Decadent Keto Gluten-Free Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Published: April 4, 2026
Janet MyersJanet Myers
Tags: Chocolate, Dessert, gluten-free, Low-Carb, Keto

Choc Cheesecake

Silky, low-carb chocolate cheesecake with almond crust — gluten free and keto-friendly.

Prep Time:25 minCook Time:55 minTotal Time:320 minServings:8Difficulty:Medium

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories:420 kcal
Protein:8 g
Carbs:6 g
Fat:36 g

This chocolate cheesecake is my go-to when I want something deeply indulgent without the carbs. It’s velvety, rich and satisfyingly chocolatey, built on a simple almond flour crust that’s naturally gluten free and perfectly crisp.

I love that it’s made with pantry-friendly keto swaps — sugar-free chocolate and erythritol — so you get all the dessert joy with much less sugar. Make it a day ahead for the best texture and easier entertaining.

Ingredients

  • Almond flour:1 1/2 cups
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder (crust):2 tbsp
  • Granulated erythritol (crust):3 tbsp
  • Salt (crust):1/4 tsp
  • Unsalted butter, melted:6 tbsp
  • Cream cheese, room temperature:24 oz
  • Powdered erythritol (or confectioners keto sweetener):2/3 cup
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder (filling):1/2 cup
  • Sugar-free dark chocolate (85% or sugar-free chips), chopped:4 oz
  • Large eggs:3 pieces
  • Full-fat sour cream:1/2 cup
  • Heavy cream:1/2 cup
  • Vanilla extract:1 tsp
  • Instant espresso powder (optional):1 tsp
  • Salt (filling):1/8 tsp
  • Sugar-free dark chocolate (ganache, optional):2 oz
  • Heavy cream (ganache, optional):1/4 cup
  • Fresh raspberries (optional garnish):1/2 cup

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment.

    Springform pan lined with parchment for chocolate cheesecake
  2. Make the crust: in a bowl combine almond flour, 2 tbsp cocoa, 3 tbsp granulated erythritol and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir in melted butter until mixture holds when pressed.

    Chocolate almond flour crust mixture in a bowl
  3. Press the crust evenly into the bottom (and about 1/2 inch up the sides if you like) of the prepared pan. Bake 8–10 minutes, then cool while you prepare the filling.

    Baked chocolate crust pressed into a springform pan
  4. Melt 4 oz chopped sugar-free chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or briefly in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Let cool slightly.

    Glossy melted dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl
  5. Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a hand mixer until very smooth. Add powdered erythritol and beat until combined and creamy.

    Cream cheese beaten smooth with powdered sweetener
  6. Scrape in the melted chocolate, 1/2 cup cocoa, espresso powder, and 1/8 tsp salt; mix until uniform.

    Chocolate cheesecake batter swirled with cocoa and melted chocolate
  7. Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each just until incorporated. Stir in sour cream, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and vanilla until silky; avoid overbeating.

    Silky chocolate filling with egg and cream folded in
  8. Pour the filling over the baked crust. Tap the pan on the counter to release air bubbles. For a creamier, crack-free top, place the springform pan in a larger roasting pan and add hot water about halfway up the sides (water bath).

    Chocolate filling poured into crust inside a water bath
  9. Bake at 325°F for 50–60 minutes until the edges are set and the center still has a slight jiggle. Turn off oven and let cheesecake cool inside with the door ajar for 1 hour.

    Baked chocolate cheesecake cooling in the open oven
  10. Remove from oven, lift out of water bath (if used), and chill uncovered until completely cold, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

    Chilled chocolate cheesecake set in the springform pan
  11. Optional ganache: heat 1/4 cup heavy cream until simmering, pour over 2 oz chopped sugar-free chocolate, let sit 1 minute then stir until glossy. Spread over chilled cheesecake and garnish with raspberries.

    Glossy ganache and raspberries on chocolate cheesecake
  12. Run a knife around the edge before releasing the springform and slice with a hot, clean knife for neat pieces.

    Clean slice cut from a finished chocolate cheesecake

Tips & Notes

  • Room-temperature cream cheese and eggs give the smoothest filling — take them out 1 hour before you start.
  • To prevent cracks, avoid overmixing after adding eggs and use a water bath if you can.
  • If you prefer less sweet, reduce powdered erythritol by 2–3 tbsp and taste the batter (it won’t be raw-eggy).
  • Slices are best after chilling overnight — the flavors deepen and the texture firms up.