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    Home » Keto Cakes » Keto Almond Ricotta Cake

    Published: Aug 16, 2020 · Modified: Jan 12, 2021 by Carolyn

    Keto Almond Ricotta Cake

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    20.1K shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Rich keto Italian almond cake with the creaminess of ricotta cheese. This deliciously tender cake is a low carb, sugar free marvel.

    Titled image of keto almond ricotta cake. A slice of cake on a white plate with a strawberry, the rest of the cake on a stand in the background.

    Can a cake be called creamy? Because that is the word that best describes the wonderful texture of this Keto Almond Ricotta Cake.

    Not creamy in a cheesecake kind of way, although I have plenty of keto cheesecake recipes if that’s what you’re up for.

    No, this Italian style keto almond cake still has a proper cake-like crumb. But it has a creamy, rich mouthfeel that defies expectations. It’s an experience you will want to repeat over and over.

    Powdered sweetener being dusted down over keto almond ricotta cake

    Ricotta Cake Inspiration

    I often buy a tub of ricotta cheese without really knowing what I plan on doing with it. And then it hangs out in my fridge and I suddenly realize I’ve got about 10 seconds to use it up before it goes bad.

    Of course, ricotta is delicious in lots of savory recipes, like my Keto Lasagna Skillet or this delicious Spinach Stuffed Chicken.

    But it also makes for fabulous baked goods. Poking around my Pinterest boards one day, I noticed that I had saved quite a number of recipes Italian ricotta cakes like this one. So clearly it was time to keto-fy it.

    Boy, I am glad I did. I was blown away by both the texture and the flavor. And since it isn’t overly sweet, it’s wonderful as a coffee cake, or as a keto dessert with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.

    Top down photo of keto almond cake dusted in powdered sweetener, with one slice partway removed

    How to make keto almond ricotta cake

    You will need a springform pan for this tender, delicious cake, and I also recommend lining the bottom with a parchment paper circle. I like these unbleached pre-cut parchment circles.

    Beyond that, this ricotta cake is exceptionally easy to make. Here are few extra tips for getting it right.

    1. Whisk the dry ingredients together first, so that you know they are well combined before adding them to the batter.
    2. Yes, the protein powder is a vital component of the recipe, as it helps make the cake more light and fluffy, with a traditional cake crumb. The short explanation: gluten is a protein and when you are baking gluten-free, another dry protein helps baked goods rise properly and hold their shape.
    3. Always have the wet ingredients at room temperature. They mix together more easily and become more creamy. And nothing is worse than carefully creaming your butter, only to add cold eggs and have it clump up again.
    4. Use full fat (whole milk) ricotta to get the best out of this recipe. Ricotta also often has a lot of watery whey in the container. Try to avoid that and get the good thick cheese in your cup measure.
    5. Patience, my friends. As with so many keto cakes and cookies, this almond ricotta cake needs to fully cool to have the ideal texture. It may crumble easily when warm.
    Close up shot of a slice of keto Italian ricotta cake on a white plate with a strawberry.

    How to store and serve your keto ricotta cake

    Because of the added moisture from the cheese, this cake is best stored in the refrigerator. Let it cool completely first, and store in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.

    I haven’t tried to freeze it but I do believe this would freeze quite well.

    I prefer the flavor at room temperature so I let it sit out on the counter for 30 minutes before serving.

    It’s delicious with a light sprinkling of powdered sweetener and some fresh berries. It’s also wonderful topped with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.

    Ready to make some delicious Keto Almond Ricotta Cake?

    More delicious keto recipes that use ricotta cheese

    • Keto Cannoli Sheet Cake
    • Keto Zucchini Lasagna
    • Ricotta Lemon Scones
    • Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Keto Ricotta Fritters
    • Keto Ricotta Meatballs
    Top down photo of keto almond cake dusted in powdered sweetener, with one slice partway removed

    Keto Almond Ricotta Cake

    Rich keto Italian almond cake with the creaminess of ricotta cheese. This deliciously tender cake is a low carb, sugar free marvel.
    4.82 from 44 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: keto almond cake, ricotta almond cake
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 260kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups almond flour (about 200g)
    • ⅓ cup unflavored whey protein powder (can sub egg white protein)
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup butter, softened
    • ⅔ cup Swerve Sweetener
    • 1 cup full fat ricotta cheese room temperature
    • 3 large eggs room temperature
    • 1 ½ teaspoon almond extract
    • ¼ cup sliced almonds
    • powdered Swerve Sweetener
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 325F and grease a 9-inch springform pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and grease the parchment.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, protein powder, baking powder, and salt.
    • In a large bowl, beat the butter with the sweetener until creamy. Beat in the ricotta until well combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined, then beat in the almond extract.
    • Add the almond flour mixture and beat until smooth. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with sliced almonds. Bake 40 to 50 minutes, until golden brown and the top is firm to the touch.
    • Remove and let cool 20 minutes, then run a sharp knife around the inside of the pan and loosen the sides. Let cool completely before slicing.
    • Sprinkle with powdered sweetener before serving.

    Video

    Nutrition Facts
    Keto Almond Ricotta Cake
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving = 1/12th of cake)
    Calories 260 Calories from Fat 194
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 21.6g33%
    Carbohydrates 5.8g2%
    Fiber 2.3g9%
    Protein 10.5g21%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    20.1K shares

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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Debra says

      July 20, 2022 at 2:14 am

      Hi have just baked the Ricotta cake and followed the list of ingredients as well as the video but it did not rise like yours. It only rose to 2cm high!!! I don’t know what I have done wrong. The pan size I used measured 9 inches. I’m so disappointed as I was going to take it to my friends place tomorrow for afternoon tea.

      Any ideas what may have happened?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        July 20, 2022 at 1:04 pm

        2 centimeters? I am not sure how that’s possible when the batter itself is higher than 2cm in the pan. It would have to shrink! Are you sure you didn’t mismeasure something?

        Reply
        • Debra says

          July 20, 2022 at 8:04 pm

          Thanks Carolyn. I just checked above ingredients and didn’t miss anything and I’m positive I didn’t leave anything out. I thought the pan must be too big but double checked the diameter and it is 9 inches (23cms).
          Oh well, only thing I can do it try it again in a while. I’ll let you know.
          Thanks again.

          Reply
          • Carolyn says

            July 21, 2022 at 7:55 am

            You might need a new batch of baking powder. Also…. what brand of almond flour are you using?

            Reply
    2. Traci says

      May 30, 2022 at 7:58 am

      Ugh.. I accidentally grabbed low fat ricotta. Can I still use it in this recipe?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 30, 2022 at 8:34 am

        Probably but I would drain it for a bit to get out some of the excess moisture.

        Reply
        • Traci says

          June 01, 2022 at 2:08 pm

          5 stars
          I took your advise and it turned out amazing!! It was a hit. Can’t wait to make it again. Love your recopies. You have made me look good so many times. haha. Thank you!

          Reply
    3. Sandi says

      May 17, 2022 at 11:12 am

      5 stars
      This is delicious! I made it yesterday, had it last night with a scoop of my Keto strawberry ice cream I made the day before. This morning I had a piece with my coffee and a spoonful of mixed berries on top. I used the ‘It’s Just Egg White Powder’ and it rose beautifully. This is a keeper!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 17, 2022 at 11:32 am

        Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    4. Sandi says

      May 06, 2022 at 6:49 pm

      What is the purpose of the whey or egg protein. Is it just to add more protein to the cake? I looked today and it is very pricey. Can I just leave it out or sub for something else? I’m looking forward to making this!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 08, 2022 at 8:14 am

        It helps it rise and it is critical to making keto cakes lighter and fluffier. If you plan on doing any amount of keto baking, I highly suggest getting some. It will last a long time, too. I bake more than anyone, and a bag of whey protein lasts me 4 months or so.

        Reply
    5. Lynn says

      May 06, 2022 at 4:21 pm

      Would there be a big difference if I used cream cheese instead of ricotta?

      Reply
    6. Linda says

      April 27, 2022 at 11:17 am

      4 stars
      Very moist and delicious. I increased the almond extract to a full tablespoon; I find that I enjoy more flavor from extracts, spices and seasonings than recipes call for. I also baked them in silicone muffin cups for ease of portions, freezing, serving, etc.

      Reply
    7. Karen Pearson says

      April 26, 2022 at 8:49 pm

      Delicious! Made it twice and got rave reviews. My daughter in law tasted it and wants it for her birthday cake! Tried it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with strawberries and hot fudge and heaven! Thanks for sharing this wonderful cake!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        April 27, 2022 at 8:11 am

        Ohhhh, love what you did there with the ice cream and strawberries!

        Reply
    8. Ann says

      April 17, 2022 at 4:29 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is great! Thank you, Carolyn! It is such a nice, moist, versatile cake. As with most keto baked goods, the right baking time is critical, and I tend to err on the extra minute or two side, sometimes resulting a slightly drier end product. But that’s for me to work on. I’ve already made it three times for different occasions, and always received positive comments from both keto and non-keto guests. Thank you for all your work developing recipes that are reliable, delicious, and healthy!

      Reply
    9. Anne Marie Smith says

      April 16, 2022 at 6:44 pm

      Just made this and it was fabulous. Great crumb and moisture from the ricotta. It’s perfect with an almond milk latte. Thanks, Carolyn! The flavor is ideal when completely cooled. Will make it again soon 🙂

      Reply
    10. Sheila says

      March 22, 2022 at 12:55 am

      This is a good looking cake with a very nice Cake texture. I thought the almond extract was a bit overpowering with a flavor that reminded me of cherry (never had it before). I think that This would make a nice lemon cake; may try lemon extract next time.

      Reply
      • Annabelle says

        April 26, 2022 at 7:26 pm

        Yes, the almond extract Queen brand is horrible. I’ve ruined this cake using this extract. I’ve written to the company to complain that it tastes like artificial cherry and NOT almond. They disagreed, saying its fine as is.

        Reply
        • Carolyn says

          April 26, 2022 at 8:26 pm

          Oh my… I am so sorry to hear that. I’ve never heard of that brand, I always use Frontier https://amzn.to/3EQxASa

          Reply
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