You'd Never Guess That These Mouthwatering Desserts Are Low-Carb (So Start Baking!)
It's easy to feel like you have to ditch dessert completely when you're following a low-carb diet, especially if it's a stricter plan like keto, which encourages dieters to avoid sugar. But there are tons of recipes that swap in low-carb, Paleo, or keto-friendly ingredients to serve up the same delicious flavors as other cookies, cakes, and candies, without derailing your weight-loss goals.
Whether you're craving chocolate, fruit, or spice, there's a low-carb dessert in this list that's right for you. And even better, these healthier alternatives don't require more work than traditional recipes. Read on for our delicious picks!
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you love pumpkin pie but don't love the carbs, these grain-free cookies are the perfect choice. Even better? They're totally vegan.
Get the recipe: gluten-free pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
Cheesecake Fat Bombs
Fat bombs are a popular snack for people on the keto diet, since they're pretty much carb-free. This recipe uses real berries for a creamy treat!
Get the recipe: cheesecake fat bombs
Keto Mug Cake
It doesn't get much easier than this delicious chocolaty dessert: just mix all the ingredients together in a big mug, then microwave.
Get the recipe: keto mug cake
Almond Flour Cookies
These cookies are made with three different kinds of flour and flax meal, then sweetened with dates, honey, and a hint of vanilla. So, while they taste like dessert, they're healthy enough to eat any time of day.
Get the recipe: almond flour cookies
Low-Carb Instant Pot Cheesecake
This recipe puts your Instant Pot to delicious use, making a creamy, dense New York-style cheesecake. Even the crust is low-carb and gluten-free, thanks to almond flour.
Get the recipe: low-carb Instant Pot cheesecake
Peanut Butter Truffles
Satisfy those candy cravings with truffles made from only four ingredients: peanut butter, sweetener, coconut oil, and cacao.
Get the recipe: peanut butter truffles
Rum Pineapple Cake Trifle
With rum, coconut cream, and pineapple, this trifle tastes like summer in a glass. And thanks to ingredients like coconut flour and monkfruit sweetener, it's lighter than traditional cakes and puddings.
Get the recipe: rum pineapple cake trifle
Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
These soft chocolate chip cookies are just as flavorful as their carb-packed counterparts. Swap out butter for coconut oil to make them Paleo.
Get the recipe: keto chocolate chip cookies
Keto Cookie Dough Blizzard
The pairing of cookie dough and ice cream is heaven — which makes this version, made with almond butter ice cream and egg-free dough, eligible for sainthood.
Get the recipe: keto cookie dough blizzard
Low-Carb Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake
This tasty pumpkin cheesecake is never out of season. Not only is it completely yummy, but it's free of gluten, grains, and sugar.
Get the recipe: low-carb keto pumpkin cheesecake
Keto Chocolate Cake
A dense, dark chocolate cake with decadent ganache on top — it sounds like everything someone who's dieting should avoid. But this recipe delivers rich, intense flavor, without any sugar to sabotage your goals.
Get the recipe: keto chocolate cake
Keto Caramel Pecan Cookies
These caramel pecan cookies taste just like pecan pie — and with ingredients like almond flour and xantham gum, they're far more virtuous.
Get the recipe: keto caramel pecan cookies
Strawberry Shortcake for One
Baking a cake can feel like a lot of work (and temptation) if you're on your own, and this personalized shortcake is just the answer. It layers a light, low-carb cake with fresh strawberries and a healthy scoop of yogurt.
Get the recipe: strawberry shortcake for one
Keto Fudge
Fudge feels like one of those foods that just can't possibly be healthy. Never say never, though: this recipe contains just 0.5 grams of carbs per serving.
Get the recipe: keto fudge
Sugar-Free Keto Low-Carb Lemon Bars
Lemon bars are a staple, but the creamy fillings and shortbread-like crusts aren't exactly low-carb. With just five ingredients, you can make a delicious treat that you'd never guess has substitutions!
Get the recipe: sugar-free keto low-carb lemon bars
Dark Chocolate Matcha Coconut Butter Keto Cups
This recipe transforms everyone's favorite candy into a relatively healthy snack, using coconut butter, dark chocolate, and matcha.
Get the recipe: dark chocolate matcha coconut butter keto cups
Grain-Free Carrot Cake Coconut Panna Cotta
Panna cotta sounds pretty fancy, but it's easier than you think. In this dairy-free, low-carb, and Paleo recipe, a moist carrot cake sits on top of a creamy, spiced panna cotta base made with coconut milk and honey.
Get the recipe: grain-free carrot cake coconut panna cotta
Pecan Sandies
Only six ingredients are needed for these pecan shortbread cookies, and they're gluten-free and keto-friendly! You'll mix extra pieces of pecan into the dough for a crunch in every bite.
Get the recipe: pecan sandies
Lemon Cheesecake Fat Bombs
For a refreshing, citrusy treat, try these creamy lemon fat bombs. Just mix five ingredients and freeze, and they're ready to eat!
Get the recipe: lemon cheesecake fat bombs
Paleo Coconut Macaroons
When you're short on time, a no-bake treat is probably your go-to. Add these easy coconut macaroons to your rotation: they're made with coconut butter and maple syrup and filled with healthy fats and natural sugars.
Get the recipe: Paleo coconut macaroons