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    Home » Keto Cakes » Keto Cheesecake

    Published: Jul 5, 2021 · Modified: Aug 27, 2022 by Carolyn

    Keto Cheesecake

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

    59.8K shares
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    This is the best keto cheesecake recipe! So rich and creamy, it will make you swoon at the first bite. With only 3g of carbs per slice, you can dig in with gusto!

    Let’s just get this straight right now. Keto cheesecake is possibly as close to heaven as you will get on this earth. Or at least as close to heaven as you will get on a ketogenic diet.

    I really do have a passion for making cheesecake and I am grateful that it’s so easy to make without sugar. When I first embarked on a low carb diet, cheesecake was among the first keto dessert recipes I made. And it was so good, I kept dreaming up all sorts of different flavors. Now I’ve got everything from Keto Strawberry Cheesecake to Mini “Snickers” Cheesecakes.

    So you might say that it’s one of the things that keeps me happily sticking to my healthy diet. As long as I know that there is keto cheesecake in the world, I can handle anything.

    Crustless Keto Cheesecake on a white cake stand with strawberries on top.

    Why you must try this recipe

    This keto cheesecake recipe is made in the New York style. You may well be wondering how that differs from classic cheesecake, and I’ve got one word for you: texture.

    New York cheesecake is more dense and creamy than the regular kind. It’s so smooth and rich, it’s like velvet on your tongue. And it has a very simple flavor profile, without too many additions. Most people top it with a simple berry sauce.

    It often includes sour cream or heavy cream, and sometimes even a little butter to give it a unique velvety texture.

    The end result is so rich and delicious, it doesn’t even need a crust! That keeps it simple and even lower in carbs. So you can eat more of it!

    A slice of keto cheesecake on a white plate, with strawberry sauce and whipped cream on top.

    Reader Testimonials

    “I’ve been making this cheesecake for over a year now and it comes out great every time. Thanks for such a great and easy recipe. It’s so nice to have a treat and not feel guilty about it.” — Annette

    “This is absolutely THE BEST cheesecake I have ever made or tasted. Nothing else nowadays comes close to these macros while being *more* delicious than the sugar-laden cheesecakes out there. My non keto inlaws loved it and didn’t know it was sugar free.” — Angela

    Ingredients you need

    Top down image of the ingredients required for making keto cheesecake.
    • Full fat cream cheese: Read the labels and avoid brands with lots of fillers, which can raise the carb count. Good organic cream cheese such as Organic Valley has only 1g carbs per serving (1 oz), and the USDA listing for cream cheese indicates that it has 1.2g carbs per ounce.
    • Butter: This recipe uses unsalted butter.
    • Powdered sweetener: I highly recommend using Swerve Confectioners for this cheesecake. I made this for a friend recently using an allulose based sweetener, and it took almost 24 hours to set properly in the fridge. So be mindful that any changes to the original recipe may affect the outcome.
    • Sour cream: The addition of sour cream gives the filling a rich, velvety texture.
    • Lemon zest: The lemon zest adds flavor but it’s not required for texture. Feel free to leave it out, or add lime zest or orange zest instead.
    • Vanilla extract: Feel free to play with the flavors and use other extracts, such as almond.
    • Eggs: Always use large eggs, and make sure they are room temperature.

    Step-by-step directions

    A collage of 6 images showing how to make Keto Cheesecake.

    1. Generously grease a 9-inch springform pan. Cut a circle of parchment to fit the bottom the pan and grease the paper. Wrap 2 pieces of aluminum foil around the outside of the pan to cover the bottom and most of the way up the sides.

    2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter for 1 to 2 minutes, until completely smooth. Then beat in the powdered sweetener until well combined.

    3. Add the sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla extract and beat until the batter is smooth. Scrape down the beaters and the sides of the bowl as needed.

    4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until just barely combined. Pour the batter in the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Tap the pan gently on the counter a few times to help release any air bubbles.

    4. Set the pan inside a roasting pan large enough to prevent the sides from touching. Place the roasting pan in the oven and carefully pour boiling water into the roasting pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the springform pan.

    5. Bake 70 to 90 minutes, until the cheesecake is mostly set but still jiggles just a little in the center when shaken. Remove the roasting pan from the oven, then carefully remove the springform pan from the water bath. Let cool to room temperature.

    6. Run a sharp knife around the edges of the cake to loosen, the release the sides of the pan. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. 

    A slice of keto cheesecake on a white plate, over a red napkin.

    Expert tips

    Bain marie: Using a water bath, or a bain marie, creates a gentle heat the cooks the cheesecake slowly. This is a vital part of creating a rich, creamy texture. Make sure you wrap the pan tightly in foil so that water doesn’t leak in during cooking.

    Room temperature ingredients are a must! If you add cold liquids or eggs to the cream cheese, it will clump badly. And once it becomes lumpy, it’s hard to rescue and smooth it out again.

    Add the eggs last: This is one of the best pieces of advice I can give for making ANY cheesecake, keto or not. It helps you avoid over-beating the cheesecake mixture, which can cause cracking.

    Don’t over-beat: Overly vigorous mixing whips air into cheesecake batter, causing it to rise and puff up, and then fall and crack as it cools. Beat each egg in until just combined and stop right there.

    Jiggle it, just a little bit. You know your cheesecake is done when it’s mostly set but the center still jiggles slightly when you shake the pan.

    Want to add a crust? If you really want a crust for your keto cheesecake, you can use the shortbread crust from Keto Lemon Cheesecake Bars. Press it into the pan, and pre-bake as directed in that recipe.

    Close up of keto cheesecake with strawberry sauce, with a forkful taken out of it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is it OK to eat cheesecake on keto?

    Most cheesecake recipes have a high sugar content and shouldn’t be consumed on a keto diet. However, with a few minor changes, you can make cheesecake that is very low in carbs. And as it has a high fat content, it’s an ideal keto dessert.

    How many carbs are in keto cheesecake?

    This keto cheesecake recipe has only 2.9g total carbs per serving. This does not include the easy berry sauce or any other toppings or additions.

    Can I freeze keto cheesecake?

    Absolutely! This cake freezes like a dream. You can freeze the entire cake or cut it into individual slices and freeze those. As always, wrap it up tightly to avoid freezer burn. It will be good for at least 2 months.

    My keto cheesecake cracked, what did I do wrong?

    There are a number of possibilities. It could be that you over-beat the mixture, so be careful there. It may also be that you didn’t cool it properly before chilling. Once it cools to room temperature, run a sharp knife just around the inside of the pan to loosen it before you release the pan sides. Otherwise the sides will pull the cheesecake apart and cause cracks.

    A fork digging into a slice of keto cheesecake with sugar free praline sauce on top.

    Serving Suggestions

    This wonderful keto cheesecake is a blank slate. You can eat it simply as it is or you can add some delicious toppings. I’ve included a simple sugar-free berry sauce in the recipe notes. But you might also like these other delicious ideas:

    • Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup
    • Keto Pecan Praline Sauce
    • Homemade Sugar Free Nutella
    • Keto Caramel Sauce
    • Fresh berries

    Keto Cheesecake Recipe

    This is the best keto cheesecake recipe! So rich and creamy, it will make you swoon at the first bite. With only 3g of carbs per slice, you can dig in and still manage your macros.
    4.92 from 137 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: keto cheesecake, keto cheesecake recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Chill Time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 287kcal

    Ingredients

    • 24 ounces cream cheese softened
    • 5 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
    • 1 cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
    • ¾ cup sour cream room temperature
    • 2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
    • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 3 large eggs room temperature
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 300F and generously grease a 9-inch springform pan. Cut a circle of parchment to fit the bottom the pan and grease the paper. Wrap 2 pieces of aluminum foil around the outside of the pan to cover the bottom and most of the way up the sides.
    • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter for 1 to 2 minutes, until completely smooth. Then beat in the sweetener until well combined.
    • Add the sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla extract and beat until smooth. Scrape down the beaters and the sides of the bowl as needed.
    • Add the eggs, once at a time, beating each until just barely combined. Pour into the prepared springform pan and smooth the top.
    • Set the pan inside a roasting pan large enough to prevent the sides from touching. Place the roasting pan in the oven and carefully pour boiling water into the roasting pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the springform pan.
    • Bake 70 to 90 minutes, until the cheesecake is mostly set but still jiggles just a little in the center when shaken. Remove the roasting pan from the one, then carefully remove the springform pan from the water bath. Let cool to room temperature.
    • Run a sharp knife around the edges of the cake to loosen, the release the sides of the pan. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. 

    Video

    Notes

    Easy Keto Berry Sauce: Combine 1 cup berries of choice and ¼ cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes, until berries are soft enough to mash. Stir in ¼ cup powdered sweetener. Let cool to room temperature before pouring over the cake. 
    Storage Information: Store keto cheesecake in the fridge, tightly wrapped up, for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for several months. 
     
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Keto Cheesecake Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (1 slice)
    Calories 287 Calories from Fat 222
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 24.7g38%
    Carbohydrates 2.9g1%
    Protein 5.3g11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    59.8K 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.

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Annette Stark says

      May 18, 2022 at 1:58 pm

      I’ve been making this cheesecake for over a year now and it comes out great every time. Thanks for such a great and easy recipe. It’s so nice to have a treat and not feel guilty about it.

      Reply
    2. Angela says

      May 13, 2022 at 8:02 pm

      5 stars
      This is hands down THE BEST keto cheesecake recipe ever! My whole family loves it, my friends had no idea it was keto (my BFF called it “the perfect cheesecake”), and it’s my go-to dessert for any occasion or just everyday. The taste and texture rival any sugary concoction out there, and overall it beats any and all bakery cheesecakes (again, hands down). I’d give it a zillion stars but, alas, I can only give five.

      Reply
    3. Katrina Yap says

      May 03, 2022 at 9:04 pm

      Hi! I’d like to try this recipe! But I only have an 8 inch spring form pan. What adjustments do I need to make to use it? Temperature? Thaaaanks

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 03, 2022 at 9:07 pm

        Temp is the same. You have a choice… bake it longer (I can’t possibly say how long without testing it myself) or cut down the recipe a bit to fit your pan.

        Reply
    4. Debbie says

      April 20, 2022 at 7:41 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! So creamy and tastes great. I added a keto chocolate crust and some at chocolate chips. Next time I’ll use less lemon zest, but it was great!

      Reply
    5. Delia says

      April 17, 2022 at 5:01 pm

      This is way too delicious, so much so that I can’t stop eating it. Thank you!

      Reply
    6. Diana says

      March 21, 2022 at 12:48 am

      Carolyn, can I use powdered erythritol for this recipe? I love cheesecake and I am dying to try some of your lovely recipes, Diana

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 21, 2022 at 6:48 am

        Sure, that’s fine.

        Reply
    7. Julee says

      March 09, 2022 at 9:50 pm

      5 stars
      Even if this wasn’t keto, it’s my first choice for cheesecake! Bonus that it is keto.

      Reply
    8. María Barrick says

      February 13, 2022 at 10:54 pm

      5 stars
      Carolyn this is really the best keto New York cheesecake. I made it today and is delicious!! Thank you for your excellent recipes.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        February 14, 2022 at 8:41 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    9. Bess says

      January 30, 2022 at 11:36 pm

      5 stars
      In my opinion, this is the best one yet !
      Thank you so much!

      Reply
    10. Teresa says

      January 28, 2022 at 1:06 pm

      Hi Carolyn
      Love the fact it has no crust! Could a slow cooker be used (rather than oven or instant pot) with water and a 7″ springform pan? Any reference for timing?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 28, 2022 at 1:16 pm

        I honestly don’t know as I didn’t bake mine that way. You would need to reduce the mixture quite a bit for a 7 inch pan.

        Reply
        • Teresa says

          January 28, 2022 at 1:50 pm

          That make sense. Have you tried using the slow cooker for doing a cheesecake?

          Reply
    11. Sarah says

      January 23, 2022 at 7:13 pm

      5 stars
      You’d never know that this was keto, it’s delicious! The cooling effect of Swerve doesn’t affect me in this recipe (if anyone reading this is bothered by it in some other recipes). I may have eaten this cheesecake for breakfast a few times this week with some fresh raspberries, haha! Feels like “cheating” but it’s not!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 23, 2022 at 10:36 pm

        Excellent!

        Reply
    12. Kristine says

      December 28, 2021 at 6:08 pm

      I made this today! Part of an early New Years Eve dinner. Excited to try for taste and texture. I did over-beat because I do have a crack in the middle, but for today, I’m OK with that.

      Reply
    13. Mary Smith says

      November 27, 2021 at 5:51 pm

      3 stars
      Here’s my sad story with a sorta happy ending with this cheesecake, After softening the cream cheese and butter for at least 5 hours on the counter, along with the eggs, when I attempted Step 2 in my Kitchen Aid, the ingredients immediately formed a small bosu ball shape. After 2 attempts at cleaning the mixer blade (and wiping the powdered Swerve mist off the counter) and continuing “mixing,”, I wound up blending by hand (I don’t have a bowl that accommodates my hand mixer, and anyway there you have 2 blades instead of 1 to clean, yuck). By the time I added the eggs, there were still lumps in the mixture, but by then I was over it and decided the heck with it, it’s gonna get baked as is. So it came out tasting pretty good, if you don’t mind the occasional lump of butter/cheese/whatever. This is so incredibly rich that it would take the 2 of us 6 months to finish it, so I’m gonna freeze the leftovers. Bottom line: jury is still out on whether I would make this again. The thought of having to leave the ingredients out overnight to soften even more than I already did is kinda daunting.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        November 27, 2021 at 6:36 pm

        Sounds like they weren’t properly softened (not necessarily your fault, but if your house is chilly, they stay too firm!). OR… you use a cream cheese that had a lot of added fillers and didn’t work well. Did you use the sour cream? That should thin things out considerably.

        You don’t have to let things stay out overnight to soften properly. A quick 15 second zap in the microwave helps soften them enough to beat properly.

        Reply
        • Mary Smith says

          November 27, 2021 at 10:51 pm

          Yes , I used the sour cream. Thanks for the microwave tip, tho ❤️

          Reply
          • Carolyn says

            November 28, 2021 at 9:31 am

            Something went awry and I can’t figure out quite what but yes… your butter and cream cheese should have been super smooth before moving forward. I am guessing that temperature was part of it and that they just weren’t as softened as you need them to be.

            Reply
    14. Lily says

      November 25, 2021 at 12:39 am

      5 stars
      This cheesecake was amazing, so creamy and full of flavor!! It was the perfect dessert for our weekend!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        November 25, 2021 at 8:57 am

        Glad to hear it!

        Reply
    15. Katie says

      November 24, 2021 at 5:29 pm

      5 stars
      Cheesecake is one of the best keto treats. So creamy and delicious!

      Reply
    16. Kelly says

      November 13, 2021 at 8:47 pm

      I just died and went to heaven. I made this tonight with the crust recommended from your lemon cheesecake bars and also made your caramel sauce to top it. SO SO SO good! Probably the best cheesecake I have ever made! Thank you for everything you do Carolyn. I have yet to find a recipe of yours that I don’t absolutely love.

      Reply
    17. Elaina says

      October 13, 2021 at 1:48 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my… scrumptious!!! I was going to do one that asked for 6 box of cream cheese and I just thought that was too much, I searched and found your recipe I am so happy I did it’s perfect and it taste just like the real thing or better. Thank you!

      Reply
    18. Nina says

      October 12, 2021 at 4:26 am

      what can i replace with sour cream? I know some will recommend yogurt but is it fine to replace it with cream instead?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        October 12, 2021 at 7:48 am

        New York cheesecake (and this recipe) require the sour cream for proper texture. More cream cheese won’t really do it although you can try greek yogurt.

        Reply
    19. Melba Moon (MJ Flournoy) says

      September 24, 2021 at 11:56 pm

      5 stars
      OMG! this is my favorite Keto Cheesecake recipe! Hubby loves it, I love it. Easy to make. I can’t praise it enough. Thank you for this recipe!

      Reply
    20. Kim & Pete says

      September 18, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      We will never go back . . . this is amazing.

      Reply
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