Keto Butter Cake

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This moist keto butter cake is topped with flaked almonds and low carb sweetener. It's a sugar-free version of the classic German Butterkuchen!

Butterkuchen - German butter cake - is one of the most popular sheet cake recipes in Germany. Every bakery sells it, and every Granny has her own coveted recipe. Butterkuchen is a simple yeast cake that's topped with butter, sugar and flaked almonds.

This cake is my sugar free and gluten-free version of the original. It is a great choice for "Kaffee und Kuchen" (coffee and cake, an unmissable part of German culture).

We all loved this recipe. Alongside my keto apple cake, keto black forest cake and this keto olive oil cake, it is definitely one of the best cakes I have ever made.

A butter cake topped with flaked almonds and a bag of Lakanto sweetener

Ingredients

Here are the ingredient we'll need for a keto butter cake:

Active dry yeast - I use sachets which contain 9 grams. This is equivalent to 2 teaspoons.
Inulin - We need the inulin to activate the yeast. Note - you cannot use another low carb sweetener for this!
Almond milk - Choose an unsweetened variety.
Eggs - should be large and room temperature.
Butter - I heated mine in the microwave and then let it cool to lukewarm
Almond flour - I always use ground almonds. This is equivalent to regular almond flour in the US. If you use super fine almond flour, reduce the amount by about ¼ cup.
Lakanto Classic - A white granulated erythritol monk fruit blend that's a 1:1 sugar substitute.
Whey protein powder - Whey protein makes keto cakes fluffier. It should be unflavoured.
Baking powder - check that it's fresh by putting some in a glass of water It should fizz.
Xanthan gum - This helps give low carb dough a stronger texture. It's optional though - if you don't want to use it, just make 100% sure to cool the cake fully before slicing.
Flaked Almonds

Instructions

This section contains step-by-step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Step 1: Proof the yeast by adding it to warm almond milk and inulin. I needs froth and bubble.

dry ingredients such as almond flour, sweetener and whey protein powder in a glass bowl

Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl – almond flour, unflavoured whey protein powder, Lakanto Classic, baking powder and xanthan gum.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl or in a food processor, beat the eggs until frothy. Then, add the wet ingredients and mix. After that, add the dry ingredients. A sticky dough will form.

yeast dough in a cake pan being smoothened with a spatula

Step 4: Line a cake pan with parchment paper and fill in the dough. Smoothen the top.

Step 5: Cover with oiled cling film and / or a tea towel and rest in a warm place until the dough has fluffed up and increased in size noticeably.

butter cubes on top of a yeast dough in a cake pan

Step 6: Make small hollows in the surface of the dough with your fingers. Brush the dough with almond milk. Cut butter into small pieces and place in the hollows.

unbaked butter yeast cake topped with flaked almonds and sweetener

Step 7: Sprinkle Lakanto Classic and almond slivers over the dough. Cover again with the tea towel and let the cake rise again.

Step 8: Bake in a preheated oven until golden and a knife inserted comes out without dough sticking.

Expert Tips

Don't over-brown: After 12-15 minutes place an aluminium foil lightly on top of the pan to avoid excessive browning.

Allow to cool before slicing the keto butter cake as the texture will improve.

Use a serrated knife to cut easier through the flaked almonds!

Temperature Guidelines

The right temperature is the key to success with all yeast cake recipes! Anything too hot will kill the yeast, as will anything too cold. Yeast needs warmth to rise.

Eggs must be room temperature
Milk should be warm
Let the butter cool to lukewarm before adding
let the dough rise in the oven on the lowest setting

squares of cake topped with almonds and sweetener

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different cake pan?

You can use a larger rectangular pan to get flatter slices. In this case, the oven time would reduce to about 20-25 minutes. A round 20 cm springform pan would also work.

How do I make the recipe nut free?

You can generally replace almond flour 1:1 with a mix of sesame seed flour and sunflower seed flour. Instead of the flaked almonds, simply use coconut flakes.

Do I have to use the whey protein?

It's possible to substitute the whey with more almond flour. This makes the dough a little heavier, but it works. Readers have tested this with my keto bread rolls, which also use the almond flour / whey combo.

Is proofing the yeast necessary?

This is an absolutely essential step in the recipe to make sure the yeast is fresh and active. It should start foaming and doubling in size - otherwise start again with a different batch.

What can I use instead of the inulin?

Use honey or simply sugar. Don't worry - no sugar will remain post bake. The yeast "feeds" on it.

Storage

Store this keto butter cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or up to 7 days in the fridge. Alternatively, freeze for up to 3 months.