The holidays are the perfect season for baking and decorating cookies and other sweet treats. And, we're fortunate that sweets are still an option when eating a ketogenic diet—there's no deprivation required or even advised with the low-carb, high-fat diet!
We can curb carbs and still allow room for some splurging without derailing our resolutions or recommitments before the new year even starts.
Whether you're a lover of cakes or other holiday confections, there's a way to remake and enjoy your favorite treats, minus the sugar or excess carbs, on a ketogenic diet.
Plus, we have several sugar-free recipes to share with you to sweeten up the holidays without the guilt. Here are some of our favorite treats to enjoy and share during the holidays:
- Keto Almond Cake (Fat Bomb): Imagine chestnuts roasting on an open fire, some warm hot chocolate, and a slice of some delicious keto almond cake—so yummy!
- Keto Cookies: There are so many keto cookies to make and enjoy during the holidays. From the classic chocolate chip cookie to our beloved dreamy creamy keto cookies, you’ll undoubtedly find a holiday keto option that your family will enjoy for years to come.
- Ultimate Chocolate PB Cheesecake Fat Bomb: What’s better than anything with chocolate? Add cheesecake, and you have a tasty and creamy treat to satisfy any craving.
- Konscious Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies: Everyone loves a good brownie, and this recipe is sure to please. Make a batch and package it in a beautiful canister for a thoughtful and delicious gift to ring in the season.
- Keto Chocolate Soufflé: A chocolate soufflé sounds so fancy, but we’ll have you looking like the master baker in the family with this mouthwatering yet simple creation—even if you’re a beginner.
- Keto Pumpkin Pie: Pumpkin pie is a holiday favorite and cuter still when made as a treat for one in a portion-controlling ramekin!
- Keto Sugar Cookies: At first, it may sound like it’s off-limits; I mean, sugar is in its name! But, again, we have access to many ingredient swaps for sugar and grain-based flours that make keto baking a breeze.
- Holiday Orange Cake: This aromatic and straightforward cake that pairs perfectly with a cup of creamy eggnog or a simmering mug of chai tea is such a treat for all
- Keto Activate Holiday Fudge: Making a decadent batch of dense and delicious fudge could make any day feel like a holiday. Pair your fudge with caroling and huddling in the kitchen to take in the wafting smells of the holiday is nothing short of divine!
- Irresistible Keto Molten Chocolate Molten Cake: Oozing, ooey-gooey chocolate kind of seals the deal with this one, not much more to say; we’re sold, and you’ll be too!
- Irresistibly Fudgy Keto Brownies: Honestly, who wouldn’t love to receive a holiday tin brimming with irresistible fudgy brownies? This recipe would make for an affordable gift from the heart that your friends or family would love.
- Keto Fat Bombs for Weight Loss and Ketosis: We love our strawberry cheesecake fat bombs, but our favorites don’t stop there because there are so many fat bomb options to enjoy. Mix and match your choices to create a fat bomb platter to enjoy.
- Dippin' Keto Strawberries: The chocolate coating provides a lovely contrast against a ripened sweet and tangy strawberry; it’s stellar. Plus, this treat is also a way to get your family to eat more fruit.
- Love My Lemon Keto Pound Cake: A lemon pound cake is great on its own but can also pair well topped with some keto-friendly ice cream and a drizzling of caramel.
Keto Flour Options:
Grain-based flours are a no-no on keto as they’ll likely kick you out of ketosis if eating even relatively small amounts. Fortunately, we can use many grain-free flour options to make a variety of sweet treats sure to keep ketosis in check.
Here are some of our go-to keto-friendly flour picks:
- Almond Flour: Whether used as a standalone flour or blended with coconut or other keto-friendly flours, almond flour is a selection to keep stocked in your keto pantry.
- Coconut Flour: Although sometimes intimidating at first because of how differently it operates from all-purpose or even almond flour, coconut flour is a great option to bake or thicken sauces; just double-check the conversion amounts for the best results.
- Lupin Flour: This flour may be new to the scene for some, but it’s one we’ve gotten to experiment with this year and quite enjoy. Lupin flour often provides the best texture when blended with other low-carb flours, so be advised.
Sugar Alternatives:
Cane sugar beware; some fantastic keto-friendly sweeteners available to help us make virtually any sweet treat our heart’s desire. Here are some delicious options to keep in mind:
- Stevia
- Swerve
- Lakanto
- Sukrin
- Pyure
- So Nourished Monk Fruit and Erythritol Blends
- Allulose
- Erythritol
- Xylitol
- Monk Fruit
Also, there are essential baking ingredients to have on-hand to make various desserts during the holidays. Here are some of our must-haves:
- Chocolate baking chips (e.g., Lily’s Chocolates, ChocZero, etc.)
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
- Butter (both salted and unsalted)
- Pure Organic Extracts (vanilla, coconut, maple, almond, lemon, orange, etc.)
- Unsweetened chocolate baking bars
- Keto marshmallows (e.g., Max Mallow or LaNouba)
- Heavy whipping cream (perfect for homemade whipped toppings!)
- Keto Sprinkles (Good Dee’s)
- Keto-friendly nuts (e.g., pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, etc.)
Plus, various keto baking mixes are handy to have around if you’re looking for something that’s super beginner-friendly and great to make with the kids to let them get their feet wet in the kitchen without too much fuss.
Here are some keto-friendly brands to consider if you’re searching for convenient baking mixes to incorporate into your holiday baking festivities:
- HighKey Brownie and Blondie Baking Mix
- Good Dee’s Cookie Mixes (e.g., butter pecan, sugar cookie, chocolate chip, or double chocolate chip)
- Sugarlessketo.com (sprinkles, cake mixes, etc.)
- Swerve Sweets
Here are some detailed articles packed full of tips and resources to help you thrive this holiday season and into 2021.
- Your Ultimate Guide to Keto Cooking and Baking Conversions and Substitutes
- Konscious Keto Guide to Sugar Alternatives and Conversions
- Keto-friendly Beverages to Maintain Ketosis
- The Truth About Keto Dessert Recipes
- Keto Recipes for Every Occasion
- The Ultimate Guide to Konscious Keto
- How to Start a Keto Diet
Plus, we have compiled some more of our most prized holiday recipes for you just in time for the holidays! Click here to access a link to our Holiday Cookbook eBook and New Year’s eBook cookbook to get ready for the holiday season with time to spare!
Summary
This year is one where many feel a yearning to connect and build memories to cherish for years to come.
Despite being across the country or even on the other side of the globe, we can find thoughtful ways to show those we love how much we care. Whether with a homemade treat, the use of a handy pre-made mix, or the aid of a Zoom holiday party to use technology to bring us closer together regardless of where we are as we celebrate the holidays, connecting is truly what matters most.
Wherever or however you celebrate this holiday season, it’s a time to reflect on what matters most and ways to stay connected in our fast-paced and ever-changing world. Making a handwritten card and a platter of cookies is not just a reward for Santa.
We have risen to the challenges of this year, and all are due for a little dessert therapy during the holidays—and for us in the Konscious Keto community, we can indulge guilt-free. Happy Holidays!
Sources
- Chin, G. J. (2004). MICROBIOLOGY: Switching from a High-Carb to a Low-Carb Diet. Science, 304(5670), 493c-493c. doi:10.1126/science.304.5670.493c
- Jung, D. E., Joshi, S. M., & Berg, A. T. (2014). How Do You, Keto? Survey of North American Pediatric Ketogenic Diet Centers. Journal of Child Neurology, 30(7), 868-873. doi:10.1177/0883073814545115
- Low-Carb Diet Beats Low-Fat for HDL-Cholesterol Levels. (2010). SciVee. doi:10.4016/20185.01
- Shabbat and Holiday Meals. (2017). The German-Jewish Cookbook, 87-150. doi:10.2307/j.ctv102bdsk.10
