Who said that you couldn’t enjoy your favorite desserts and sweet treats when you are on the keto diet? Understandably, most people on keto are very wary of staying on track and in ketosis, especially when getting out of ketosis is super easy to do and can even happen without you realizing it.
Just because you are on a restricted diet doesn’t mean that you can’t find ways to indulge, and there certainly isn’t a lot of desserts more indulging than crème brûlée. This sweet and creamy treat is surprisingly easy to make and is made using very few ingredients. If you want to make a keto-friendly crème brûlée that tastes restaurant quality, then follow the recipe below!
I have also covered common crème brûlée faux pas to help you avoid making the same mistakes as other budding bakers, as well as my top secrets to making delicious keto desserts from scratch at home.
About Crème Brûlée
Crème brûlée is a traditional French dessert that dates back to 1691. It was featured in one of François Massialot’s cookbooks and has been a European classic ever since.
This dessert is sweet and creamy with a thin crispy crust on top. It should be light, refreshing, and easy to eat even after a large meal. Although it is a very simple dessert, it is rather hard to master the first few times making it as a lot can go wrong, which is why crème brûlée lovers won’t eat it in any old restaurant!

Keto Crème Brûlée Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 egg yolks
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 6 tbsp. low-calorie sweetener (natural)
Instructions
- Preparation:Before you start whisking and combining, you should gather all of your equipment and utensils. Make sure you don’t forget to preheat the oven to 320 degrees Fahrenheit and leave the oven on for at least 10 minutes before cooking the dessert to ensure it has reached the right temperature.Note: This recipe makes five small crème brûlée desserts.
- Whisk the Egg Yolks With the Vanilla ExtractWhisk up the egg yolks and vanilla extract until the egg yolks are fluffy and creamy.You can do this with a manual whisk as it won’t take much elbow grease.
- Heat the Heavy Cream and 1 Tablespoon of Sweetener in a PotPour all of the heavy cream and one tablespoon of sweetener into a pot over medium heat and stir constantly. Reduce the heat if you see the cream beginning to boil as it will burn once the cream has been simmering for a minute or so; you can slowly combine the egg yolk mixture. Ensure the cream isn’t too hot as it will cook the egg yolks and make scrambled eggs rather than cream.
- Divide into Singular ContainersDivide the mixture into small singular containers that are oven-proof. Be careful not to overfill the containers as it can make a mess in your oven if it overflows.
- Bake Until SetThere isn’t a set baking time for this as it depends on the type and style of containers you use. So how do you know when the crème brûlée has set? Look for a jelly-like wobble that isn’t runny.I suggest putting the ramekins onto a bed of boiling water so that the steam helps cook the pudding all the way through. This isn’t a necessity, but it will speed up the cooking process.
- Sprinkle a Tablespoon of Sweetner onto Each Crème BrûléeRemove the crème brûlée’s from the oven and sprinkle a hearty tablespoon of sweetener onto the desserts before melting the sweetener with a blowtorch to form a thin crust.
Notes
Common Crème Brûlée Mistakes
I suggest reading this section before making your crème brûlée’s as it will help you make them perfect the first go! Mastering the art of making desserts from scratch at home isn’t easy, but don’t worry, this section talks about all of the common mistakes people make so that you know what not to do next time you make crème brûlée.
- Broiling the Caramel
You simply won’t be able to get that thin crispy layer on top in a broiler. Do not even try making crème brûlée unless you have a kitchen torch to hand. Luckily, they only cost about $15 to $20, so invest in one, it’ll be worth it!
- Using Whole Eggs Instead of Yolks
Using only the egg yolks gives the crème brûlée its distinct texture. Egg yolks allow the crème brûlée to stay extra creamy and jelly-like, which is something that won’t happen if you use whole eggs in the dessert.
- Using the Wrong Sugar
You have to use granulated sugar for the top to caramelize properly. Sweeteners are often powdery, but brands on the market sell granulated sweeteners, so it is important that you buy something with enough texture if you want it to turn out well.
- Getting Water in the Pudding
If you are using the bain-marie method to bake your pudding, then this is relevant to you. Accidently getting water in your crème brûlée will change its texture and may even interfere with how it sets.
- Using the Wrong Ramekins
Crème brûlée is traditionally made in wide, shallow ramekins. Using six-inch ramekins appropriate for souffle and mouse won’t be appropriate for crème brûlée.
What Goes Well With Crème Brûlée?
The great thing about crème brûlée’s is that they taste amazing on their own or as part of a dessert platter. Here are some of my favorite crème brûlée flavors and added extras that will take this already prestigious dessert to the next level. These are also keto-friendly ideas, so give them a go once you have mastered making the classic keto crème brûlée.
Crème Brûlée and Raspberries
Raspberries are tart and fresh, which is more than welcome with crème brûlée. If you don’t feel confident about baking raspberries in your crème brûlée, you can make a fresh raspberry compote on the side.
Note: Fresh raspberries have the tendency to sink to the bottom of the pudding. They also ooze a lot of liquid during the cooking process.
Crème Brûlée Brownies
Yes, that is right, there is such a thing as crème brûlée brownies. Better yet, there is such a thing as keto crème brûlée brownies! Mix together your favorite keto brownie mix and pour it into a ramekin.
Next, make a small amount of crème brûlée cream and pour it on top of the brownie mixture. Bake until set and add the finishing touches to the crème brûlée. Easy!
Dark Chocolate Crème Brûlée
Using a bit of cacao and melted dark chocolate in the crème brûlée makes a welcome change if you have crème brûlée frequently. Dark chocolate has the lowest
sugar content, which makes it perfect for people on keto.
Zesty Orange Crème Brûlée
Orange zest can really transform a classic dessert into something interesting. Incorporate the zest of one orange into your crème brûlée mixture and see how it
changes. Use the recipe in this article with added orange zest if you want to give it a go.
Espresso Crème Brûlée
Coffee and cream are a match made in heaven, so it is to be expected that espresso flavored crème brûlée will go down a treat. Be careful not to add too much espresso to the mixture. It is very watery and could prevent the crème brûlée from setting.
You might need to add more egg yolks to the mixture if you are worried about this happening.
Tips and Tricks for Making Keto Desserts
There are a lot of areas where you can fall when you make keto desserts. The flavor, texture, and nutritional content have to be spot on in your dessert, so getting as much knowledge and advice about making keto desserts is vital if you are going to enjoy making and eating them. Here are some of my keto dessert secrets.
Use The Right Flour
More often than not, you will need to make your own gluten-free flour mix to get the perfect low-carb flour. Using one type of flour will not give you the texture you need for most bakes, especially if you make cake or bread. This could mean that you combine almond flour, coconut flour, and cornflour together to make the perfect cake flour.
You also need to remember that gluten-free flour has a very distinct flavor that might not suit what you are making, so your flour combination will most likely change every time to match what you are making. If you want a flour that will go with most things, go for shop-bought gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Blend Ingredients at Room Temperature
Ingredients like cream, milk, and butter are far easier to mix if they are combined at room temperature. The better the ingredients combine, the easier it will be to get an even bake and smooth texture.
Use Heavy Cream Instead of Milk
Milk has a very high carbohydrate and sugar content which isn’t good for people on a keto or low-carb diet. If a recipe calls for milk, swap it out for heavy cream instead, as it has a higher protein content and far fewer carbohydrates than regular milk.
Don’t Be Scared of Baking Powder
Gluten-free bakes need a little helping hand when it comes to being light and airy, and because of this, a lot of low-carb or gluten-free recipes call for a few spoonfuls of baking powder or baking soda. Don’t be afraid to add it as it might be the difference between a sunken and dense cake or one that has risen properly.
Take Your Time When Prepping
Prepare all of your pots, pans, and ingredients before combining them or even preheating the oven. Gluten-free bakes have a tendency to stick to pans and baking trays, so preparing the tray by either covering it with baking paper or buttering the pan will stop any baking disasters.
Follow Simple Keto Recipes
There will come a time when you are confident enough in your keto baking to tweak regular recipes to make them appropriate on keto. For now, you should stick to following recipes that have been designed for keto diets, at least until you are confident in what you are doing.
FAQ
Reading through some frequently asked questions and answers should help you with your keto baking and general gluten-free diet knowledge. Knowing how to make
keto desserts is an important skill for people on a ketogenic diet; it will make the difference between sticking to your diet or slipping out of ketosis.
Q: What is keto baking?
A: Keto baking is making keto-friendly baked goods that are in line with the rules and regulations of sticking to a ketogenic diet. Getting the taste and texture spot on in keto baking is a skill, and it takes a lot of practice to get perfect.
Q: What keto flour is the best for baking?
A: Almond flour is the most popular flour for keto baking, but you need to be careful as it has a very dominant nutty flavor which may not be suitable for every bake.
Q: What desserts can I eat on keto?
A: Baking has come a long way in the last few years, which has made it possible for everyone to enjoy their favorite desserts, regardless of their specific dietary restrictions. If you are on a keto diet, you can eat all of your favorite desserts as long as you bake them at home and follow a keto recipe.
Here are just a few of my favorite keto desserts in case you needed some inspiration:
- Crème brûlée
- Cheesecake
- Keto brownies
- Peanut butter balls
- Fudge
- Keto chocolate cake
Q: Is baking powder ok on keto?
A: Baking powder is ok on keto, but it does contain quite a lot of carbs. If you are following a recipe that calls for quite a lot of baking powder, use baking soda instead, or use one part baking soda, two parts cream tartar instead.
Q: Can I use yogurt when baking keto desserts?
A: Yes, you can use yogurt when baking keto bread and desserts. You should check the nutritional value of the yogurt before committing to using it to ensure it is low in carbohydrates and high in protein.
Q: Can you eat peanut butter on keto?
A: Yes, peanut butter is perfectly fine on keto if you eat it in moderation. You will need to keep your net carb intake to below 50 grams every day, but you also need to watch your calorie intake, so be careful with how much peanut butter you eat every day if you want to stay in ketosis.
Q: Is yeast ok on keto?
A: Yes, as far as we know, yeast does not alter the insulin levels in your body, so you can add yeast to your keto bakes to give them more flavor and a better texture.
Q: Is sour cream keto-friendly?
A: Yes, regular sour cream made out of cream is considered keto-friendly. This is because it has a far higher fat content than carbohydrates, so it is suitable for people on the keto diet.
Q: How many eggs should I eat on keto?
A: You can eat about six eggs per day on the keto diet. Make sure you space out your eggs and incorporate them into meals and snacks throughout the day.
Q: Why is cream keto but milk not?
A: Keto prioritizes fats over carbohydrates, and milk has a very low-fat content compared to cream, whereas its carbohydrate content is very high. This is why specialists advise people on the keto diet to swap out the milk for cream instead.
Q: What happens if you don’t eat enough fat on keto?
A: If you have too much protein and not enough fat on the keto diet, your body will not go into ketosis. This will make you feel very week, tired, hungry, and overall deprived.
That is why following the rules and regulations of the keto diet is very important if you want to be successful on a diet. Mistakes could even lead to weight gain, which is the opposite of what dieters are aiming for.