Craving the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin cake but want to stay within your low-carb or ketogenic diet? Keto Pumpkin Cake is here to satisfy your fall cravings without the carb overload. This moist, flavorful cake combines the rich taste of pumpkin with cozy spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, all while keeping carbs in check. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a seasonal treat, this cake is sure to become a fall favorite.
In this article, we’ll guide you through making this delicious keto-friendly cake, discuss its nutritional benefits, and provide tips for customization to suit your taste preferences. Let’s dive into the world of guilt-free baking!
Why Choose Keto Pumpkin Cake?
Traditional pumpkin cake is often loaded with sugar and refined flour, making it incompatible with a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle. By using almond flour, coconut flour, and sugar substitutes, you can enjoy all the comforting flavors of pumpkin spice while staying within your dietary goals. Here’s why this recipe stands out:
Benefits of Keto Pumpkin Cake:
- Low in Carbs: Uses almond flour and sugar substitutes instead of wheat flour and refined sugar.
- High in Healthy Fats: Packed with fats from almond flour, eggs, and oil or butter.
- Perfect for Fall: Captures the essence of autumn with pumpkin puree and warm spices.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to suit your flavor preferences or dietary needs.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be baked in advance and stored for later enjoyment.
Ingredients Breakdown
To create Keto Pumpkin Cake , let’s break down the key components:
1. Pumpkin Puree
The star ingredient adds moisture and flavor:
- Use unsweetened canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) for the best results.
- Freshly roasted and pureed pumpkin works too.
2. Flour Alternatives
These replace traditional wheat flour:
- Almond Flour: Provides a tender, moist crumb.
- Coconut Flour: Adds structure and absorbs moisture (use sparingly).
3. Sweeteners
Sugar substitutes keep the carb count low:
- Erythritol, monk fruit, or stevia replace sugar for sweetness without the carbs.
4. Spices
Warm spices enhance the pumpkin flavor:
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves create the classic pumpkin spice blend.
5. Eggs and Oil
Bind and enrich the cake:
- Eggs provide structure and moisture.
- Melted butter, coconut oil, or olive oil add richness.
6. Optional Frosting
Take it to the next level with a keto-friendly frosting:
- Cream cheese frosting made with cream cheese, butter, and powdered erythritol.
- Whipped cream sweetened with a sugar substitute.
Step-by-Step Recipe Guide
Here’s a detailed guide to creating Keto Pumpkin Cake that will leave you craving more.
Servings: 12 slices
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 30-35 minutes
Ingredients:
- For the cake:
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil
- 1/2 cup granulated erythritol (or other keto-friendly sweetener)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the optional cream cheese frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered erythritol
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, melted butter or oil, erythritol, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine the Batter:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Frost (Optional):
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- For the cream cheese frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered erythritol and vanilla extract, and beat until creamy. Spread evenly over the cooled cake.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Slice and serve at room temperature. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutritional Information
Per slice (based on 12 servings):
- Calories: ~180-200
- Total Carbs: ~8g (Net Carbs: ~4g)
- Protein: ~6g
- Fat: ~16g
- Fiber: ~4g
This makes Keto Pumpkin Cake a satisfying, low-carb dessert that fits perfectly within a ketogenic or low-carb diet.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter just until combined to avoid dense cake.
- Use Fresh Spices: Freshly ground spices make a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Adjust Sweetness: Add more or less erythritol depending on your preference.
- Store Properly: Keep the cake covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Here are some ideas to tailor it to your liking:
- Add Nuts: Fold chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for extra crunch.
- Gluten-Free Option: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but ensure all packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free if needed.
- Dairy-Free Version: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting.
- Spice Variations: Add cardamom or allspice for a unique twist on the classic pumpkin spice blend.
Final Thoughts
Keto Pumpkin Cake is the ultimate solution for indulging in a moist, spiced cake without derailing your low-carb lifestyle. With its rich pumpkin flavor, cozy spices, and customizable options, this cake is perfect for any occasion—from casual snacking to holiday gatherings.
Whether you’re serving it at a fall-themed party, enjoying it as a seasonal treat, or simply craving a comforting dessert, this recipe delivers big flavor in every bite. Plus, its simplicity and adaptability make it accessible to bakers of all skill levels.
So grab your ingredients, fire up your oven, and get ready to enjoy a dessert that’s as satisfying as it is keto-approved. Trust us—once you try this Keto Pumpkin Cake, you’ll never miss the carb-heavy originals!
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Keto Pumpkin Cake: A Low-Carb Autumn Delight
- Total Time: 45 mins
Description
Moist, spiced, and perfectly sweet — this keto pumpkin cake is low-carb, grain-free, and packed with fall flavor for a cozy dessert or breakfast treat!
Ingredients
1 cup almond flour
¼ cup coconut flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ginger
Pinch of salt
½ cup canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
¼ cup melted coconut oil or butter
¼ cup heavy cream or unsweetened almond milk
¾ cup powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener (adjust to taste)
2 large eggs
½ tsp vanilla extract
Optional: Whipped cream or sugar-free chocolate shavings for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix almond flour , coconut flour , baking powder , baking soda , cinnamon , nutmeg , ginger , and salt until well combined.
In another bowl, whisk pumpkin puree , melted oil , heavy cream , powdered sweetener , eggs , and vanilla until smooth and slightly thickened.
Gradually mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined (do not overmix).
Pour batter into the loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool completely before slicing — it firms up as it cools!
Optional: Top with keto whipped cream or drizzle with melted sugar-free chocolate.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10 slices
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Protein: 5g