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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All your recipes are great an I can hardly wait to try this one. Quick question though:
For the chocolate pudding part of the dessert, could I simply use Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding mix made with heavy cream? Comes out like chocolate mousse. Just askin’ !
If you like.
I would like to do it as I could have your metric system working on this recipe!
Nevertheless, Thank you for all recipes you post. I ve already done a lot of the savory ones, Tamale Pie, Zucchini Pizza, Pizza casserole, Shephard pie, cauliflower smashed potato, and so many more… My family loves all your recepies and all are mouthwatering 😚🤪 Thank you so much for sharing
Best ever!! Light and luscious!
The BEST !!
I love this recipe so much! I made it twice in a row and each time I make it the whole thing lasts just over a week. So I’ve been eating it every day for 3 weeks straight.
Your pudding recipe looked super similar to your double chocolate ice cream base, so the second time I added sugar-free chocolate chips to the pudding as well and it was incredible.
This is one of my favorite desserts, this was my go-to for my birthday when I was ten and onwards. Being Southern, we make this with a toasted pecan shortbread crust. Can’t wait to try this version with a chocolate shortbread crust.
Thanks for posting!! YUM
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.
Very excited to surprise my husband with this for Father’s Day. I was just wondering if I could substitute monk fruit sweetener, and should I try to blend it until it’s powdered? Thanks!
You can certainly try. Not sure you will get it fine enough.
process the sweetener in a coffee or spice grinder. It will be nice and oowdery
I did this recipe today, followed exactly the recipe and it ended up a mess…..none of the layers stays…everything is “runny”, and it is so sweet, it burns your throat!
If it was runny, you definitely did something wrong. What sweetener did you use?
We used regular monk fruit sweetener and it still came out great!
Great tasting. But I had one problem, the chocolate layer, third for the bottom, was runny. Can someone tell me why?
Did you use allulose?
I can’t find powdered Swerve in store and don’t have time to order – is there a possible substitute??
It has to be a powdered sweetener.
Put granular swerve in a food processor or blender and it will become powdered swerve
This is, hands down, the best Keto dessert I have ever had. It doesn’t have that funny taste associate with it at all. And the pudding layer is super yummy! Can you freeze the leftovers?
We don’t keep almond milk in our house. Can I use half and half or heavy cream?
Love all of your recipes.
Too much heavy cream will make it too thick. You need some sort of thinner milk. Can even be dairy milk, although it is higher in carbs.
Instead of almond milk I use half heavy whipping cream and half water
my husband loves this recipe so much he wants me to sign a contract to make this ever week lol
Hahahahahah!
Made this for NYE Dinner at a friends…no one could tell it was low carb….it’s a keeper !
This is an awesome keto dessert. Just wonderful. I would not change a step. However, in a pinch, you can just use canned keto friendly whipped cream for the last layer. Then, if you can find only Lilly sugar free choc chips grind them to a dust and specks. Delish!!!
I made this in a 9×9 but want to make it in a 9×12. What would be the correct measured ingredients?
You can do that math pretty simply. 🙂 9×9=81. 9×12=108. That’s a difference of 27 square inches… which is about 1/3 of the original recipe. So you scale up by 30%.
I am curious though… what pan is 9×12? They’re usually 9×13.
You are correct, I meant 9 x 13. I was wanting to know how much to increase the “Servings'” to in the recipe given above.
9×13 usually serves 18 to 20.
On the flip side, 8×8 pan would be 79%, or 12.65 servings. I rounded down to 12 servings since that’s 3 egg yolks.