Despite the rather lewd moniker, Keto Sex In A Pan is a wonderful layered concoction that will make you swoon. It consists of multiple layers: a chocolate cookie crust topped with keto cheesecake, sugar free chocolate pudding, and whipped cream topping. It is as rich and decadent as it sounds.
It’s been one of my most popular desserts for many years now. And I think you can see why!
Conventional versions of this dessert rely heavily on store-bought mixes. Boxed pudding and whipped topping from a tub are full of carbs and sugars. And the sugar-free versions have unnecessary additives. They simply have no place in a keto-friendly dessert.
Everything in this Keto Sex In A Pan is made from scratch. While it takes some time to assemble and chill, each component is relatively straightforward. And the results are absolutely spectacular!
I recently updated this recipe to make it a little lower in fat, calories, and carbs. I hope you will give it a try!
Reader’s Thoughts
“Sex in a Pan was one of my favourite desserts pre keto. I was so excited to find this recipe. I have made it many times and it is just as good as the original (better because it is guilt-free). Thank you for this recipe.” — Gail O.
“This is my “go to” sugar-free dessert. My husband loves it so much, I probably can make it now from memory! it is delicious and makes a generous amount – enough to enjoy for days.” – Sarah
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Almond flour: You can use sunflower seed flour for a nut-free version.
- Cocoa powder: Dutch process cocoa gives the crust a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Sweetener: I recommend an erythritol-based sweetener for the crust, but the other layers have more flexibility. For a more detailed discussion, please see the Sweetener Options.
- Cream cheese: For the cheesecake layer.
- Heavy whipping cream: Used in both the cheesecake layer and the pudding layer.
- Unsweetened almond milk: You can use any low carb milk or nut milk.
- Egg yolks: You only need yolks for this recipe. Check out these ideas for the leftover egg whites.
- Glucommanan: This helps the pudding layer set. You can also use xanthan gum.
- Keto dark chocolate: A little chocolate shaved over the top makes it extra appealing.
- Kitchen staples: Butter, vanilla extract, salt
How to Make Keto Sex In A Pan
- Prepare the crust: Whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, sweetener and salt. Stir in the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into a greased 8×8 inch pan and bake until just firm to the touch.
- Make the cheesecake layer: Beat the cream cheese and sweetener together until smooth, then beat in the vanilla and cream. Spread the cheesecake layer over the cooled crust and refrigerate.
- Temper the egg yolks: Heat the almond milk, whipping cream, and sweetener. Slowly whisk some of the hot cream mixture into the yolks to temper. Then slowly whisk tempered yolks back into saucepan. Sprinkle surface with the xanthan gum, whisking vigorously to combine.
- Add the cocoa: Whisk in the cocoa powder and simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and add the butter and vanilla, then whisk until smooth. Spread over cheesecake layer. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Prepare the whipped cream: Beat the heavy cream with sweetener and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the chocolate pudding layer. Dust with cocoa powder and chocolate shavings. Chill another hour to help set completely.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Success
This dessert isn’t hard to make, but it is time consuming. Make sure you allow each layer to set properly before adding the next one. Let the crust cool completely before adding the cheesecake layer. You get clean layers that slice nicely that way.
Do not walk away while making the pudding, as it can curdle. Whisk almost constantly until it thickens up. When adding the glucomannan (or xanthan gum), sprinkle with one hand as you whisk continuously with the other. That helps avoid clumps.
It is next to impossible to get the first slice of this layered dessert out in one pristine piece. So be ready for a bit of mangled Sex In A Pan and tuck that bit away for another time. After that, you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting nice clean slices for your guests!
Sweetener Options
The crust works best with an erythritol sweetener, as allulose will make it quite soft and crumbly. You can cut back on the erythritol a little with the addition of some stevia or monk fruit extract.
For the cheesecake layer, you can use any sweetener you like, but it needs to be powdered to avoid grittiness. Concentrated sweeteners like powdered or liquid stevia extract would work as well.
The chocolate pudding is a little trickier. While you can use allulose, it makes it very soft and squishy, and it takes a long time to firm up properly. I recommend using a mix of mostly erythritol with a little allulose (1 to 2 tablespoons). You could also try adding more glucomannan to firm it up a bit more.
The whipped topping works with any kind of powdered sweetener.
More Creamy Pudding Desserts to Love
Keto Sex In A Pan Recipe
Ingredients
Chocolate Crust
- 1 1/4 cups almond flour
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp granular sweetener, erythritol recommended
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Cheesecake Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup powdered sweetener
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature
Chocolate Pudding
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/3 cup powdered sweetener, (some erythritol recommended)
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/2 tsp glucomannan, or xanthan gum
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp butter, cut into 3 pieces
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 3 tbsp powdered sweetener
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 ounce sugar free dark chocolate
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF and grease an 8×8 inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, sweetener and salt. Add the melted butter and stir until the mixture begins to clump together.
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan and bake about 15 minutes, or until just firm to the touch. Remove and let cool.
Cream Cheese Layer
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sweetener together until smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Add the cream and beat until smooth, then spread over the cooled crust and refrigerate while preparing the chocolate layer.
Chocolate Pudding Layer
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the almond milk, whipping cream and sweetener. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sweetener.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth. Slowly whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into the yolks to temper. Then slowly whisk tempered yolks back into saucepan.
- Reduce heat to medium low and sprinkle surface with the glucomannan, whisking vigorously to combine. Whisk in the cocoa powder and cook until thickened, about 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add the butter pieces and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Let cool 15 minutes and then spread over cheesecake layer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Topping
- Beat the cream with the sweetener and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread over the chocolate pudding layer. Dust with cocoa powder (this works best through a fine sieve). Use a vegetable peeler or cheese slicer to shave the chocolate over top.
- Chill another hour to help set completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can find a low carb cream cheese alternative that you like, you should be able to make a dairy-free version. Use coconut oil for the butter, and coconut cream for the liquid heavy whipping cream. You will then need to make coconut whipped cream for the topping.
You can store this in either the refrigerator or the freezer. In both cases, wrap it up tightly. It can last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to 2 months. Let it thaw completely before serving.
This keto sex in a pan recipe has 5.3g of carbs and 1.9g of fiber per serving. That comes to 3.4g net carbs per serving.
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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Just curious if you’ve made the crust with pecan flour or if it’s best to just add some pecans like in your pumpkin version? I stumbled upon a bag of pecan flour and am nervous to use it, thanks for all your delicious recipes!
The pecan flour should work fine in this.
I ADORE this recipe and would like to make it for a family member that has a nut allergy. Can you suggest an alternative crust and would another milk do as well as almond?
You bet! Try sunflower seed flour (make your own, it’s easy and can replace almond flour cup for cup) https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/how-to-make-your-own-sunflower-seed-flour/
For the almond milk, any thin milk will do.
Hi, I’m going to make this on Friday. Can leftovers be frozen?
Yes!
Wondering if you could use sugar free pudding mix and sugar free whipped cream ( store bought of course cause I’m lazy ????)
I guess, but I can assure you it won’t be as tasty!
Could you use powdered Bochasweet?
I am sure that would be fine. It may make things take a bit longer to set properly.
ANOTHER GREAT recipe Carolyne. So delish and needed no adjustments. Just like the 4 layer dessert I use to make only without all the sugar and carbs. You are amazing ???? Thank you !!!
This met with rave reviews from visiting grandkids, their parents, neighbors, manicurist….. well you get the picture. (BTW I do have a photo for you. Where do I send it?)
My friend, Irene and I like to select recipes to cook together and we had a great time preparing this. We scheduled it as a “split-shift”. It was a lot of fun. Thanks again for a great recipe!
In my area the “S” word was changed to Robert Redford in a Pan but you can always substitute your favorite celebrity! Thanks for the update and variation on a yummy dish.
George Clooney in a pan, maybe?
I’m so disappointed, this is not a fast recipe to make. I tasted every layer as I made it, and the chocolate layer definitely didn’t turn out sweet enough and sadly it overwhelmed the dish.
I love your recipes but I have failed on them twice….I don’t know if there is a repair for my poor sex in a pan.
What sweetener did you use? Because this recipe gets tons of reviews and I have NEVER had anyone say it wasn’t sweet enough.
This is so exceptional! I made it exactly as your recipe and just wanted to eat the whole pan at once. Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes. I’m diabetic with leg and feet neuropathy. I’ve finally cut all sugar from my diet and the pain is subsiding. Because of your recipes, I can safely have rich and delicious sweet treats.
I am so glad you enjoyed it. Take care of yourself!
Hi, do you think I could substitute coconut flour instead?? For the base.
Thanks
No, coconut flour is never a good replacement for almond flour. Try sunflower seed flour if you need to be nut-free.
This looks yummy! Can I make it a day in advance?
Absolutely!
Can you substitute anything else for the xanthan gum?
Glucomannan works.
I only have half and half. Will that substitute for the almond milk?
I only have half and half. Can I substitute that for the almond milk?
Hi! I made this dessert some time ago, but if I remember there was a recipe for a layer to substitute chocolate pudding (it was more like a mousse) – do you still have that? I really enjoyed it and would love to have it as an option. This is such an amazing dessert, thank you for posting it! I add raspberries on the top since they go so well with dark chocolate! 🙂
This recipe hasn’t changed at all so I am not quite sure what you are thinking of?
I made this for 4 th of July and wondered about freezing it before transporting it.
Did you already put the whipped cream topping on? I would have advised waiting and freezing it without, and then adding later… but you can certainly try now.