Who says that eating sugar-free has to be boring? This delicious Sugar Free Cake recipe proves that to be absolutely wrong. Loaded with sweet flavors and, yes, even chocolate chips it is a hit with adults and kids alike! One piece of this simple cake recipe just won't be enough.
I love the taste of this cake. Using almond flour and other ingredients really creates such a light and delicious cake batter that bakes perfectly in the oven. This cake is so good. It just might have to be my birthday cake this year.
I love this recipe because there is a bit of wiggle room as well. I've baked this cake for a sweet weekend treat and served it at many fun family functions and activities.
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Based upon assumptions of an empty cake platter, it's safe to say that this simple cake recipe is a hit! I love introducing new sugar-free recipes to others!
For more sugar-free recipes be sure to check out my Keto Peanut Butter Cheesecake, Almond Flour Carrot Cake. as well as my Sugar Free Marshmallows with Toasted Coconut.
Ingredients
Just real natural ingredients in this recipe. No maltitol, sucralose, or artificial flavor. I prefer to use natural sweeteners and ingredients whenever possible.
Butter - Salted butter is the only butter I buy. Often, unsalted butter is said to be the best butter to use when baking but I haven't found that to be true. The small amount of added salt balances the sweetness of the other ingredients. If you use unsalted butter you will need to add a pinch of salt. You can sub coconut oil if you want dairy-free.
Sweetener - You can use a sweetener of your choice, but my go-to sweetener for baking is Joy Filled Eats Natural Sweetener. It is a blend of xylitol, erythritol, and stevia that is twice as sweet as sugar with no aftertaste.
Heavy cream - Adds a nice texture to the cake. Using this ingredient means that this cake is not dairy free but you can sub coconut cream if you prefer.
Almond flour or almond meal - Almond flour is so simple to bake with while adding a hearty flavor. I used almond meal in this cake which is slightly coarser than almond flour and is ground with the skins on.
Eggs - Adding eggs is what binds together the ingredients.
Baking powder - Just a pinch of baking powder is all this simple cake recipe needs. Always check that it is within the date and fresh.
Vanilla - I like to use real vanilla extract for cakes and other dessert recipes.
Sugar-free chocolate chips - These add such a great chocolate taste! You can omit them if you prefer or use a flavored sugar-free chip such as peanut butter.
Pecans - Using pecans in cakes offers a great texture and flavor.
How to Make Sugar Free Cake
Below you'll find a shortened version of the instructions of this easy sugar free cake recipe. For a full version of ingredients and directions, scroll down to the bottom of the post.
Step One: Preheat the oven and grease the baking pan.
Step Two: Boil the butter, sweetener, and cream in a small saucepan on the stove. Let cool.
Step Three: Mix the rest of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
Step Four: Pour the cooled cream mixture (the wet ingredients) with the other mixture (the dry ingredients) and combine. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and top with chocolate chips.
Expert Tip: If you stir in the chocolate chips they might melt from the residual heat of the boiled liquids. That is how I make my almond flour chocolate cake!
Step Five: Bake and let the cake cool completely. To keep the cake fresh, keep it stored in the fridge or in an airtight container at room temperature.
Expert Tip: This is a bit crumbly when warm (but so delicious!). If you want cleaner cut slices just chill before cutting.
Variations + Substitutions
Cocoa powder- If you want this to look more like a chocolate cake, you can easily add a bit of cocoa powder. I would suggest replacing ¼ cup of the almond flour with cocoa powder.
Glaze - Drizzling a light glaze over the top of melted chocolate chips or even using a homemade frosting can be a sweet addition. Adding a sugar free chocolate frosting would be delicious! I also think homemade cream cheese frosting would be great!
Leave out the nuts - If you're not a fan of pecans, leave them out! Or sub in walnuts, sliced almonds, or even macadamia nuts.
Shredded coconut - A fun texture that you can add to the cake batter is unsweetened shredded coconut. The flavor pairs really well with the almond flour, too.
Turn it into a bundt cake - Change up the baking pan, and you'll have a bundt cake that easy! You may need to double the batter and make sure to grease the bundt pan really well so it doesn't stick.
Make cupcakes - You can easily skip the cake pans and make cupcakes instead. This may adjust your baking time so pay attention to that if you make the switch. You could also add this cake mixture to a bundt pan too.
Add some lemon zest - Swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and add some zest or lemon extract. A little bit of citrus flavor is always welcomed!
Common Questions
Why is my cake dry?
Make sure that you follow the directions exactly for this cake recipe. Using almond flour can cause the cake to have a bit of a drier texture if the batter is overmixed. If you're worried that the mixture looks dry after making it, you can add in a bit of olive oil or even a little more egg.
Is this cake recipe gluten free?
It is! Using almond flour (or coconut flour) in the cake is a simple way to make a gluten-free dessert! Why should gluten issues limit your chance to be a part of the dessert celebration? Just be sure that if you do flour dusting on your cake pan, you stick to the almond flour or coconut flour process.
How do you know when a cake is done baking?
The easiest way to check the doneness of a cake is to do the toothpick test. Stick a clean toothpick into the center of the cake. The cake is done and ready to start the cooling process if it comes out clean.
What is the best pan size for cakes?
This is totally up to you. I like to use square pans and round cake pans as well. If I'm using a round cake pan, I like the 9-inch rounds best. 8-inch rounds will work as well! Whatever you use, make sure to grease the entire pan.
Can I freeze a baked cake?
Absolutely. Just make sure that you store it in a freezer-safe container and let it cool down completely before adding it.
Is this cake recipe low carb?
Using almond flour means that that portion of the recipe is keto-friendly and good for keto diets, but that doesn't mean that the cake overall is carb free or part of a low calorie diet. For the full number of carbs and nutrient content, the recipe card will go over that information in detail.
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📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups almond flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup sugar free chocolate chips
- ½ cup pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8x8 baking dish.
- In a small saucepan bring the butter, sweetener, and heavy cream to a gentle boil. Let cool until room temperature, about 15 minutes.
- Stir together the other ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Add the cooled cream mixture to the batter and mix thoroughly. Spread in the prepared pan. Top with chocolate chips and press them down into the batter with your fingers.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Lindsay Milligan says
These are great! Crumbly but I like to heat them up a bit and then eat them for dessert. I wish I had used more pecans as I only had a handful so definitely make them as directed!
Rose McCrumb says
Yummy
Pat says
You didn't leave an alternative note for the sweetener.
Taryn says
Sorry about that! It's the same on any of my dessert posts. I just added it.