This easy keto chocolate cheesecake is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, a family gathering or any special celebration. Decadently chocolatey, creamy and utterly delicious, this recipe is only 5.8g net carbs per slice.
I've been serving this cake at several dinner parties now and it always goes down a treat, whether people are following a keto diet or not!
It is creamy, smooth dark chocolate indulgence in every mouthful. In fact, it is hard to believe it's sugar free and low carb.
Even though this sugar free chocolate cheesecake looks impressive, it is very easy to make. The total hands-on time is only 20 minutes.
All you need to do is plan for the time it needs to chill, which is best done overnight.
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Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need to make a keto chocolate cheesecake:
- Almond flour - Both fine almond flour or ground almonds work.
- Butter
- Sweetener - It's important to use powdered sweetener for the filling to ensure it is silky-smooth.
- Sugar-free or dark chocolate
- Mascarpone and cream cheese - I used a mix, but you can also use either one or the other.
- Vanilla extract
- Heavy whipping cream
- A pinch of sea salt
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
First, let's make the almond flour crust.
Step 1: Mix the almond flour, sweetener and butter in a bowl to form a crumbly dough.
Step 2: Press the mixture into a loose bottom cake tin or springform pan and bake it in the oven until until slightly golden.
Now onto the chocolate cheesecake filling!
Step 3: Place the sugar free chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl over a pan of hot water. Simmer until melted, then let cool.
Step 4: Whip the mascarpone, cream cheese, heavy cream, sweetener, vanilla and a pinch of salt in a large mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer until thick.
Step 5: Slowly pour in the melted chocolate and fold in with a spatula to combine.
Step 6: Taste, and adjust the sweetness if necessary. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, so feel free to increase it to taste.
Step 7: Spoon the chocolate mix onto the crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Then chill in the fridge until set.
Last, let's make the low carb chocolate frosting.
Step 8: Heat the cream and butter (or use coconut oil) on a low heat. Turn off the heat and add the chopped dark chocolate or sugar free dark chocolate chips and allow to stand until they are melted. Stir briskly with a balloon whisk until glossy and smooth.
Step 9: Spread the ganache over the top of the keto chocolate cheesecake and top with grated chocolate. Serve straight away or cool in the fridge if you prefer a set ganache.
Katrin's Top Tips
The right temperature is key! Use ROOM TEMPERATURE mascarpone and cream cheese. Let the melted chocolate COOL a little from hot to warm before you add it to the mix. If the temperature difference is too great the chocolate can seize and become lumpy.
Don't over-beat: Put the electric mixer on a low setting and don't over-beat the chocolate mix or it will go stiff. Should your mix become too firm when you beat it together, simply add a little more heavy cream to loosen it.
Variations
To change up the flavor, consider adding the following to the filling mixture:
- Coffee: 1-2 shots of strong espresso
- Peppermint: 1 teaspoon of mint extract
- Orange: 2 teaspoons of orange extract
Recipe FAQs
Make sure you're using powdered sweetener, especially when using erythritol. This ensures the filling is nice and smooth.
I used an erythritol monk fruit sweetener blend. Allulose or Bocha Sweet will work as well.
You can also use xylitol - just be aware that it is toxic to dogs. Also possible would be stevia glycerite. I would go for 20 drops and take it from there.
I used a chocolate with 85% cocoa solids in this recipe. A 90% dark chocolate would be even lower in carbs.
If you prefer generous, larger slices (16 per cake) and still want a low carb count, use sugar free chocolate or unsweetened chocolate.
Note - If you use unsweetened chocolate, you'll need to use around ¾ cup - 1 cup of powdered erythritol to sweeten the filling.
I do not recommend it as this would change the texture of the filling.
No, it's not necessary! You can omit the oven and make this a no bake keto cheesecake.
Simply use the coconut flour crust in my strawberry mascarpone tart recipe. I'm recommending this recipe because you cannot replace almond flour with coconut flour 1:1.
Yes. You can halve the ingredients and use a small springform pan.
Topping and Serving Ideas
We loved the chocolate ganache topping. To mix it up, here are more topping ideas:
- Chopped nuts such as walnuts, hazelnuts or pecans
- Berries
- Raspberry sauce
- Shredded coconut
- A dusting of cocoa powder
- crumbled keto chocolate chip cookies or sugar free ginger snaps.
- Keto caramel sauce
- Sugar free chocolate sauce
I have calculated 16 slices for this cake because it is filling. You could easily serve it to 20 people, especially if you're adding keto whipped cream on the side or a scoop of sugar free ice cream. I provide the nutrition for both 16 and 20 servings in the recipe card below.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store this cheesecake in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: All keto cheesecakes freeze well. Slice and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Make sure you defrost the slices in the fridge overnight.
More Keto Cheesecake Recipes
And then I have one more recipe for you that I KNOW will be right up your street: my Keto Cheesecake Brownies. Tastewise, similar to this keto chocolate cheesecake. Only separated into 2 swirly layers!
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Keto Chocolate Cheesecake
Equipment
- 9 inch / 23 cm diameter springform pan
Video
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups almond flour 200g
- 6 tablespoon melted butter 85g
- 2 tablespoon granulated erythritol
Filling
- 14 oz sugar-free chocolate or dark chocolate (85% cocoa solids minimum) 400g
- 8.8 oz mascarpone cheese room temperature, 250g
- 4 tablespoon powdered sweetener or to taste
- 14 oz cream cheese room temperature, 400g
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream 30 ml
- Pinch of sea salt
Ganache
- ⅔ cup heavy cream 160 ml
- 1.5 tablespoon unsalted butter 22g
- 4.2 oz sugar-free chocolate or dark chocolate (at least 85% cocoa solids), 120 g
- optional tiny pinch of salt
Topping
- 1 square of dark chocolate grated (10g)
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat the oven to 320F / 160C (electric) or 280 F / 140C (fan). Line the bottom of a cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides to prevent sticking.
- Mix the almond flour, sweetener and butter in a bowl to form a dough. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until slightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Filling
- Place the sugar free chocolate chips (or dark chocolate) in a heatproof bowl over a pan of hot water. Simmer on a low heat until melted, stirring occasionally, until glossy and smooth.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Whisk the mascarpone, cream cheese, heavy cream, sweetener, vanilla and a pinch of salt together in a bowl using an electric whisk until thick but don't over beat. Slowly pour in the melted chocolate and fold in with a spatula to combine. If using an electric whisk, use a slow setting and don't over-beat the filling or it will go stiff. Adjust the sweetness to taste.
- Spoon the chocolate filling onto the crust and level with a spatula.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 3 - 4 hrs or overnight until set.
Ganache
- Heat the cream and butter on a low heat until hot (but not bubbling). Turn off the heat and add the chocolate. Allow to stand for 3 - 5 minutes until melted. Stir briskly with a balloon whisk until glossy and smooth.
- Spread over the top of the cheesecake and top with grated chocolate. Option to put the cake in the fridge if you prefer a set ganache.
Simone
I’ve restarted my keto journey after several years off and was craving something chocolatey. This absolutely hit the spot and was delicious! I’ll be freezing it into smaller portions to have when I’m craving a chocolate treat. I made 3/4 of the recipe and didn’t have mascarpone so used a mix of cream, sour cream and cottage cheese as a substitute and it worked so well. Thanks for sharing!
Katrin Nürnberger
Thank you for sharing your tweaks. Glad you liked the cake!
Maria
I made this last night - used the halved amounts for the smaller springform pan idea and it made 12 perfectly sized individual cakes. Did bake the crust, I think it takes it over the top, and was asked to use more sweetener by the hubs, which I will do next time. Overall it is a perfect recipe, as fast for prep as noted and enjoyed by all!
Angie
Simply one of the BEST cakes we've ever had. Brilliant to freeze too. I used a slightly thicker base layer for extra crunchiness (as the top is so heavy). Frozen in small quantities it's my go to cake - small slither - with a coffee in the afternoon. Incredibly rich and filling. Super satisfying with it's cocoa content. Cannot recommend this highly enough for any chocoholic!
Leslie
If I'm reading this correctly, only the crust is baked & the filling itself is simply chilled? I'm looking forward to making this!
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, that is correct.