An Introduction to Keto-Friendly Thanksgiving Desserts
Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating with family and friends over a delicious feast. For those following a ketogenic diet, the abundance of traditional high-carb Thanksgiving dishes can present a challenge. However, with a few simple ingredient swaps and recipe adjustments, you can still enjoy all your favorite treats in a keto-friendly version.
The key to creating keto desserts is using low-carb sweeteners like erythritol or stevia in place of sugar. Flours like almond flour, coconut flour, and flax meal can be used to make grain-free, keto pie crusts and baked goods. High fat ingredients like cream cheese, heavy cream, butter, and nuts lend rich flavor and help keep recipes low in carbs and high in healthy fats.
This article will share ten amazing keto-friendly Thanksgiving desserts to indulge in without the sugar crash later. From creamy pumpkin pie to chocolatey brownies, these recipes prove you don't have to miss out on dessert to follow a ketogenic diet.
Keto Pumpkin Pie
What is Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? This classic fall dessert gets a low-carb makeover so you can enjoy every last creamy bite.
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-baked keto pie crust
- 15 oz pumpkin puree
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered erythritol
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, beat together pumpkin, heavy cream, erythritol, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour filling into prepared pie crust.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes until center is just set.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing.
- Serve topped with whipped cream.
This pumpkin pie tastes just like the real thing with only 5g net carbs per slice! The combination of creamy pumpkin and warm spices will instantly get you in the Thanksgiving spirit.
Low-Carb Cheesecake
Cheesecake is always a crowd pleaser. This keto version is sweetened naturally with zero added sugar.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup erythritol
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pre-baked keto pie crust
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and erythritol together until smooth.
- Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Stir in sour cream and vanilla.
- Pour filling into prepared pie crust.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until center is almost set.
- Turn oven off and let cheesecake remain in oven another 30 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely before refrigerating overnight.
This cheesecake comes out perfectly smooth and rich with just 3g net carbs per slice. Top it with sugar-free chocolate sauce or fresh berries for extra flavor.
Keto Pecan Pie
Pecan pie gets its distinctive flavor from brown sugar. In this low-carb version, we use sugar-free maple syrup instead.
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-baked keto pie crust
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar free maple syrup
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, maple syrup, butter and vanilla.
- Stir in chopped pecans until evenly coated.
- Pour filling into prepared pie crust.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until set.
- Allow to cool at least 2 hours before slicing.
You'll never guess this pecan pie is low in carbs and sugar. The maple syrup gives it that familiar sweet flavor without the blood sugar spike!
Keto Apple Crisp
Warm apple crisp is the ultimate fall comfort food. This keto version uses grated zucchini in the topping for extra moisture.
Ingredients:
Filling:- 5 apples, peeled and chopped
- 2 tbsp erythritol
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup erythritol
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 cup grated zucchini
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, toss apples, erythritol, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until coated.
- Transfer to a greased 8x8 baking dish.
- In another bowl, combine almond flour, erythritol, cinnamon, melted butter, and zucchini. Stir until crumbly.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.
- Bake 35-40 minutes until apples are tender.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or low-carb ice cream.
This keto apple crisp is sweetened naturally and packs a huge serving of veggies into the topping. It's a dessert that's good for you!
Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
You can definitely still have chocolate chip cookies on a keto diet. These are so deliciously chewy and chocolaty, no one will guess they're low in carbs.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup erythritol
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup Lily's or other sugar-free chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and erythritol until fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly browned.
- Allow to cool on baking sheet before serving.
These keto chocolate chip cookies deliver on the rich chocolate flavor without all the carbs. Enjoy them warm with a glass of unsweetened almond milk.
Sugar-Free Hot Fudge
Drizzle this healthy keto hot fudge over your favorite low-carb ice cream or cheesecake for an extra dose of chocolatey richness.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup powdered erythritol
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder and erythritol.
- Stir in heavy cream and butter. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Let cool 15 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge.
This healthy homemade hot fudge comes together in just 10 minutes. It's the perfect keto-friendly ice cream topping.
Low-Carb Brownies
Fudgy, chocolatey brownies are totally possible on a keto diet. The secret is using avocado and coconut flour in the batter.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup erythritol
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8 pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, salt, and erythritol.
- Mix in melted coconut oil and eggs until smooth.
- Stir in avocado oil and vanilla.
- Add coconut flour and mix until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake 25-28 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing.
These keto brownies are fudgy perfection. Store any leftovers in the fridge for a quick chocolate fix all week.
Easy Keto Fudge
Creamy nut butter fudge is a fast and foolproof keto dessert recipe. Customize the nut butter flavor to suit your taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, sunflower seed)
- 1/3 cup powdered erythritol
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine nut butter, powdered erythritol and salt.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour into prepared pan and smooth top.
- Refrigerate 2 hours until firm.
- Cut into squares and serve chilled.
This easy keto fudge takes just 5 minutes to prepare. Enjoy a square after dinner for a quick sweet treat.
Keto Lemon Bars
Bright, tangy lemon bars are a refreshing dessert option. This keto version uses a buttery almond flour crust.
Ingredients:
Crust:- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 2 tbsp powdered erythritol
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 6 tbsp melted butter
- 4 eggs
- 2/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup powdered erythritol
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8 pan.
- In a bowl, combine crust ingredients until mixture is crumbly.
- Press crust evenly into bottom of prepared pan.
- Bake 12 minutes then allow to cool 10 minutes.
- In another bowl, whisk filling ingredients until smooth.
- Pour over warm crust and return to oven.
- Bake 15 minutes until filling is set.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
These keto lemon bars are sweet, tart, and perfect for spring and summer. Store leftovers in the fridge.
Keto Cheesecake Bites
For portion control, make these bite-sized cheesecake treats in a mini muffin pan. They're perfect party snacks.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered erythritol
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease mini muffin tins.
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese and erythritol until smooth.
- Beat in egg, vanilla and lemon juice.
- Divide batter between muffin cups.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until set.
- Allow to cool before removing from pan.
- Chill at least 1 hour before serving.
These keto cheesecake bites are creamy, tart, and delicious. Top with fresh berries for extra flavor and color.
Keto Mug Cake
For an easy single-serving dessert, try this chocolatey keto mug cake. It's ready in minutes!
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp almond flour
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp erythritol
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- In a microwave safe mug, mix together dry ingredients.
- Add egg, milk, coconut oil and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Microwave for 60-90 seconds until risen.
- Allow to cool slightly before enjoying.
This keto mug cake is perfect for when a chocolate craving hits. Customize it with different extracts and low-carb mix-ins.
Conclusion
As these recipes show, you don't have to skip dessert just because you are following a keto diet. With smart substitutions like sugar-free sweeteners and low-carb flours, you can make delicious cakes, brownies,
FAQs
What are some good keto-friendly flour alternatives?
Almond flour, coconut flour, flax meal, and hazelnut flour make great low-carb substitutes for regular flour in keto baking recipes.
Do I need to use a sugar substitute in keto desserts?
Yes, you need a low-carb sweetener like erythritol or stevia instead of regular sugar to keep desserts keto-friendly.
Can I make keto desserts nut-free?
Yes, you can use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead of nuts in recipes.
Do keto desserts taste as good as regular desserts?
With the right ingredients and recipes, keto desserts can taste just as delicious and satisfying as sugary treats.
What can I top keto desserts with?
Whipped cream, low-carb chocolate sauce, lemon curd, fresh berries make great keto-friendly toppings and accompaniments.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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