Layers of gluten-free vanilla almond cake, strawberries and fluffy whipped cream make this Keto Strawberry Shortcake recipe a popular dessert year-round. This sugar-free cake has a texture similar to pound cake, making it a good choice for strawberry shortcake!
I'm bringing you this Gluten-Free Sugar-Free Strawberry Shortcake recipe today because I can't wait for summer to share it with you. It's just that good!
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❤️Why you'll love this Keto strawberry shortcake recipe
- You'll have a hard time believing this tender, moist shortcake is gluten-free. Not only that, it's free from sugar, too!
- Made with a combination of almond flour and coconut flour, this keto strawberry shortcake is grain-free! (If you're looking for a gluten-free strawberry shortcake made with a gluten-free flour blend instead, you'll love this recipe for Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake with Vanilla Cupcakes.)
- I've tested this keto cake recipe several times in the last few weeks, using it in different desserts. After my first bite, I knew it was perfect for a shortcake dessert as its texture is similar to that of a pound cake. However, this cake is so much better than any store-bought pound cake or yellow sponge cake cups.
- Keto Strawberry Shortcake is a dessert that is welcome at any occasion: Valentine's Day, Canada Day, Fourth of July and more.
It was also my hubby's traditional birthday cake from the time he was a little boy. When he was on a restricted diet, I designed this recipe so he could still enjoy his favourite dessert.
Love using fresh strawberries? So do I! Here are over 25 gluten-free strawberry recipes to try.
If you're trying to cut back on sugar, or even if you're not, I know you're going to love this one and add it to your favourites!
So let's get started.
🛒 Ingredients
Here's what you'll need:
For the cake
- butter: adds flavour and creates a tender texture. Soften the butter first before combining it with the sweetener.
- sweetener: to keep this cake low-carb, use a 0-calorie sweetener. My favourite sweetener is Lacanto Monkfruit with erythritol. It acts similarly to granulated sugar in baking. However, you can use granulated sugar if you'd like. You can also use coconut sugar, but the cake will be darker in colour.
- eggs: with 4 eggs in this recipe, you'd think this cake would taste "eggy," but it does not. The eggs help the cake to rise and give it elasticity. The protein in egg whites helps to provide structure to baked goods while the yolks provide moisture.
- milk: any type: almond milk, cashew milk or other plant-based milk
- vanilla: pure vanilla extract
- almond flour: use blanched, finely ground almond flour for the best texture.
- coconut flour: is relatively low in carbohydrates while being high in protein and fiber. It's very absorbent. A small amount of coconut flour will absorb a large amount of liquid. Don't leave it out in this recipe. The combination of almond flour and coconut flour is necessary.
- baking powder: gluten-free
For the Strawberry Sauce
- strawberries: fresh or frozen
- sweetener: 0-calorie granulated sweetener like Monkfruit with erythritol, or options listed above
- the juice and zest of half a lemon
- thickener: if you want to make a thicker sauce, you can thicken it with a little cornstarch and water. However, cornstarch is too high-carb for a strict keto diet. If you're using fresh strawberries, you won't need this. Thickening the sauce is optional if you're using frozen strawberries, too. Your sauce will be a little thinner, but one of the delicious aspects of strawberry shortcake is the fact that the crushed juicy strawberries soak into the cake!
To Make the Whipped Topping
- heavy cream: also known as whipping cream OR you can use Greek yogurt
- 0-calorie sweetener like Monkfruit with erythritol (powdered or ground in your blender)
- pure vanilla extract
🔪 Instructions
- For best results, make sure your eggs are at room temperature and your butter is softened before beginning.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper so the edges are slightly draped over the sides of the pan.
- Combine the softened butter and sweetener with an electric mixer and beat until smooth and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time and continue to beat after each addition. Add the milk and vanilla.
- Combine the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl, then add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually. Beat until smooth.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly to the edges.
- Bake at 350°F. for 18-22 minutes, or until the cake is golden, springs back slightly when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan before transferring it to a cooling rack.
- To make the strawberry sauce, first make a slurry by stirring the water and cornstarch (or arrowroot) together. Combine strawberries, sweetener, lemon juice and the slurry in a medium saucepan. You can leave some strawberries whole and mash the rest if you'd like. Heat over medium heat until the sauce is bubbling, has slightly thickened and turned glossy. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
- Whip the cream with sweetener and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Cut the cooled cake into squares, then split the squares horizontally in half to make two layers. Top the bottom layer with strawberries and whipped cream then repeat with the second layer, finishing with more strawberries and whipped cream. Serve immediately or chill until serving time.
👍🏼Helpful Tips to Make Keto Strawberry Shortcake
You'll get the best results if you make sure your eggs are at room temperature and your butter is softened.
Note that this cake does not rise very high. It will only be about 1-inch thick or less once baked. However, since it has a texture similar to a pound cake, thin layers are best for this dessert. Slice the cake into four large squares or preferably six rectangles, then cut the pieces horizontally.
I like to make a strawberry sauce with a little sweetener and lemon juice to enhance the berries' flavour. Both fresh and frozen strawberries will work in this recipe. There's no need to thaw the berries first.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
If you've forgotten to soften the butter for this recipes (and who hasn't done that?) here are a few options for ways to soften butter quickly.
Slice it into small cubes and spread them out on a plate and wait.
Using a microwave for this job can result in a quick disaster of melted butter! The microwave method rarely works for me as it tends to soften unevenly.
Use this simple hack instead. Heat two cups of water in the microwave for a few minutes or until it's very hot. Meanwhile, cut your butter into cubes and place it in a glass bowl. Remove the water from the microwave and replace it with the bowl of butter. Immediately close the door, but don't turn on the microwave.
The steam and radiant heat will help soften the butter in about 10 minutes so that you can successfully cream it with sugar.
🔁 Possible Variations
Traditionally, strawberry shortcake is topped with whipped cream. However, I've made this with slightly sweetened thick Greek yogurt as well and it's delicious. You could also make (or buy) coconut whipped topping.
Change the fruit! Try it with other berries like raspberries, blueberries, cherries, or blackberries.
Double the recipe if you're serving a larger group. Bake the cake in two 8 - inch square pans, two 8-inch round pans or one 9 x 13-inch pan.
Serve this keto strawberry shortcake as a trifle instead! Cube the cake and layer it with strawberries and whipped cream in dessert glasses or 8-ounce Mason jars.
⏲ Storage Instructions
Store the cake portion covered on the counter for 2 - 3 days. After that, I'd suggest refrigerating it.
The strawberry sauce and leftover whipped cream should be refrigerated promptly.
The sauce will keep fresh in the fridge for up to a week. Whipped cream can be covered and refrigerated for 3 - 4 days.
Enjoy, everyone!
I adapted this recipe from Wholesome Yum's Vanilla Gluten-Free Keto Birthday Cake.
This recipe has been updated with new photos. The recipe remains the same.
🗒More strawberry dessert recipes
When you make this pumpkin spice bread, please leave a comment below. I love hearing from you! Thanks in advance! Subscribe to my newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox!
🗒 Gluten-free cake recipes to try
📖 Recipe
Low-Carb Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients
Cake
- 6 tablespoon butter, softened
- ½ cup Lacanto Monkfruit sweetener with erythritol
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, pure
- ¼ cup almond milk or other plant-based milk
- 1 ½ cups blanched almond flour, finely ground
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ¾ tablespoon baking powder, gluten-free
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Strawberry Sauce
- 1 pound (450 gm) strawberries, fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup Lacanto Monkfruit sweetener with erythritol
- ½ medium lemon, zest and juice of
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoon water, optional (not keto)
Whipped Topping
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (whipping cream)
- 2 tablespoon powdered Monkfruit sweetener with erythritol*, see note below
Instructions
- For best results, make sure your eggs are at room temperature and your butter is softened before beginning.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper so the edges are slightly draped over the sides of the pan.
- Combine the softened butter and sweetener with an electric mixer and beat until smooth and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time and continue to beat after each addition. Add the milk and vanilla.
- Combine the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl, then add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually. Beat until smooth.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly to the edges.
- Bake at 350°F. for 18-22 minutes, or until cake is golden, springs back slightly when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan before transferring to a cooling rack.
- To make the strawberry sauce, first make a slurry by stirring the water and cornstarch together. Combine strawberries, sweetener, lemon juice and cornstarch mixture in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until slightly thickened and the sauce has turned glossy. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Whip the cream with sweetener and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Cut the cooled cake into squares, then split the squares horizontally in half to make two layers. Top the bottom layer with strawberries and whipped cream then repeat with the second layer, finishing with more strawberries and whipped cream. Serve immediately or chill until serving time..
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I can't believe this dessert is sugar-free AND gluten-free!! So yummy!! I love all desserts with strawberry. Craving this big time now! Come on, strawberry season!
Flavour & Savour
We couldn't believe how good it was either! It's my new go-to cake recipe!
Denise@urbnspice
I appreciate your recipes so much, Elaine and your gorgeous recipe for Gluten free sugar free low carb Strawberry Shortcakes is equally so. I will definitely try them very soon. There are quite a few dietary restrictions in my children’s families so your recipe fits the bill in all these areas. Thank you so much for sharing! ❤️🍓
Flavour & Savour
Thanks so much, Denise! It's great to find recipes that kids with allergies can enjoy, too. Thanks for commenting.
Leanne
I love that this is grain-free and refined sugar free! This would be such a great dessert for a spring brunch. Strawberry shortcakes are always such a crowd pleaser!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Leanne. This cake recipe is my new favourite! It's very similar to a pound cake, so it's works well with other fruit toppings, too.
Ayngelina Brogan
Interesting! I had never heard of Monkfruit sweetener with erythritol, thanks so much for that tip!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Ayngelina, I use this natural sweetener for most of my baking. It doesn't have the aftertaste that stevia does and you can use it cup for cup in recipes. It works well for my hubby who is on a sugar-free diet.
Justine
It's hard to believe this was sugar & gluten-free! It's soooo good. Making it again for Valentine's Day 🙂
Anita
I'm still a newbie when it comes to baking with coconut flour, and this is one of the good recipes out there to try if you are like me. 🙂
HANNAH HEALY
This looks amazing! I think I might try this for valentine's day. I love that it's sugar free!
Julie
Great recipe for all of those peeps out there with Diabetes. Something even they can eat!
Pam Greer
We aren't necessarily gluten free, but with all the good ingredients in this and sugar free - it's perfect!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Pam, Honestly, my non-gluten-free friends had no idea it was free of both flour and sugar!