Keto Chocolate Cheesecake

With layers of a brownie batter flavored base, luscious chocolate cheesecake, and a topping of chocolate ganache this easy gluten free Keto Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe is any chocolate lover's dream. My no-bake chocolate cheesecake will be the best low carb dessert you've ever tried.

When I saw a video for a no-bake brownie batter cheesecake floating around on Facebook I knew it would be the perfect partner to my no-bake cookie dough cheesecake! Brownie batter is just as good to eat from the bowl as cookie dough is. I had to give it a try as a cheesecake too.

And it came out perfect. This keto chocolate cheesecake is rich, decadent, and can even be made as mini cheesecakes for portion control. This easy low carb chocolate cheesecake recipe is also gluten free, grain free, sugar free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.

What You Need

Brownie Crust 

Almond Flour - you can sub in sunflower seed flour to make this cheesecake nut free.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - raw cocoa powder works too.

Sweetener - I use a blend of erythritol, stevia, and xylitol. I give alternatives in the recipe card.

Butter - I use salted butter to contrast the sweetness.

Cream Cheese - any brand of cream cheese is fine.

Gelatin - you want plain unsweetened gelatin and you add it to the crust in its powdered form. It is optional but gives a little boost of protein.

Vanilla - any vanilla extract is fine in this recipe.

Cheesecake Filling 

Dissolved Gelatin - to get the gelatin ready for the cheesecake you simply sprinkle it over cold water and then mix in hot water until it is dissolved.

Cream Cheese - I use full fat cream cheese but low fat cream cheese can work as well. Just make sure your cream cheese room temperature before mixing.

Sweetener -  if you want to grind your sweetener or use a powdered sweetener you can. I don't find this cheesecake gritty with granular sweetener but using a powdered sweetener can eliminate that possibility entirely.

Cocoa Powder - make sure to choose one that tastes good to you.

Heavy Cream - makes a no-bake cheesecake extra creamy.

Sour Cream - I love how the tang of sour cream balances the creaminess of the cream cheese.

Vanilla - just a little enhances the other flavors.

Baking Soda - just a pinch cuts the bitterness from the cocoa powder.

Ganache Topping 

Sugar Free Chocolate Chips - any chips will work, milk chocolate chips, semi sweet chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips.

Heavy Cream - heavy whipping cream, light cream, or even half and half work in ganache.

How to Make Keto Chocolate Cheesecake

This no bake chocolate cheesecake has three layers so there are three steps. But each is pretty simple so don't get intimidated. You start with the perfect chocolate cheesecake crust - it tastes just like raw brownie batter combined with a chocolate graham cracker crust! Then, my no bake cheesecake filling is creamy and rich. And how can you have a gluten free chocolate cheesecake without a little melted chocolate topping?

Step One: Pulse the ingredients for the crust in your food processor. It will look like clumps of dirt.

Pour them into a springform pan and press down to make an even crust. You can do this with your fingers or with an upside-down measuring cup.

Step Two: Process the bloomed (dissolved) gelatin and the other ingredients for the chocolate cream cheese filling in the same food processor (no need to wash it).

Expert Tip: Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer or electric mixer. Mix the crust ingredients, which should look like cookie crumbs mixed with melted butter. Then press into the pan, and then beat cream cheese until fluffy and add the other ingredients.

Spread the chocolate cream cheese mixture on top of the prepared chocolate crust. Chill for at least one hour at this point.

Step Three: Make the ganache. Spread the chocolate ganache gently over the cheesecake filling.

Variations

Peppermint - I love the combination of chocolate and mint around the holidays. Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract into the cheesecake filling and half a teaspoon into the ganache.

Mocha - Love coffee? Add a tablespoon of either instant espresso powder or instant coffee powder into the filling.

Pie Plate - If you'd like to make this in a pie plate instead of a springform pan you may. But I would suggest halving the amount of filling or it may not fit.

Topping - You can top this with whipped cream instead of ganache if you prefer. Just beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form and then add a powdered sugar style sweetener to taste.

Common Questions

How do I make smooth ganache?

My tip for ganache is just to mix, mix, and mix some more. As you mix it thickens and gets glossy. You are looking for a smooth, thick, glossy texture. Sometimes I make ganache with unsweetened chocolate, sweetener, and cream but this time I kept it simple and just used sugar-free chocolate chips.

How can I Make Chocolate Less Bitter?

Making the no-bake keto chocolate cheesecake filling chocolaty without being bitter was the key to this recipe. I decided to add a pinch of baking soda and that did the trick!

Using Gelatin in No Bake Cheesecake

Over the years I've finally mastered the art of blooming gelatin to use in cheesecake. At first, I was afraid to add hot water to melt the gelatin. Truth. I thought it would water down the cheesecake. So I'd add less water, not dissolve the gelatin properly, and end up with clumpy cheesecake.

Then I tried just adding the powdered gelatin. This works well for a soft set cheesecake. But if you want a nice firm no-bake cheesecake you need gelatin. And you have to dissolve it. Go ahead and add the hot water. It will be ok. You need it.

How to Make Cheesecake in the Food Processor

This is the easiest way to make any cheesecake but especially a low carb cheesecake when you are making all the components from scratch! You can mix up the crust and then make the filling without even washing it!

Just add the crust ingredients and process until they come together in large crumbs. Then press those into your pan and add the filling ingredients. Process again until smooth, scraping the sides as needed.

When I starting working on this low carb keto chocolate cheesecake recipe I used a couple of my low carb recipes for brownies as a beginning point. I left out the eggs and worked on making the batter into more of a crust texture without losing that brownie taste. I think I did a pretty good job!

 

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📖 Recipe

More Keto Cheesecakes

Keto No-Bake Cheesecake - Looking for a non-chocolate version? You can make this cheesecake with lemon, lime, or vanilla!

Keto Blueberry Cheesecake - I love this dessert with both blueberries baked in and fresh berries on top with a graham cracker style pie crust.

Cannoli Cheesecake - You can't go wrong with a no-bake cheesecake that tastes just like a cannoli.

Keto Oreo Cheesecake Bites - These taste like classic oreo cookies are mixed in.

Salted Caramel Cashew Cheesecake - This is definitely a special occasion dessert with rich salted caramel and plenty of cashews.

Keto Cheesecake Fluff - While not an official cheesecake this tastes like one in only five minutes.

Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake - This one is perfect for the fall and Thanksgiving.

 

Originally Published July 16, 2018. Revised and Republished March 10, 2023.