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

Home » Low-Carb Desserts » Keto Gingerbread

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

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

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.

Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

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

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.
Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (2)

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

Recipe Card

Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (8)

4.90 from 268 votes

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

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.

Add Your Own Notes

Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.

Nutrition per Serving

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

Subscribe

I send out a weekly newsletter with a recipe and tips. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

Follow Me

Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (9) Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (10) Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (11) Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (12) Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (13) Keto Gingerbread, Moist and Fluffy - Healthy Recipes Blog (14)

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.

❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

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.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

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.”

Can I use robust molasses in gingerbread cookies? ›

What kind of molasses to use? If you use dark or "cooking" molasses, be prepared for a very dark and robust cookie. It will have more of a pronounced bitterness. And if you choose blackstrap molasses, well then you certainly love molasses!

Why is my gingerbread dense? ›

Under-baking can cause a sunken cake and over-baking can cause a dry one, so making sure your gingerbread is properly baked is critical! Gingerbread is inherently slightly dense and heavy in texture, but each bite is perfectly flavored and moist and just melts in your mouth.

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!

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.

What happens if you add too much molasses to cookies? ›

Doubling up on molasses softened the cookies significantly.

Molasses is also extremely dark in color, so this batch of cookies turned out to be a deep brown.

What happens if a gingerbread man gets wet? ›

Haugh's Kindergarten students worked like scientists to predict what would happen if the Gingerbread Man did get wet, then conducted an experiment and reached conclusions based on their results. They learned that cookies get soggy in water and fall apart!

Why shouldn't you use blackstrap molasses in gingerbread? ›

Blackstrap Molasses

“Please avoid this dark and bitter molasses for your baking recipes,” she said. “It will make your cookies dry and quite frankly inedible. The rationale is basic chemistry. “Cookies need to have sugar and butter (or a similar solid fat) to 'cream' to get a good product,” Slavin said.

Which molasses is healthiest? ›

Conclusion. Blackstrap molasses, with its unique flavour and nutrient-packed profile, offers a better option than refined sugar. By slipping this versatile sweetener into your daily meals, you may enjoy a variety of health benefits. These include bone and hair health to tackling anemia and constipation.

Is molasses or golden syrup better for gingerbread? ›

Molasses – Essential for that deep, rich, caramel-like gingerbread flavour! It also helps hold the dough's shape. Golden syrup makes a great sub, or treacle. Honey will also work, but the cookies will spread out a touch more and not have the same deep flavour (but still very, very good!).

Why do you boil water in gingerbread? ›

Baking soda: Baking soda will serve as our primary leavening agent, to give the cake and light and airy texture. Boiling water: Yes, we will use an entire cup of boiling water to help dissolve and meld the ingredients together and give the cake plenty of moisture.

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.

Can dogs eat gingerbread? ›

The answer is no. While you may not immediately see negative affects in your pet's health, gingerbread is high in oil and fats that can slow your pet down. Also, Rover reports that gingerbread can cause pancreatitis in dogs, which sounds like a big ol' NO from us.

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.

What are the textures of cookies? ›

By adjusting key ingredients, you can change the texture of any cookie recipe.
  • If you want chewy cookies, add melted butter. ...
  • If you want thin, candy-like cookies, add more sugar. ...
  • If you want cakey cookies, add more eggs. ...
  • If you want an open, coarse crumb and craggy top, add baking soda.
Oct 20, 2023

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 6095

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.