance Preparation
The cake portion can be made a day or two in advance. The entire cake can also be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge.
Dietary Modifications
For a dairy-free option, use egg white protein powder in the cake and coconut whipped cream for the topping.
Sweetener Considerations
Allulose may cause the cake to brown quickly, so monitor it during baking. Powdered sweeteners are recommended for the whipped cream topping to avoid grittiness.
Recipe: Keto Coconut Cream Poke Cake
Ingredients:
- Cake: Almond flour, shredded coconut, sweetener, protein powder, baking powder, salt, oil, egg whites, vanilla extract, liquid (almond milk or water).
- Coconut Pudding: Coconut cream, sweetener, egg yolks, coconut extract.
- Topping: Cream, sweetener, vanilla extract, shredded coconut.
Keto Coconut Panna Cotta: A Tropical Twist on a Classic
This Coconut Panna Cotta recipe puts a tropical spin on the classic Italian dessert. Coconut milk replaces heavy cream, and granulated monk fruit sweetener provides a low-carb alternative to traditional sugar.
Simple Preparation
Panna cotta is known for its simplicity. The coconut milk mixture is heated, poured into ramekins, and refrigerated.
Achieving the Perfect Texture
Follow key tips to achieve a set-but-not-rubbery texture.
Key Ingredients
- Gelatin: Unflavored gelatin like Knox is essential.
- Full-fat coconut milk: Provides the rich and velvety base.
- Granulated monk fruit sweetener with allulose: Offers sweetness without the carbs.
- Coconut extract: Intensifies the coconut flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Whisk gelatin in water and set aside to bloom.
- Add coconut milk to a saucepan, then whisk in sweetener and salt. Heat until almost simmering.
- Take a portion of the hot coconut milk mixture and whisk it into the bloomed gelatin.
- Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate with plastic wrap on top.
- Unmold and serve with fresh fruit.
Serving Suggestions
Unmolding the panna cotta adds an elegant touch. Run a knife along the edge of the ramekin, then dip the base in warm water to release.
Recipe: Keto Coconut Panna Cotta
Ingredients:
- Water
- Gelatin
- Full-fat coconut milk
- Granulated monk fruit sweetener with allulose
- Salt
- Vanilla and coconut extract
Instructions:
- Bloom the gelatin in water.
- Heat coconut milk, sweetener, and salt in a saucepan.
- Whisk a portion of the hot mixture into the gelatin, then combine with the remaining mixture.
- Stir in vanilla and coconut extract.
- Pour into ramekins and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Unmold and serve with desired toppings.
Keto Coconut Cream Pie (Alternative Recipe): A Velvety Dream
This Keto Coconut Cream Pie features a flaky crust and a silky coconut filling. This recipe uses arrowroot powder as a thickener, and the custard filling is designed to be rich and velvety.
Flaky Pie Crust
The recipe starts with a keto pie crust made with almond flour, coconut flour, and butter.
Thick Custard Filling
The custard filling is thickened with arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch or xanthan gum.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the pie crust and blind-bake it.
- Prepare the coconut filling by heating milk, cream, and sweetener, then combining with egg yolks, arrowroot powder, and extracts.
- Pour the filling into the baked pie shell and bake until the edges are puffed and the center is jiggly.
- Cool, then chill in the refrigerator.
- Top with whipped cream and toasted coconut.
Recipe: Keto Coconut Cream Pie (Alternative)
Ingredients:
- Crust: Almond flour, coconut flour, xanthan gum, salt, butter, cream cheese, egg, vinegar.
- Filling: Milk, cream, sugar-free sweetener, egg yolks, arrowroot powder, butter, coconut and vanilla extracts, coconut cream.
- Topping: Whipping cream, sugar-free sweetener, vanilla, toasted coconut.
Keto Coconut Cream Jars
This recipe creates individual servings of coconut cream dessert in mason jars.
Recipe: Keto Coconut Cream Jars
Ingredients:
- Crust: Almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, melted butter.
- Coconut Cream Filling: Heavy whipping cream, stevia, monkfruit, almond flour, salt, xanthan gum, egg yolks.
Instructions:
- Crust: Mix crust ingredients and press into the bottom of mason jars.
- Coconut Cream Filling: Warm heavy whipping cream and stevia in a saucepan. Mix monkfruit, almond flour, salt, and xanthan gum in a bowl. Add the monkfruit mixture to the saucepan and stir until thickened. Temper egg yolks and add them back into the hot mixture. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Pour the filling into the jars and refrigerate until set.