Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

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This Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is over-the-top delicious. Three layers of tender low carb chocolate cake with sugar-free peanut butter frosting and a rich chocolate glaze. It’s a peanut butter lover’s dream!

Chocolate peanut butter layer cake on a white cake stand with a slice cut out of it.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Carolyn and I have an all-consuming obsession with chocolate and peanut butter. It’s genetic and I’m pretty sure I’ve had this condition since birth.

It’s actually a very common affliction that affects many people worldwide. Chances are good that you have it too! Otherwise you probably wouldn’t even be reading this post.

You know the best cure for this affliction? Cake. A really amazing cake that tastes like eating keto peanut butter cups. Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is almost always the answer, no matter what the question!

If this flavor combo is your obsession, be sure to check out my Keto Peanut Butter Balls too.

Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake on a cake stand with chocolate glaze dripping down.

You will love this cake!

I originally dreamed up this beautiful Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake back in 2014. It was delicious back then but my keto baking skills have vastly improved and I decided it needed an update.

I made the cake similarly to my Keto Devil’s Food Cake, as it’s so wonderful and chocolatey. I also re-vamped peanut butter frosting by folding in whipped cream to give it lightness and structure. It was both airy and luscious, and reminiscent to Keto Peanut Butter Mousse.

Finally, I created a chocolate glaze to decorate the cake. It was the perfect consistency to drip down the sides decoratively.

The final cake is just as delicious as the original, but with even fewer carbs! It’s definitely worthy of all your special occasions.

Ingredients you need

Two photos showing the ingredients for keto chocolate cake and keto peanut butter frosting.

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Almond flour: Make sure to use a good finely ground almond flour for the best cake texture. You can also use sunflower seed flour for a nut-free version.
Sweetener: I used granular Swerve in the cake and powdered Swerve in the frosting and glaze. I also used a little allulose in the glaze to keep it shiny and soft. See the Expert Tips section for other sweetener options.
Cocoa powder: If you want a dark chocolate cake, use dark cocoa powder.
Protein powder: Added dry protein like whey protein powder gives keto cakes a lighter texture and more structure. I don’t recommend skipping it, although you can also use egg white or plant-based protein. Do not use collagen as it will make the cakes gummy and hard to cook through.
Sour cream: Full fat sour cream adds wonderful tenderness to keto cakes and muffins.
Peanut butter: Any creamy natural peanut butter should work for the frosting. I really like the Santa Cruz brand.
Cream cheese: Cream cheese gives the frosting more structure without having to add copious amounts of powdered sweetener.
Whipping cream: Folding whipped cream into the frosting gives it a luscious mousse-like texture.
Unsweetened chocolate: The chocolate drip glaze really is the perfect finish to a cake like this. Unsweetened chocolate is not the same thing as sugar-free chocolate like ChocZero or Lily’s. Those have been sweetened already.
Kitchen staples: Eggs, butter, baking powder, vanilla, salt.

Step by Step Directions

A collage of 6 images showing how to make Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.

1. Prepare the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, cocoa powder, protein powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the water one tablespoon at a time until the batter is thick but pourable.

2. Bake the layers: Divide batter evenly among 3 greased 8-inch cake pans and bake at 325ºF for 15 to 20 minutes, or until just firm to the touch. Remove and let cool completely in the pans.

3. Prepare the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, cream cheese, and butter together until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Beat in the sweetener and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whip the cream until it holds stiff peaks. Fold into the peanut butter mixture until no streaks remain.

4. Frost the cake: Place one layer of cake on a serving platter and spread with about one quarter of the frosting. Top with another layer of cake and another quarter of the frosting. Add the remaining layer of cake and spread the top and sides with the remaining frosting. Refrigerate for one hour to firm up.

5. Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate. Let sit a few minutes to melt. Add the sweeteners and whisk to combine. Let cool a few minutes to thicken.

6. Decorate the cake: Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake along the edges, letting it drip down the sides. Smooth the remaining glaze over the top of the cake. Top with keto peanut butter cups and sprinkles, if desired.

A cake lifter lifting a slice of keto peanut butter layer cake away from the rest of the cake.

Expert tips

Always make sure to prep your cake pans properly. This includes greasing the pan and lining them with parchment paper circles. And then greasing the parchment as well. This ensures that your cakes flip easily out of the pans.

Don’t overbake those cake layers! It’s easy to do and they will end up dry. I touch the tops of my cakes multiple times during baking. The minute they feel dry on top with a little bounce underneath, I get them out of the oven. Watch my video for the Best Tips on Baking Keto Cakes.

Sweetener Options

You can use almost any granular sweetener in the cake layers, but the baking time may change so keep your eye on them. Additionally, any confectioners-style sweetener should work in the frosting. I do find that allulose can make things a little softer so allow it to firm up properly in the fridge before adding the glaze.

A slice of keto chocolate peanut butter cake on a white plate over a dark blue napkin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is peanut butter keto?

Not all peanut butter is created equal. Some of the commercial brands are highly processed and full of sugar and preservatives. But natural peanut butter that has no added sugar has only about 5 to 6 grams of carbs per 2 tablespoon serving. Most people find they can use it sparingly on a keto diet without issue.

What is keto cake made of?

Keto friendly cake like this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is made with alternative flours and sweeteners. In this case, almond flour forms the base of the cake, along with protein powder and sweetener.

Can you make this cake in advance?

If you want to prepare this keto cake ahead, make the cake up to the point of adding the chocolate glaze. Then wrap carefully and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Add the glaze a few hours before serving.

Close up shot of keto chocolate peanut butter cake with a forkful taken out of it.

More Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipes:

Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: keto chocolate peanut butter cake

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 16 servings

Calories: 338kcal

Instructions

Cake

Preheat oven to 325ºF and grease three 8-inch round cake pans well. Line the bottom of the pans with circles of parchment and grease the parchment.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, cocoa powder, protein powder, baking powder, and salt.
Stir in the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the water one tablespoon at a time until the batter is thick but pourable.
Divide batter evenly among prepared cake pans and bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until just firm to the touch.
Remove and let cool completely in the pans.

Peanut Butter Frosting

In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, cream cheese, and butter together until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Beat in the sweetener and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whip the cream until it holds stiff peaks. Fold into the peanut butter mixture until no streaks remain.

To Assemble

Place one layer of cake on a serving platter and spread with about one quarter of the frosting. Top with another layer of cake and another quarter of the frosting.
Add the remaining layer of cake and spread the top and sides with the remaining frosting. Refrigerate for one hour to firm up.

Chocolate Glaze

In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate. Let sit a few minutes to melt.
Add the sweeteners and whisk to combine. Let cool a few minutes to thicken, and then slowly drizzle over the top of the cake along the edges, letting it drip down the sides.
Smooth the remaining glaze over the top of the cake. Top with keto peanut butter cups and sprinkles, if desired.

Notes

Storage Instructions: You can store the cake, carefully wrapped up, in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cake for several months. If you have cut into it already, make sure that the exposed sides have plastic wrap or waxed paper against them so that they don’t dry out. Sweetener Options: You can use other granular sweeteners in the cake layers, but the baking time may change so keep your eye on them. Additionally, any confectioners-style sweetener should work in the frosting. I do find that allulose can make things a little softer so allow it to firm up properly in the fridge before adding the glaze.

Nutrition Facts

Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Amount Per Serving (1 serving = 1/16th of cake)

Calories 338 Calories from Fat 259

% Daily Value*

Fat 28.8g44%

Carbohydrates 8.6g3%

Fiber 3.2g13%

Protein 10.3g21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.