"Keto is not about what you can't eat; it's about discovering the deliciousness of what you can."
Tips And Tricks To Bake Blissfully Moist Keto Baked Desserts
One of the most common issues with keto-baked desserts is dryness. Almond flour used for Keto desserts is dry due to its texture, but there are tips and tricks to bake blissfully moist Keto-baked desserts. You can bake a cake undetectably Keto, and no one will know the difference. Plus, your Keto baked dessert will have added nutrition using the techniques to add moisture to your Keto baked goods.
The Difference Between Almond Flour And Wheat Flour
The difference between wheat flour and almond flour is that wheat flour contains gluten. Gluten provides structure to baked goods. The gluten in wheat flour creates a chewy and elastic texture. Wheat flour provides energy from carbohydrates and some protein. However, almond flour is gluten-free and contains healthy fats, protein, and dietary fiber. Almond flour has a tender texture suitable for cakes, muffins, and cookies. It doesn't have the same gluten structure as wheat flour and behaves differently in baking. Almond flour has a nutty flavor that adds depth to baked goods and complements certain flavors. So, with the benefits of almond flour for baking, it is an excellent alternative to wheat flour.
Since there is a difference between wheat flour and almond flour, you must adapt different techniques in your baking regime to add moisture to your Keto baked desserts. The only problem with almond flour is anyone allergic to nuts may have to improvise to a different nut flour such as coconut, hazelnut, pecan, walnut, cashew, macadamia, pistachio, or Brazil nut flour. Be sure to check the carb content of the nut flour you choose to use. Alternative nut flours to almond flour can have various textures, flavors, and moisture absorption properties that you must keep in mind. Experimentation will be key in which nut flour is best for your baking and nutritional needs.
Combating Almond Flour's Dryness
There are effective ways to achieve moist, delicious baked desserts using almond flour. For instance, you can combine almond flour with other flour, such as coconut flour, to balance the texture and moisture in your baked recipes.
Add moisture-rich ingredients to almond flour, such as eggs, dairy, oils, and liquid sweeteners.
Adding nut butters to a chocolate cake adds moisture and gives the cake a nutty flavor, which is pleasingly palatable to chocolate in general. Just imagine the chewy brownies!
Healthy fats such as coconut oil and grass-fed butter add moisture and more flavor and richness to baked goods.
Choose recipes that are designed to work well with almond flour.
The bottom line should be to produce a delicious and satisfying result rather than a recipe that produces a conventional cake made with wheat flour. The texture will always be different using almond flour versus wheat flour.
Other Techniques To Add Moisture To Keto-Baked Desserts
Although almond flour is dry, it can yield moist and delightful Keto desserts when used thoughtfully. Below are more tips and tricks to add moisture to your keto-baked desserts that will surprise you.
Unsweetened coconut flakes add moisture to almond flour, especially Keto sweet breads. I use coconut flakes in all of my Keto sweet bread recipes. It is undetectable in the baked sweet bread, but coconut gives the bread more flavor and moisture.
Healthy fats such as coconut, almond, olive, butter, and heavy full-fat cream help retain moisture and richness in your Keto recipes.
Eggs are vital in adding moisture and structure to Keto baked desserts. Most baked Keto recipes have 4-6 or more eggs added to the recipe, and now you know why. The key is ensuring the eggs are at room temperature because cold eggs affect the texture of Keto baked goods.
Dairy products such as Greek yogurt, sour cream, and cream cheese are low-carb and add moisture and creaminess to your Keto recipes.
Non-dairy almond yogurt, coconut cream, and unsweetened, full-fat canned coconut milk add moisture and flavor to Keto baked desserts.
Grated zucchini or zucchini puree adds moisture to baked Keto recipes. Zucchini is flavorless and does not affect the flavor of a Keto baked good. Plus, you get added nutrition from zucchini in your Keto baked dessert. I use zucchini puree often in my baked chocolate desserts.
Mashed pumpkin and pumpkin puree add moisture to almond flour and flavor. My favorite Keto sweet bread is Keto Pumpkin Bread for its pumpkin spice flavor and moistness.
Syrups add moisture to Keto baked goods, and they include:
-
Sugar-free maple syrups
-
Monk fruit syrup
-
Yacon syrup
-
Stevia syrup
-
Chicory root syrup
-
Coconut nectar syrup
These syrups add moisture and sweetness to Keto baked desserts. You can combine a granular sweetener with the syrup sweetener in a Keto baked recipe for added bliss and moisture. However, be sure to check the label of these syrups to ensure no hidden additives and sugars are in the ingredients.
A small amount of unsweetened apple sauce or apple puree can be added to Keto baked recipes in moderation to add moisture and flavor.
Enjoy this chewy Keto Brownie recipe below!
Keto Recipe: Chewy Almond Butter Brownies
Ingredients:
-
1/2 cup almond flour
-
1/4 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
-
1/2 cup of your preferred keto-friendly sweeteners such as Trvia, Stevia, Monk Fruit, or Swerve
-
1/4 teaspoon salt
-
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
-
1/3 cup melted butter
-
1/2 cup almond butter (unsweetened and smooth)
-
2 large eggs
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
1/4 cup sugar-free chocolate chips (optional)
-
Chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) for topping (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan (8x8 inches) with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, erythritol, salt, and baking powder until well combined.
Whisk together the melted butter, eggs, almond butter, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until smooth.
Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and mix until a smooth batter forms. Fold in the sugar-free chocolate chips for added texture and flavor if desired.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
If using chopped nuts, sprinkle them over the batter.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out slightly moist. Be careful not to overbake to maintain that chewy texture.
Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, cut into squares and enjoy your keto-friendly chewy brownies!
Note: Nutritional information may vary based on your specific ingredients and brands. Be sure to calculate the macros based on the products you have on hand.
These keto-chewy brownies are a perfect treat for when you're craving something chocolatey-sweet. The almond flour and sweetener of choice keep the Keto recipe low-carb while still delivering a satisfying, chewy texture. Enjoy!
Sincerely yours,
Blissfully Keto
Add comment
Comments