Keto Raspberry Bars Recipe: Sweet, Tart, and Guilt-Free

For those following a ketogenic diet or simply watching their carbohydrate intake, the idea of enjoying a sweet treat like a raspberry bar might seem impossible. However, with a few clever ingredient swaps, it's entirely possible to create delicious and satisfying keto-friendly raspberry bars that won't derail your health and wellness goals. These bars combine the tangy sweetness of raspberries with a buttery crust and, in some variations, a creamy coconut or cheesecake layer, making them a perfect dessert or snack.

Why Raspberry Bars Are a Great Keto Dessert

Raspberries themselves are a fantastic choice for keto dieters. Half a cup of raspberries contains only about 3g of net carbs, making them one of the lowest-carb fruits available. They're also packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, adding a nutritional boost to your dessert.

Traditional raspberry bars are often loaded with sugar and white flour, making them unsuitable for a keto diet. This recipe swaps those ingredients for keto-friendly alternatives like almond flour and erythritol, significantly reducing the carb count while maintaining a delicious flavor and satisfying texture.

Key Ingredients and Their Keto-Friendly Substitutions

To make these raspberry bars keto-friendly, several key ingredient swaps are necessary:

• Flour: Traditional white flour is replaced with almond flour, which is low in carbs, high in healthy fats, and adds a slightly nutty flavor. Coconut flour or sunflower seed flour can also be used, although they may alter the texture and color slightly.
• Sugar: Refined sugar is replaced with keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit. These sweeteners provide sweetness without spiking blood sugar levels. Sukrin Gold is a good substitute for brown sugar.
• Jam: Traditional raspberry jam is high in sugar. To avoid the sugar, you can make sugar-free raspberry preserves.

Types of Keto Raspberry Bars

There are several variations of keto raspberry bars, each with its own unique flavor and texture profile:

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Keto Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

These bars feature a creamy cheesecake filling with a swirl of raspberry puree. The cheesecake filling is typically made with cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, and a keto-friendly sweetener. The raspberry swirl adds a burst of fruity flavor and a beautiful marbled effect.

Keto Raspberry Crumble Bars

These bars have a buttery almond flour crust, a layer of raspberry jam, and a crumbly topping made with almond flour, sweetener, and butter. The crumble topping adds a delightful textural contrast to the soft jam filling.

Keto Raspberry Coconut Bars

These bars feature a shortbread crust, a layer of raspberry filling, and a coconut topping made with eggs, butter, sweetener, and shredded coconut. The coconut topping adds a chewy sweetness that complements the tart raspberries.

Keto Raspberry Lemonade Bars

These bars offer a tangy twist with the addition of lemon juice and zest to the raspberry filling. They are perfect for those who prefer a pucker-inducing dessert that isn't overly sweet.

General Tips for Making Keto Raspberry Bars

• Use a 9x9 inch pan: An 9x9 inch pan is recommended for baking.
• Preheat the oven: Always preheat your oven to the specified temperature (usually 325°F or 350°F) before baking.
• Line the baking pan with parchment paper: This makes it easy to remove the bars from the pan after baking and prevents them from sticking.
• Cool completely before cutting: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares. This will prevent them from crumbling.
• Use a plastic knife: For clean cuts, use a plastic knife and run it under hot water for a couple of minutes before slicing.
• Store in the refrigerator: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
• Freeze for longer storage: For longer storage, wrap the bars tightly and freeze them for up to a month.

Recipes

Easy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

• Crust:
  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/4 cup erythritol or other keto-friendly sweetener
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
• Cheesecake Filling:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup erythritol or other keto-friendly sweetener
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Raspberry Swirl:
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 1 tablespoon keto-friendly sweetener
  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine almond flour and sweetener for the crust. Add melted butter and mix until a dough forms. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
4. In a saucepan over medium heat, add raspberries, chia seeds, sugar-free maple syrup, water, and keto confectioners sugar. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes whisking occasionally to avoid sticking. Add in xanthan gum at the end whisking quickly to thicken the filling.
5. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs, sweetener, and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
6. Spoon the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust.
7. Dollop mashed berries over the top of cheesecake filling and then use a knife to swirl and distribute the raspberries to give it that marble look.
8. Place in 350ºF oven for 25-35 minutes or until cheesecake is set.
9. Remove from oven and allow to cool, then place in fridge and chill for a few hours before slicing.

Keto Raspberry Jam Bars

Ingredients:

• Crust & Crumble:
  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup sweetener
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons oats
• Raspberry Filling:
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 2 tablespoons sweetener
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9 inch square pan with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the crust by combining the cold butter, flour, sweetener, egg, and vanilla in a food processor. Process until a dough forms.
3. Press 2/3 of the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
4. Combine the raspberries, sweetener, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until bubbly. Add the xanthan gum and mix well.
5. Pour the jam over the crust.
6. Add the crumble ingredients (except the oats, if using) to the food processor. Pulse until large crumbs form. Add the oats and pulse just until they are mixed in.
7. Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture over the raspberry filling.
8. Bake for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
9. Let cool, cut, and serve.

Keto Raspberry Coconut Bars

Ingredients:

• Crust:
  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/4 cup sweetener
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 egg
• Raspberry Filling:
  • 1/2 cup sugar-free raspberry preserves
• Coconut Topping:
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup sweetener
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup shredded coconut

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line an 8 x 8" square baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix flour, butter, cream cheese and sugar in a bowl using a pastry cutter until mixture is crumbly.
3. Alternatively, you can use a food processor and pulse ingredients until crumbly. Add egg and process a few times until egg is incorporated.
4. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan.
5. Bake 375 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Meanwhile, add eggs to a medium-sized mixing bowl and beat with a whisk. Add sugar, almond extract, and coconut flakes to the bowl. Stir until incorporated.
7. Remove crust from oven and spread raspberry filling evenly over crust.
8. Top with the egg and coconut filling, spreading evenly over the crust and raspberry layer.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
10. Allow bars to cool completely then remove from pan and cut into 20 squares.

Variations and Add-Ins

• Other berries: Feel free to swap the raspberries for blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries.
• Nuts: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the crust or crumble topping for added flavor and texture.
• Coconut flakes: Sprinkle coconut flakes on top of the bars before baking for a tropical twist.
• Lemon zest: Add lemon zest to the crust or filling for a brighter flavor.
• Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the crust or crumble topping for a warm, comforting flavor.
• Dairy-free: Replace the butter with coconut oil and the cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

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