Introduction to Keto Tiramisu
When it comes to Italian desserts, there is nothing quite like the rich coffee flavor you get with Tiramisu. The only downsides are that it’s loaded with carbs AND it takes an entire afternoon to make properly. We’ll show you how to make keto tiramisu the easy way in less than 15 minutes!
Making Low Carb Keto Tiramisu
Turning this high carb recipe into a keto dessert not only makes it much healthier, but it also reduces the cook time. You won’t need a double boiler or tons of prep time, and you won’t feel like you’re on a low carb diet. Traditional tiramisu is a rich dessert that has layers of cream filling and soft Italian cookies called lady fingers. To replicate this dessert, we are going to make a homemade lady fingers replacement. We will also be using some keto hacks to achieve a fluffy cream layer that will rival the high carb version of this dessert.
Make The Keto Ladyfinger Cookies (Very Easy)
I know it sounds intimidating. Making keto cookies first, then assembling them with the rest of the low carb tiramisu recipe, but it’s actually quite simple. The only step of this keto dessert that requires cooking is these keto cookies. We just need a handful of simple keto-friendly ingredients. Before starting, it is very important to have all the ingredients at room temperature. If everything is not at room temperature, it will be hard to mix together, and you’ll end up with a lumpy cream. No one wants lumpy cream.
For the base, we use a mixture of almond flour and coconut flour. This combination will achieve the texture we’re looking for from these cookies. We want them to be firm enough to hold up to the coffee and cream filling that they will eventually be up against. Almond flour on its own produces too crispy of a cookie. This base of flours (almond flour and coconut flour) is what sets the stage for this gluten-free low-carb tiramisu.
For the sweeteners, we use a mixture of erythritol and stevia. This combination of low-carb keto sweeteners gives us the best of both worlds. We get a strong sweetness without the aftertaste that can be a problem with sugar replacements in high amounts. We use a powdered sweetener when it comes to the erythritol for this keto recipe.
Why do we use egg whites in this recipe and not the egg yolks? The removal of the egg yolks will make the cookie layer firmer and crispier. Egg yolks would make them chewier and more bread-like, which we want to avoid in this dessert.
Brew the Coffee or Espresso
Strong coffee is the signature flavor of a tiramisu. The goal is to get as much of that flavor into this dessert as possible, which brings up a few options. Brewed coffee will be too weak and should only be used as a last resort. The best two options are espresso or instant coffee. Both of these can be made very strong and will pack enough of a punch to be tasted over the high-fat cream filling. Place this in the fridge for when the cookies come out of the oven.
You can add rum to this keto tiramisu recipe for an added kick. If you feel you’re not getting a strong enough flavor, you can add some coffee extract to this step.
Make the Sugar-Free Cream Layer
When making tiramisu on a keto diet, you can either use mascarpone cheese or cream cheese for this layer. Mascarpone cheese is the more traditional ingredient, but in many of our keto recipes, we use cream cheese as a replacement because it is more widely available. The two are very similar in taste, with cream cheese having slightly more of a tangy flavor to it.
As with most keto desserts, ensure that all ingredients are at room temperature. You will need two bowls, one for the heavy cream, and another for the remaining ingredients. Whip these separately and gently combine with a hand mixer, food processor, or countertop mixer. When combining, you want to stop as soon as the whipped cream has combined and is still fluffy. Don’t overmix. Typically, you would gently fold this step, but in this recipe, mixing works better.
Beating the heavy cream works best when it is very cold. If you’re struggling with this part of the recipe, this is likely the issue.
Assemble the Keto Tiramisu Recipe
Now for the fun part. I guess the fun part of most keto recipes is eating them, but assembling this keto tiramisu is pretty fun too.
- Using a stemless wine glass or a clear dessert cup, start by adding a layer of the cream filling. I like using a cookie scoop for this step.
- Make sure your cookies and espresso are cooled; otherwise, the cookies may fall apart. Dip the cookie into the espresso and submerge for 5 seconds. Add the cookie to the serving glass.
- Top with another layer of cream filling until the cookie layer is completely hidden.
- Dust with a healthy dose of cocoa powder. Using a dark chocolate cocoa powder gives this keto recipe the most traditional flavor.
Now, all that’s left to do is sit down and enjoy!
As with all of the best keto desserts, be sure to keep it in the fridge. It will last for up to a week, so you can enjoy it after your keto meals on busy nights.
Changes to This Gluten-Free Tiramisu Recipe
People often ask if you can make this recipe dairy-free. Many people on a dairy-free keto diet still love this classic dessert, but the sad truth is this is just one of those keto recipes that can’t be made without dairy. The cream filling is too essential of a component that without it, some keto desserts just wouldn’t be the same.
If you want some dairy-free keto desserts to add to your keto meal plan, then try these:
A popular low-carb keto alternative to this more traditional tiramisu keto recipe is to make tiramisu cake. While that is an option, tiramisu sponge cake just isn’t the same. Part of the fun of being on a keto diet is making indulgent high-fat keto recipes that you don’t have to apologize for. Tiramisu sponge cake just introduces more elements that need to be replaced with keto alternatives.
New to the Keto Diet and Need More Low-Carb Recipes?
Well, you just so happen to be at the best low-carb keto food blog in the world. We have hundreds of sugar-free, gluten-free, keto recipes. A handful of our favorite low-carb keto concoctions are:
Browse this site and find different options to add to your keto meal plan for the week, or for a low-carb version of your favorite food. Remember, a low-carb keto diet should not feel restrictive if you intend on sticking to it over time.
Recipe Instructions
To make the keto ladyfinger cookies:
- Combine almond flour, coconut flour, erythritol, stevia, and egg whites in a bowl.
- Mix well and chill the dough in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Form the batter into 4 balls and flatten them. Space at least 1.5 inches apart from each other on a baking sheet.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Remove and allow to cool prior to dunking in coffee mixture.
To make the filling:
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, vanilla extract, erythritol, and stevia using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the heavy cream into a separate bowl and whisk on high speed until medium to stiff peaks form, about 1 minute. Do not overbeat.
- Add the whipped cream into the cheese mixture and whisk on low speed until the cream cheese is well incorporated into the cream, about 1 minute.
- Spoon some cream into the bottom of a stemless wine glass or dessert cup. Dip a cookie in the coffee mixture for 5 seconds, soaking it lightly, and then place on top of the cream. Dollop some more cream on top of the cookie.
- Sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa powder, if desired, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Repeat steps to create three more keto tiramisu desserts.
Nutrition Facts
Keto Tiramisu
Amount Per Serving
Calories 397
Calories from Fat 351
% Daily Value*
Fat 39g 60%
Saturated Fat 21g 105%
Cholesterol 119mg 40%
Sodium 252mg 11%
Potassium 139mg 4%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 2%
Protein 8g 16%
Vitamin A 1332IU 27%
Calcium 90mg 9%
Iron 1mg 6%
- Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
