Keto Ricotta Cake

This keto ricotta cake is a moist, tender, gluten-free Italian almond cake made with full-fat ricotta cheese, finely milled almond flour, and a sugar substitute.

It has a soft crumb, rich almond flavor, and a simple sugar-free almond icing that makes it feel special enough for a holiday table, yet easy enough to enjoy with an afternoon cup of coffee.

If you have only used ricotta cheese in savory keto recipes like lasagna or casseroles, you are in for a sweet surprise. Ricotta gives this low-carb cake a lovely richness without making it taste heavy. It creates a soft, almost creamy texture while still giving you a true cake-like crumb.

This recipe is also sugar-free, gluten-free, and made with simple keto baking ingredients. It is a great option when you want a low-carb dessert that feels elegant without being fussy.

Be sure to also visit our keto chocolate ricotta cake and our full collection of keto cakes for more delicious sugar-free desserts!

Low-Carb Italian Ricotta Cake

Italian ricotta cakes are known for being simple, tender, and lightly sweet. This keto version keeps that classic flavor and texture while replacing traditional flour and sugar with almond flour and a granulated sugar substitute.

The result is a keto Italian ricotta cake that is moist without being dense, sweet without being overpowering, and rich enough to serve plain or with the almond icing.

At only 3 net carbs per slice, this cake is a lovely choice for anyone following a keto or low-carb lifestyle. It is the kind of dessert that works for celebrations, brunch, or those times when you want something a little extra with your coffee.

One of the great things about this recipe is that it's easy to make. All you need is a bundt pan, some basic baking ingredients, and an electric mixer.

The cake takes about 45-50 minutes to bake, and the icing is made while the cake is cooling.

Why You'll Love This Keto Ricotta Cake

This cake has all the things we love in a keto dessert. It is simple to make, has a beautiful texture, and does not taste like a compromise.

You'll love that it is:

• Keto-friendly and low in carbs
• Gluten-free and sugar-free
• Made with full-fat ricotta cheese for a moist crumb
• Baked with almond flour for a classic Italian almond cake flavor
• Perfect for brunch, holidays, or dessert
• Easy to make in a bundt pan or loaf pan
• Delicious plain or topped with sugar-free almond icing

It is also a great recipe to make ahead since the flavor gets even better once the cake has had time to chill.

What Does Ricotta Do In Cake?

Ricotta cheese adds moisture, richness, and tenderness to cakes. In this keto ricotta cake, it helps soften the texture of the almond flour and gives the cake a delicate crumb.

Because almond flour does not behave like traditional wheat flour, adding ricotta helps prevent the cake from tasting dry or crumbly. It also gives the cake a slightly creamy mouthfeel without turning it into a cheesecake.

Think of this recipe as a cross between an almond cake and a classic Italian ricotta cake. It is moist, flavorful, and tender, but still slices beautifully.

Ingredients Needed For Ricotta Keto Cake

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The following are all the simple ingredients needed to make this keto-friendly ricotta cake recipe. Note that the full printable recipe card is at the bottom of the page, along with the exact measurements.

• Finely milled almond flour: For the best results, you'll want to measure and sift your almond flour, even if it's finely milled. This ensures that the cake texture is spot on.
• Sugar substitute: This recipe calls for a granulated sugar substitute. Below I have listed my recommended brands. 
• Eggs: The recipe calls for six large eggs, but don't be alarmed; it does not have an eggy flavor.
• Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese: Choose full-fat.
• Heavy Cream
• Butter: Choose unsalted butter and make sure it's at room temperature so that it creams easily.
• Vanilla & Almond Extract: Using a combination of vanilla and almond extracts gives the almond cake its classic flavor.
• Baking powder: It's the leavening agent that works best with heavy flour alternatives like almond flour.
• Sea salt: Is best, but regular table salt also works. Salt helps bring out all the flavors in the cake.

Almond Icing

• Unsalted melted butter
• Confectioner's sugar substitute
• Almond extract
• Sea salt
• Hot water to thin the icing
• Heavy cream, room temperature

Tools Needed

I recommend using a sifter anytime a recipe calls for almond flour, including finely milled.

It makes a big difference in the outcome of the baked goods, as it ensures that no big pieces of almonds are in the batter for a tender cake. You'll need to measure your almond flour first, then sift.

I bake this almond keto cake in a well-greased non-stick 9.5-inch ceramic coated 12-cup capacity bundt pan because it produces a beautiful cake every time.

However, if you prefer a loaf, you'll need a 10x5-inch loaf pan. If you go this route, be sure to grease the pan well and line the bottom with parchment paper with an overhang to make it easier to remove the cake from the pan once baked.

You'll need a mixing bowl and an electric hand mixer or stand mixer.

I always like to use a silicone spatula when using an electric mixer to scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is being mixed well.

How To Make This Keto-Friendly Ricotta Cake

Making this gluten-free ricotta cake is pretty straightforward.

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and greasing a 12-cup bundt pan with solid butter. Then, measure and sift the almond flour, baking powder, and salt, and set it aside.

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the unsalted butter, sugar substitute, ricotta cheese, heavy cream, almond extract, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Add the eggs one at a time and combine well after each addition. Slowly add all the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, several tablespoons at a time, until fully incorporated.

Spread the cake batter into the bundt pan and bake the cake on the center rack for 45-50 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a baking rack.

To make the almond icing, melt ¼ cup unsalted butter and set it aside to cool. In a small bowl, add the confectioner's sugar substitute, salt, almond extract, and hot water to the melted butter.

Combine well, and drizzle over the top of the cake while the icing is still warm.

This cake needs no further embellishments as the creaminess of ricotta cheese does all the heavy lifting, but for a more simple cake, you can leave out the icing and serve with fresh berries.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze them for up to three weeks without the flavor or texture being affected.

Best Sugar-Free Sweetener Options For This Cake

As far as which sugar substitute to use for this keto-friendly Italian ricotta cake, I have a few recommendations. If you are a regular on our site, you know I'm a huge fan of Lakanto Monk Fruit.

This is because the texture of Lakanto is spot on, and there is barely any aftertaste. It is a monk fruit and erythritol blend. If you have not given this all-natural sweetener a try, you have no idea what you are missing. 

I love that Lakanto Monk Fruit is all-natural and gets its sweetness from antioxidants called mogrosides, instead of fructose or sucrose. And it has zero calories and zero glycemic impact.

That being said, I'm also partial to Swerve, another erythritol blend.

It works well in this ricotta cake and is a great choice if you are looking for a sugar substitute that has no bitter aftertaste and measures just like sugar.

Swerve is made from ingredients found in select fruits and starchy root vegetables and contains no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or flavors. Like Lankanto, Swerve has a 0% impact on blood sugar.

I know some of you are stevia fans; if that's you, you can use the stevia and erythritol-based brand Pyure in this recipe.

However, it's important to note that if you are using Pyure, you will want to use ½ the amount called for in this recipe since it's a much sweeter option.

Lastly, if you cannot easily find a more natural sugar substitute, you can also use Splenda with great success.

As far as the icing is concerned, you will need a sugar-free confectioner's sugar option. Both Lakanto and Swerve have great ones to choose from.

I've given you many choices, but ultimately, your personal preferences when it comes to sweeteners should dictate what you use.

For more information on the best sugar substitutes to use on the keto diet, be sure to check out our guide.

Tag Us

I sure hope you give this Italian ricotta cake recipe a try and that once you do, you will take a moment to tag us on Instagram and Facebook. It's what keeps us encouraged to keep sharing and perfecting our recipes.

Grab Our Books

In case you don't know, we have authored two books for you, Essential Keto Bread and Essential Keto Desserts, both inspired by your requests over the years.

It's my prayer that these keto cookbooks will help make keto a delicious breeze for you.

Also, check out our Amazon Store for our recommendations. You might be surprised by how many great keto options are at your disposal.

Looking for a surefire way to master your keto baking skills? Be sure to check out my tried and proven keto baking tips that will make you a pro in no time.

Join Our Jesus And Keto Movement 

Randy and I came to the keto diet looking at it from a Christian perspective. As believers, we live our lives supported by God's grace.

So when the Holy Spirit led us to combine our Christian faith and the keto diet, we did so in hopes of finding lasting transformation.

To say we needed God's intervention is to put it mildly. When we followed the Holy Spirit's prompting to we got on the path to real transformation.

Knowing firsthand the benefits of this decision, we have created a closed Christian group that is using the keto diet to transform their lives.  We invite you to join our Private Facebook Group and see if it's not the key you've been missing.

Note that once you click the link, you will be prompted to answer a few questions to ensure that you understand what this group stands for.

Be sure to request our FREE Jesus and Keto E-Book (First 7 Days). We hope it blesses you.

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Get the Fit to Serve Group App for easy-to-follow keto recipes made with easy-to-source ingredients. 

The app is loaded with hundreds of yummy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and even desserts!

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