Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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An easy recipe for moist, fluffy, and flavorful keto gingerbread. It's ready in less than an hour, and this includes the time it needs to cool.

Despite containing no molasses or brown sugar, it tastes just like the real thing, and the leftovers are excellent too.

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My Dutch Grandma used to bake an amazing Ontbijtkoek - a Dutch breakfast cake, heavily spiced with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

This delightful keto gingerbread reminds me of Grandma's wonderful cake. It's fluffy, moist, and very flavorful.

When I embarked on making a low-carb version, I had my suspicions. I assumed that it would be very difficult to recreate the traditional flavor without molasses.

As it turns out, it's actually very doable! This cake is wonderful. And another lovely holiday cake to check out is this keto fruit cake.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Expert tip
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Variations
  • Serving suggestions
  • Storing leftovers
  • Related recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Let's Connect

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty cake. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

Eggs: I use large eggs in almost all of my recipes, this one included.

Whole milk: You can use heavy cream instead of milk. But as you can see, even with the milk, this cake is very low in carbs.

Unsalted butter: I love using creamy European butter, but any butter will be great.

Sweetener: I use stevia glycerite. You can replace it with a sugar-free granulated sweetener, possibly adding 1-2 tablespoons of milk.

Aromatics and spices: Ground cinnamon, minced fresh ginger, and unsweetened cocoa powder. I also add a bit of salt.

Almond flour: This flour substitute bakes exceptionally well. I use blanched finely ground flour. I don't recommend using a coarse almond meal in this recipe.

Baking soda: Helps the cake rise and ensures it's nice and fluffy.

Instructions

Making this keto gingerbread is easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

  • Your first step is to simply mix together all the ingredients in one bowl. Make sure the batter is smooth.
  • Then, pour the batter into a greased square 8-inch pan.
  • The last step is to bake the cake in a 325°F oven for about 20 minutes.
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Expert tip

This might be somewhat unusual, but I like to add just a tablespoon of cocoa powder to this cake. This accomplishes two important goals:

1. The acidic cocoa powder helps to activate the baking soda. This is why you should use natural cocoa powder, not one that says it was processed with alkali.

2. The cocoa powder gives the cake a deeper color. Thisis useful because I don't use brown sugar or molasses.

Frequently asked questions

How did you come up with this recipe?

I based this recipe on my trusted almond flour cake recipe. I omitted the honey, replacing it with stevia, milk, and butter. And I added spices - cinnamon and ginger.

Can I use coconut flour instead of almond flour?

No, unfortunately, you cannot. These two flours behave very differently and are not interchangeable in baked goods.

Can I add molasses to this cake?

A tablespoon of molasses contains around 15 grams of carbs. Whether this fits within your low-carb diet is up to you to decide. I find that this cake is marvelous even without a drop of molasses.

Variations

I love this recipe as is and almost always make it as written. But in case you'd like to vary the basic recipe, here are a few ideas for you:

  • You can use a granulated sweetener instead of stevia. If the batter seems too thick, add an extra tablespoon of milk.
  • Add a pinch of cloves and/or nutmeg.
  • Frost the cake with this keto cream cheese frosting.

Serving suggestions

This simple cake is perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert. It's wonderful all by itself, but if you serve it for dessert, you can add this cream cheese frosting or this keto whipped cream.

Storing leftovers

Once completely cool, I wrap the cake in cling wrap, then in a layer of foil, and store it in the fridge. It keeps well for 4-5 days when kept this way.

You can also wrap it as mentioned above and freeze it, or you could freeze individual slices in freezer bags.

This is one of those cakes that keeps really well when stored, so sometimes I bake two of them to ensure I have tasty leftovers!

Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)
  • Keto Fruit Cake
  • Chocolate Bark
  • Honey-Roasted Nuts
  • Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Recipe Card

Keto Gingerbread

An easy recipe for moist, fluffy and flavorful keto gingerbread. Despite containing no molasses or brown sugar, it tastes just like the real thing!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Rest time20 minutes mins

Total Time55 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: 9 squares

Calories: 175kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Generously grease a glass 8X8-inch baking dish with butter.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, stevia, cinnamon, cocoa powder, gingerm, and kosher salt.

  • Whisk in the almond flour, then the baking soda.

  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the cake is puffed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

  • Cool the cake in the pan on a cooling rack for 20 minutes, then cut it into nine squares and serve.

Video

Notes

*Occasionally, baking soda can cause a reaction in baked goods that results in an unpleasant ammonia smell. If you're concerned about it happening, you could use ½ tablespoon of gluten-free baking powder instead of baking soda. Make sure the baking powder is fresh and not expired.

Once completely cool, you can wrap the cake in cling wrap, then in a layer of foil, and store it in the fridge. It keeps well for 4-5 days when kept this way.

You can also wrap it as mentioned above and freeze it, or you could freeze individual slices in freezer bags.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 1square | Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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More Low-Carb Desserts

  • Keto Mug Cake
  • Keto Brownies
  • Keto Cookie Dough
  • Keto Strawberry Shortcake

About the Author

Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (19) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is the texture of gingerbread? ›

First, the texture of the cookie needs to be fairly crispy along the outside with a semi-soft, cake-like inside, and like all "perfect" cut-out cookies, they definitely need to keep their shape when baked. Secondly, they must taste sweet but notably spicy, and have a rich molasses flavour.

Why are my gingerbread men so hard? ›

“There are some gingerbread recipes that are hard right after baking and need to sit for a few days to soften. Molasses and honey hardens gingerbread, but as the sugar absorbs moisture, it will get softer.”

Why does my gingerbread spread? ›

If there isn't enough flour to hold that melted fat, the cookies will over-spread. Spoon and level that flour or, better yet, weigh your flour. If your cookies are still spreading, add an extra 2 Tablespoons of flour to the cookie dough. Don't overmix the cookie dough ingredients.

What are the three types of gingerbread? ›

The three distinct types of gingerbread are brown gingerbread, wafer-based gingerbread and honey gingerbread.
  • BROWN GINGERBREAD.
  • WAFER GINGERBREAD.
  • HONEY GINGERBREAD.

Should gingerbread be soft or crunchy? ›

Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft? Soft gingerbread biscuits are ideal. They ought to be flexible. However, they should still be somewhat elastic, and if you hold them too firmly because you're so excited to eat them, you might even be able to leave your fingerprints on the cookie!

What happens if you don't chill gingerbread dough? ›

Forgetting to chill the dough.

It's tempting to want to roll out the dough as soon as it comes together, but let it have a little time to rest. Chilling it for at least two hours or overnight gives the ingredients a chance to absorb one another, making it a whole lot easier to roll out the dough without it cracking.

Why do you put molasses in gingerbread? ›

The deep, caramel-like sweetness of molasses pairs perfectly with the warm spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, creating the iconic flavor profile of these classic treats. The choice of molasses over other sweeteners adds a depth and complexity that elevates gingerbread to a cherished holiday tradition.

How do you harden gingerbread? ›

Comments for How to harden gingerbread when it becomes too soft? Putting it back in the oven does not work you have to find a recipe that is harder as putting it back in the oven only over bakes it. My suggestion is to put it back into the oven for up to 10 minutes. The temp of the oven should be around 325 degrees.

Can you overmix gingerbread? ›

Over mixing the dough can lead to a tough textured cookie that doesn't hold its shape as well. Mix on low speed each time while slowly scraping down the sides of the bowl mixing just until everything is combined.

Why are my gingerbread cookies puffy? ›

Q: Why are my cookies so puffy and cakey? Whipping too much air into the dough. That fluffy texture you want in a cake results from beating a lot of air into the room temperature butter and sugar, and it does the same for cookies. So don't overdo it when you're creaming together the butter and sugar.

How long will homemade gingerbread keep? ›

It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to five days and you can freeze it too, so you can make it ahead of time. Preheat oven to 180°C / 160°C fan-forced. Line two baking trays with baking paper. Once cooled, decorate your gingerbread with icing, lollies and Christmas decorations.

How long should gingerbread dough sit out before rolling? ›

If you try to roll out the dough right after removing it from the fridge, it will be too stiff to work with. Instead, take it out of the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes until it's warm enough to roll without tearing or cracking.

Should you chill gingerbread dough before rolling? ›

To make sticky gingerbread dough easier to work with, chill it for at least 1 hour before rolling it out. Roll out the dough on a surface that's lightly dusted with flour or a mixture of flour and confectioners' sugar (aka powdered sugar).

Should I use parchment paper for gingerbread cookies? ›

Silicone mats are a great reusable alternative, as well! But parchment paper is always reliable. Our Gingerbread Men here at Muddy's Bake Shop were baked on parchment, and they give parchment two thumbs up!

How do you describe gingerbread? ›

Gingerbread refers to a broad category of baked goods, typically flavored with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon and sweetened with honey, sugar, or molasses. Gingerbread foods vary, ranging from a moist loaf cake to forms nearly as crisp as a ginger snap.

What makes gingerbread hard or soft? ›

A 1:4 ratio of butter to flour makes the gingerbread strong. Corn syrup keeps freshly baked gingerbread pliable and soft, so it's easy to cut while warm.

How do you describe a gingerbread cookie? ›

Gingerbread cookies are typically made with a combination of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and molasses, which gives them a distinct spicy, sweet flavor. They are often cut into fun shapes and decorated with icing or candies. Gingerbread cookies are also often soft and chewy in texture.

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