Keto Lemon Cake

This Keto Lemon Cake is soft, moist and full of bright lemon flavors. It’s made with layers of soft, tender lemon cake, paired with a creamy citrus frosting and the perfect healthier low carb dessert for spring and summer parties.

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Easy Keto Lemon Cake

Citrus season is here and that means it’s time for all the lemon dessert recipes! This Keto Lemon Cake is definitely a keeper – it’s a bright and fun treat that will lift your spirits any time of year. Every lemon lover needs this tangy dessert in their life. It’s perfection and the perfect healthy dessert for spring and summer!

And there’s no better time than now to try it! This cake has all the flavor of a lemon square in the form of a layered, frosting-covered masterpiece. It’s a great option for people who love lemon but don’t necessarily like the texture of lemon bars. It uses a combination of lemon zest, lemon juice and lemon extract to give you the most amazing lemon flavor in every bite!

Is this a Healthy Dessert?

As far as cakes go, this one’s pretty healthy. You can check out the nutrition information in the recipe, but to know for sure, we always recommend doing the calculations yourself, as it can differ based on the brands you’re using or the substitutions you’ve made.

In addition to being gluten-free and low carb, this dessert is easily dairy-free and can be made paleo with a few substitutions. If want to treat yourself to a homemade cake while staying healthy, this recipe is among the best options!

Why we love this easy lemon cake

If you are a lemon lover like me, this healthier lemon cake is for you! It’s bursting with bright lemon flavors and has all those amazing flavors we love in a classic lemon cake.

It’s the perfect healthy dessert for Mother’s Day, Father’s day, spring and summer birthdays, barbecues and picnics.

Plus, it’s made with simple pantry ingredients that you most likely already have,

The cake recipe comes together easily with simple ingredients and nobody will be able to tell that it’s  gluten-free, grain-free and can easily be made dairy-free and paleo with the substitutions we’ve included below.

Not only is this the best tasting keto lemon cake we’ve made, but it’s it’s the perfect simple but elegant dessert.

Ingredients you need

Let’s get into the simple list of ingredients that make this delightful cake happen. Here’s what you should have on hand:

For the Lemon Cake

• Superfine Blanched Almond Flour:: This low-carb, high-nutrient flour alternative is a favorite of mine. Be sure to use superfine blanched almond flour and not almond meal. Measure properly using the spoon and level method.
• Coconut flour: This gluten-free flour provides structure to the cake and absorbs moisture so be sure to measure properly. When combined with almond flour, it balances out the flavor of gluten free cakes to mimic classic flour cakes.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: leavening powders that work together to help the cake rise. You’ll need one teaspoon of each.
• Sea Salt: Fine, not coarse.
• Vinegar: This will work with the leavening agents to help your cake rise beautifully. And you won’t be able to taste it in the cake!
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: Or your preferred milk substitute, room temperature.
• Large Eggs: Room temperature. Help to give the cake structure and bind everything together.
• Granulated monk fruit sweetener:A low-glycemic sugar-free sweetener that resembles the taste of regular sugar but is keto-friendly, diabetic-friendly and paleo friendly. If you don’t have monk fruit sweetener, you can swap with another low carb sweetener like SWERVE, erythritol or stevia. And if you are not low carb, maple sugar works great for lighter color cakes like vanilla and lemon. If you don’t have maple sugar you can swap with coconut sugar but the color will be much darker
• Refined Coconut Oil: Melted and cooled. Feel free to use a neutral flavored oil, if preferred.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: This sets the stage for the lemon to shine through!
• Lemon Extract: Make sure it’s labeled as pure for the most natural-tasting result.
• Lemon Juice & Zest: You can use fresh or bottled juice, as long as it’s pure.

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

• Unsalted Butter: Softened.
• Cream Cheese: Softened. Use dairy-free cream cheese if needed.
• Powdered Maple Sugar: Use powdered monk fruit sweetener or another powdered sweetener for keto/low-carb.
• Vanilla Extract
• Lemon Extract and Lemon Zest
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: Or another milk of choice.

How to make Keto Lemon Cake

• Prep for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat the cake pans with nonstick baking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper rounds. Set aside.
• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Set aside.
• Mix together the Almond Milk & Vinegar: In a measuring cup, measure out the almond milk and add the vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit and curdle for about 5 minutes while you mix the other ingredients.
• Finish Combining Wet Ingredients: In another separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, golden monk fruit, coconut oil, vanilla extract, lemon extract, lemon juice and lemon zest. Pour in the curdled milk and mix until combined.
• Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir until well combined.
• Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the baking pans and smooth out the tops with a spatula. Bake for 19-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let Cool: Allow the cakes to cool in the cake pans for at least 30 minutes, then carefully remove them from the pans. Transfer the cake layers to wire racks to cool them to room temperature before frosting.

How to make Low Carb Frosting

Make the Frosting

• Beat Butter: Using a hand mixer or in the bowl of an electric stand mixer, add the softened butter and beat it on high for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
• Mix in the Cream Cheese: Add the cream cheese and continue beating for an additional 3 minutes, until combined.
• Add Remaining Ingredients: Slowly add in the powdered sweetener, vanilla extract, lemon extract, lemon zest and almond milk. Beat for 2-3 minutes, until creamy and smooth.
• Chill: Cover and chill in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the cake.

Are Lemons Keto?

Yes, lemons are not only rich in Vitamin C, citric acid, they are also low in carbs and make a healthy addition to keto.

Can I have cake on Keto?

Since typical cakes are full of high glycemic sugar, butter and high carb flours they do not usually fit into a keto diet.

• Our keto lemon cake is made with flourless and low glycemic sweeteners so when enjoyed in moderation, you can eat lemon cake on keto.

So how many carbs are in a lemon cake? The macros for one slice of unfrosted flourless lemon cake is:

• 248 calories, 3 grams NET carbs, 6 grams protein and 23 grams fat

The macros for one slice of frosted flourless lemon cake is:

• 358 calories, 8 grams NET carbs, 6 grams protein and 35 grams fat

Vegan frosting alternative

To make a dairy free cream cheese frosting:

Beat together coconut butter (coconut manna) and Kite Hill dairy free plain cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered  sweetener and vanilla extract until smooth. Add a little bit of coconut milk to reach desired consistency.

Tips for Success

In order to ensure your lemon layer cake comes out perfect, check out these quick tips and tricks.

• Don’t Use Almond Meal: Almond meal and almond flour are not the same thing. Almond meal is coarser and won’t work well in this recipe – be sure to use superfine blanched almond flour.
• Let Cake Cool Completely Before Frosting: Don’t try to assemble your cake if the layers are warmer than room temperature. This could cause the frosting to melt into the cake.
• Beat Butter Well: When making your lemon frosting, don’t stop beating your butter until it becomes light and fluffy. This should take about 2 minutes.
• Chill Cake: Once assembled, this cake should be stored in the fridge for at least an hour before it’s cut and served. Otherwise, it will be difficult to get clean slices. I also think this particular dessert tastes better when it’s cold!

How to Store Homemade Cake

To store lemon cake leftovers, store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or cover with plastic wrap and store in a resealable freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Cream cheese frosting can be left at room temperature for up to 8 hours. After 8 hours, stored cream cheese frosting in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days or 3 months in the freezer.

Can I Freeze Extras?

Yes, this cake is freezer friendly! Wrap the entire cake or individual slices tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.

More keto cake recipes you will love:

Decadently Delicious Keto Chocolate Cake

Tender Low Carb Vanilla Cake

The Best Low Carb Strawberry Cheesecake

Creamy Keto Cheesecake

Keto Ice Cream

Easy Low Carb Keto Carrot Cake

Simple Low Carb Keto Mug Cake

5 from 78 votes

Print

Keto Lemon Cake

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

22 mins

 

This Keto Lemon Cake is soft, moist and full of bright lemon flavors. It's made with layers of soft, tender lemon cake, paired with a creamy citrus frosting and the perfect healthier low carb dessert for spring and summer parties.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: blueberry lemon desserts, keto cake, lemon cake, lemon dessert, low carb cake, paleo cake, paleo lemon cake, spring dessert

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 248 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• 2 cups superfine blanched almond flour
• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 tablespoon vinegar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk , room temperature (can also use any milk of your choice)
• 4 large eggs , room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated monk fruit sweetener
• 2/3 cup melted and cooled coconut oil or neutral flavored oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon pure lemon extract
• 3 tablespoons pure lemon juice
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
• FOR THE FROSTING:
• 1/3 cup unsalted grass-fed butter , softened (OR softened coconut butter / manna for dairy free)
• 8 ounces cream cheese , softened (or dairy free cream cheese)
• 2 - 2.5 cups powdered monk fruit sweetener , or other confectioners' low carb / paleo sweetener of your choice (SWERVE or erythritol)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pure lemon extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons almond milk or any other milk of your choice
• FOR GARNISH:
• Lemon slices

Instructions

1. FOR THE LEMON CAKE:
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Lightly coat three 6-inch round cake pans or two 8-inch cake pans with nonstick baking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper rounds. Set-aside.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Set aside.
5. In a measuring cup, measure out the almond milk and add the vinegar. Allow to sit and curdle for about 5 minutes while you mix the other ingredients.
6. In another separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, golden monk fruit, coconut oil, vanilla extract, lemon extract, lemon juice and lemon zest. Pour in the curdled milk and mix until combined.
7. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir until well combined.
8. Evenly divide the batter between the baking pans and smooth out the tops with a spatula. Bake for 19-24 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Allow cakes to cool in the cake pans for at least 30 minutes, then carefully remove from cake pans. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely to room temp before frosting.
10. FOR THE FROSTING:
11. Using a hand mixer or in the bowl of an electric stand mixer, add the softened butter and beat on high for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the cream cheese and continue beating for an additional 3 minutes until combined. Slowly add the powdered sweetener, vanilla extract, lemon extract and lemon zest and almond milk and beat for 2-3 minutes until creamy and smooth. Cover and chill in the fridge until ready to frost.
12. FROST AND ASSEMBLE THE CAKE:

13. Once the cake layers are completely cool, invert the bottom cake layer onto a cake stand or cake platter and add a layer of frosting, smoothing with a spatula. Repeat with remaining layers (and sides of the cake, if desired with remaining frosting). Decorate with lemon slices and chill in the fridge for an hour or two before slicing.

14. Store cake covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Keto Lemon Cake

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 248 Calories from Fat 207

% Daily Value*

Fat 23g35%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 6g12%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We 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. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.