Imagine a low carb cake that’s moist, flavorful, perfectly sweet, and is drizzled in a vanilla glaze. That’s precisely what you get when you make this Keto Vanilla Cake! Perfect as a keto birthday cake, for dinners, or any other occasion you can think of. This easy keto cake has only 3.2 net carbs per slice and is low carb, sugar-free, and gluten-free.
If you’re anything like me, part of the fun of going to events like weddings, dinner parties, and birthday celebrations is for the CAKE! Nowadays, many people eat low carb or gluten-free diets, so it’s becoming more frequent that there are desserts and other foods readily available. But, even if there isn’t, I know that I can make my own dessert when I get home and will be just as satisfied.
Cake has always been a weakness because it’s so delicious! Thankfully, now that I make this keto vanilla cake, I can enjoy it without all the guilt. It’s made of much healthier ingredients, and the texture and flavor are delightful and are sure to cure your sweet tooth. And if you are in the mood for some chocolate, try this classic yellow birthday cake with chocolate icing. YUM!
Switching to Low Carb Baking
Making the switch to using alternative flours and sweeteners can be challenging. I know if you are just starting out eating low carb, there is a learning curve. But this keto cake recipe is very good. I promise! After you get the hang of low carb baking, you will find that the desserts are just as good if not better than the original traditional recipes. Is this keto cake identical to something that isn’t low carb? No, it’s not, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious! Try it for yourself, and you will see how great it is.
Ingredients For Keto Vanilla Cake
All you need is 11 super simple ingredients to make this tasty keto cake recipe. Don’t you just love recipes that aren’t a lot of fuss to make?
Almond Flour & Coconut Flour - I use this combination in most of my baked goods. It gives a tender crumb and keeps the product moist.
Refined Coconut Oil - I choose refined so this doesn't have a coconut flavor.
Sweetener - My sweetener of choice is a blend of xylitol, erythritol, and stevia. The recipe for my sweetener is here. It tastes great and is twice as sweet as white sugar. I do offer alternatives in the recipe card if you prefer to use another sweetener such as a monk fruit blend.
Egg Whites - I chose to use just egg whites in this recipe so it was white in color. I wanted a white cake, not a yellow cake. If you don't care about that you can use 3 whole eggs instead of the 6 egg whites.
Clear Vanilla - Using clear will keep the vanilla from changing the color of the cake or icing. You can use regular vanilla if you prefer!
Sour Cream - The sour cream will give it a rich and moist flavor.
Powdered Erythritol - Using powdered erythritol is how the icing gets its sweetness without refined sugar.
Heavy Cream - Add some healthy fat and texture to the icing with the heavy cream.
Baking Powder - Always make sure your baking powder is within the date and fresh.
What Is Clear Vanilla?
If you don’t do a lot of baking, you may not have ever heard of clear vanilla. Clear vanilla is actually just like regular vanilla extract, except that it doesn’t have that traditional dark brown color anymore.
When baking a dark-colored cake, regular vanilla is perfect because you can’t even tell what color it is. When you make something with white or even yellow color, often, the regular vanilla will change the color. So, the solution is clear vanilla. It’s perfect if you are baking, and it’s especially great for the icing that is drizzled on this keto vanilla cake.
How To Make Keto Vanilla Cake
Just a few simple steps and you will be indulging in a piece of keto vanilla cake in no time! Here are the easy directions:
First Step: Warm the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a loaf pan by adding parchment paper and giving it a spray or non-stick cooking spray.
Second Step: Cream together the butter and sweetener until it becomes light and fluffy, then add in the sour cream and vanilla. Once combined, add in the egg whites one at a time. Mix after adding each one.
Third Step: Slowly add in the flour, baking powder, and salt and mix together. Pour the cake batter into the pan.
Fourth Step: Bake the cake for 35-40 minutes or until set and cool completely.
Fifth Step: Mix together the powdered erythritol, heavy cream, and clear vanilla until they are smooth. Drizzle onto the top of the cake and serve.
More Flavor Ideas
Frosting: Swap out the glaze for icing. This is delicious with cream cheese frosting, chocolate frosting, raspberry frosting, or even a caramel frosting.
Strawberry Shortcake: This vanilla cake makes a lovely base for a strawberry shortcake. To make this classic into a keto dessert just skip the glaze, top with some sugar free whipped cream, and serve with berries.
Lemon: For a lovely lemon flavor swap out the heavy whipping cream in the glaze for lemon juice and then top with some lemon zest.
Can I make this into cupcakes? Or a layer cake?
Yes, to make this keto cake into cupcakes you can simply put the batter into a paper-lined (and sprayed with cooking spray) muffin tin. It will make 8-12 cupcakes. They need to bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.
As is, this will only make one layer of a layer cake. To make two layers just double the recipe. I recommend lining your cake pans with parchment paper just like I lined my loaf pan.
This makes a delightful low carb keto birthday cake when the batter is doubled and baked in two 9-inch round cake pans. Then just frost with your icing of choice and decorate with some sugar free sprinkles!
Like what you see? Follow me on Facebook! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Joy Filled Eats
Keto Vanilla Cake
Ingredients
- ¼ cup refined coconut oil melted
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 6 egg whites
- ½ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 1 cup almond flour
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Glaze
- 3 tablespoon powdered sweetener
- 1-2 tablespoon heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon clear vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- In a bowl with an electric mixer mix the coconut oil and clear vanilla. Add the sour cream and beat until combined. Add the sweetener. Add the egg whites one at a time mixing after each.
- Stir in the flours, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined. Spread in the prepared pan.
- Bake at 350 for 35-40 min. The center should be set and not jiggly. Cool completely.
Glaze
- Stir together the glaze ingredients until smooth.
- Transfer cake to a serving platter and drizzle with the glaze.
Dorothy Nagle says
I forgot to ask about the 1/2 cup sweetener in cake portion, I understand I would use a 1/2 cup of Truvia spoonable, the SAME amount that you list in ingredients? Thank you!!
Taryn says
Yes, I think so.
Dorothy Nagle says
Sorry to be so hard of understanding...can you tell me if I am using Truvia spoonable, am I using 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons of Truvia (which would be half of the erythritol?). This cake sounds like an answer to my prayers!!
Taryn says
I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with that sweetener. Just try the amount listed and adjust to taste.
Naila says
Can you use honey instead of sweeteners and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, if yes how should I adjust the quantities?
Taryn says
I'm sorry, I haven't tested this with a liquid sweetener. Yogurt should be fine.
Susan says
This is the best.
Can you make this lemon?
Taryn says
Sure! Just use lemon extract or lemon zest instead of vanilla. Lemon juice doesn't have a strong enough flavor.
Liz says
I made this as a birthday cake for a friend who's on a keto diet! She was thrilled....we both thought it was excellent!
jesse says
I love moist cakes, and this one quite literally takes the cake! It is so good!
Rania says
Is there a way to make this dairy free?
Taryn says
I have not tested it dairy-free but I think subbing in coconut cream for the sour cream would work.
Timothy Stow says
How do I make changes so that I can make a large 13x9 deep pan of this cake. I want to make a Strawberry Poke Cake for a potluck dinner. Would I need to double the recipe or triple it? Thanks
Taryn says
I think you would need to triple it to fill a 9x13.
Lauren says
I love this recipe. I would like to see if there is a way to make the cake raise a little more. Any thoughts?
Taryn says
Alternative flours just don't rise as much as white flour. One thing that would help is beating the egg whites to stiff peaks and folding them in.
Laura says
Mine in oven now. Can't wait to try. How many servings is the nutritional info based on. Thank you for sharing!!
Taryn says
Hi Laura, this has 8 servings.
Peggy says
Love this keto-friendly vanilla cake. I have made it 4 times now and it is our weekly treat! Looking at the other luscious recipes too!
Rosina villella says
Hey, i like to make your keto vanilla cake but am confused you say add the vanilla twice in the cake mix
Taryn says
That was a typo. I edited it to clarify!
Dory Mena says
If using swerve, would that mean I need to use 1 cup or 3/4 cup?
Taryn says
3/4 cup should be fine.
Faith Germenis says
Can you sub the THM baking blend for the almond flour and coconut flour?
Taryn says
I have not tested it but I'm pretty sure that would work.
Rebekah P says
DELICIOUS!!! Followed the recipe as printed. I made it as a test to see if it was good enough for a birthday party cake and the answer is a DEFINITE YES!!! Heavier and moist like a pound cake without being dense. I baked in a 9x7 pan for 35 minutes with parchment paper. My boys gobbled it up. It stated if not using her own mixture of sweetener and using monk fruit to 1.5x the amount. It’s great but I don’t need it that sweet and will use the amount called for in the recipe next time. Not a complaint just a little change. Thank you for this great recipe!!!
ChrissyD says
Have you tried using less eggs and adding pumpkin purée for a pumpkin cake? Just thought it might be yummy for fall. I plan on trying it with 4 egg whites and a cup of pumpkin purée. Thanks for the recipe!
Taryn says
Lmk how that turns out! Sounds like a great idea.
Amber says
Can this be made into cupcakes? And if so, how long would it take in the oven? Thanks!
Taryn says
Yes. Cupcakes are generally 20-25 minutes. I'd suggest checking them at 15 and then every few minutes.
Jasi Lee says
Yum! I'm totally picky about cakes and typically won't give them a second try if it fails but this worked perfectly. Can't wait to play around with add-ins. Thanks for the recipe!
Enis says
Made this cake today. It was delicious, a little sweet. I used Swerve granular, 1/2 cup plus 1/4 cup for the cake. Next time I'll try using less sugar. I didn't make the glaze. Also wanted to know if the calorie count includes the glaze. Thank you.
Taryn says
The calories do include the glaze.
Jen says
Very delicious and moist cake. Would taste great with a berry sauce. This recipe is a keeper. It was sweet enough for me using half lakanto and half swerve granules.