For those following a ketogenic diet, finding satisfying desserts can be a challenge. But fear not, chocolate lovers! These Keto German Chocolate Brownies offer a rich, fudgy, and intensely chocolatey experience without the guilt. They capture the essence of classic German chocolate cake in a convenient brownie form, perfect for satisfying cravings while staying within your macros.
The Allure of Keto Brownies
Brownies, in general, are a beloved treat, but traditional recipes are often loaded with sugar and carbohydrates. Keto brownies provide a delightful alternative, allowing you to indulge in a chocolatey dessert without derailing your ketogenic lifestyle. With careful selection of ingredients and a few clever substitutions, you can enjoy a batch of brownies that are both delicious and macro-friendly.
Why German Chocolate Brownies?
German chocolate cake is known for its moist chocolate cake layers and a distinctive coconut pecan frosting. This brownie recipe captures those signature flavors in a fudgy, convenient package. The combination of rich chocolate and the sweet, nutty topping creates a truly irresistible treat.
Key Ingredients and Their Roles
- Almond Flour: Almond flour serves as the base for these keto brownies, providing a gluten-free and low-carb alternative to traditional wheat flour.
- Cocoa Powder: High-quality cocoa powder is essential for achieving a rich chocolate flavor.
- Erythritol: Erythritol is a popular keto-friendly sweetener that provides sweetness without significantly impacting blood sugar levels.
- Chocolate Chunks: Using sugar-free chocolate chunks or chopped dark baking chocolate (85-99% cacao) enhances the chocolate intensity and adds a delightful texture.
- Butter: Butter contributes to the brownies' moistness and richness.
- Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and contribute to the brownies' structure.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder provides a bit of lift, resulting in a slightly lighter brownie.
- Instant Coffee: A touch of instant coffee enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Evaporated Milk: This is a sugar-free version of condensed milk.
- Xanthan Gum: It is used in the frosting.
- Egg Yolks: Egg yolks act as the thickener in the topping, making it more stable.
- Sweetener: A combination of Swerve and allulose for the topping
- Shredded Coconut: Unsweetened shredded coconut provides the signature coconut flavor and texture of German chocolate frosting.
- Pecans: Finely chopped pecans add a nutty crunch and complement the coconut flavor.
- Dark Chocolate: A drizzle of melted dark chocolate adds a final touch of decadence.
Recipe: Keto German Chocolate Brownies
This recipe combines a fudgy keto brownie base with a rich coconut pecan topping, finished with a drizzle of dark chocolate.
Ingredients:
For the Brownies:
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup powdered erythritol sweetener
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 4 ounces sugar-free dark chocolate, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the German Chocolate Topping:
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup Swerve granular sweetener
- 1/4 cup allulose
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
For the Chocolate Drizzle:
- 2 ounces sugar-free dark chocolate
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions:
- Prepare the Brownie Batter: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch or 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease with butter. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, erythritol, and instant coffee. Be sure to whisk out all the clumps from the erythritol.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, melt butter and chocolate for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until just melted. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla then gently whisk in the dry ingredients just until mixed through. Be careful not to over mix the batter or it will become cakey.
- Bake the Brownies: Transfer batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out moist. Do not overbake the batter. If the batter looks jiggly, remove it from the oven after 25 minutes and it will set at room temperature. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare the German Chocolate Topping: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the cream, egg yolks, sweeteners, and butter. Cook until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, coconut, and pecans until well combined.
- Assemble the Brownies: Spread the coconut pecan topping evenly over the cooled brownie base.
- Drizzle with Chocolate: In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, melt the chocolate and coconut oil. Drizzle over the brownies.
- Chill and Serve: Let the brownies cool completely, or chill in the refrigerator for easier slicing. Cut into squares and serve.
Tips for Perfect Keto German Chocolate Brownies
- Use High-Quality Chocolate: The quality of your chocolate will significantly impact the flavor of the brownies. Opt for sugar-free dark chocolate with a high cocoa content for the best results.
- Don't Overbake: Overbaking can result in dry, crumbly brownies. Bake just until the center is set but still slightly moist.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Keto sweeteners can vary in sweetness. Adjust the amount of erythritol or other sweeteners to your preference.
- Get Creative with Toppings: Feel free to add other keto-friendly toppings, such as chopped nuts, sugar-free chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of sea salt.
- For a Fudgier Texture: I prefer a fudgy consistency to my keto brownies, so I always remove them from the oven when the center still seems a tiny bit wet. But if you prefer a cakier consistency, bake them 4 or 5 minutes longer, until the center seems dry.
- Watch the Frosting: Be sure to keep your eye on the German chocolate frosting at all times. Because it contains egg yolks, it can thicken up suddenly and quickly.
- Sweetener Options: I usually use Swerve Granular in the brownies and a combination of Swerve and allulose in the topping. Allulose helps make it gooier but it’s not a requirement. Just know that using mostly erythritol-based sweeteners will cause the topping to firm up quite a bit. If you are trying to cut down on erythritol, I recommend making the brownies with a combination of Swerve and allulose or Swerve and some stevia or monk fruit extract. The granular sweetener does help the consistency of the brownies so I don’t recommend swapping it altogether.
Variations and Adaptations
- Nut-Free Option: For those with nut allergies, consider using sunflower seed flour or coconut flour as a substitute for almond flour. Be sure to adjust the liquid content accordingly, as these flours absorb moisture differently.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter in both the brownie base and the topping for a dairy-free version.
- Add a Kick: Incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of cinnamon into the brownie batter for a touch of warmth and spice.
Storage Instructions
Store these brownies in a covered container on the counter for up to 4 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them for several months.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Nutritional Information
Most German Chocolate Brownie recipes have 26 to 30g of carbs per serving. But this keto version has only 4g of carbs and 2.1g of fiber. So it has 1.9g net carbs per serving.
The History of German Chocolate
German chocolate is not actually German at all, but American. It’s named after Samuel German, a baker who created a form of sweet baking chocolate. The original cake recipe was made with German’s chocolate in 1957. Since then, any chocolate recipe that has the distinctive coconut pecan frosting is referred to as “German Chocolate”.
Other Keto Brownie Recipes
- Easy One-Bowl Keto Brownies: These brownies have a secret ingredient to make them extra fudgy and chewy.
- Coconut Flour Brownies: These coconut flour brownies are so rich and fudgy, no one will ever guess they are keto-friendly.
- Keto Peanut Butter Brownies: These fudge low carb brownies are topped with a rich sugar free peanut butter fudge and a sweet chocolate glaze.
- Keto Almond Joy Brownies: These Keto Almond Joy Brownies embody the best of your favorite candy bar in a healthy, sugar-free dessert.
- Keto Cheesecake Brownies: These Keto Cheesecake Brownies are the perfect marriage of delicious flavors.
- Peppermint Bark Keto Brownies: Keto Peppermint Bark Brownies have a tender brownie crust and a creamy white chocolate peppermint frosting.
- Keto Brownie in a Mug: This keto brownie in a mug is gooey and decadent, and serves just one person.
- Air Fryer Brownies: Ooey gooey Air Fryer Brownies that fit your keto diet
- Slow Cooker Brownies: These keto treats and tastes like it couldn’t possibly be low carb.
- Cookies and Cream Keto Brownies: Make your keto brownies next level with a rich cookies and cream frosting!
- Keto Salted Caramel Brownie Bites: Keto Salted Caramel Brownie Bites feature mini keto brownies filled with gooey sugar free caramel sauce.
- Keto Brownie Cheesecake: Keto Brownie Cheesecake is the best of all possible worlds, combining fudgy low carb brownies and sugar-free vanilla cheesecake.
- Keto Brownie Pie: You simply can't go wrong with this gooey Keto Brownie Pie.
- Cosmic Brownie Cookies: These keto cookies have rich chocolate flavor with a soft and chewy texture.
Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them.
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