Festive and traditional red velvet cake is transformed into a gluten free and keto red velvet cake. Adorned with creamy sugar free cream cheese frosting for. Less than 3 net carbs per serving and basic gluten free ingredients.

Am I the only person who thinks red velvet cake is confusing? Is it chocolate cake or white cake? Does it taste like your average cake or does it exhibit it’s own distinct taste? I believe red velvet cake is in a class of its own, a true trendsetter, which is a quality I greatly admire. Perhaps that is why I am so fond of this gluten free sugar free red velvet cake.
If you’re looking for a festive dessert to serve during the holidays, this is your recipe. How much more festive can you get with a red [keto] cake? Santa will approve!
A Keto Red Velvet Cake That Will Deck Your Halls
Here’s why:
- Moist, flavorful, and delicate crumb
- Sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting balances the rich flavor of the cake
- Bakery level goodness
- One bowl recipe- great for kids to help make
- Requires basic gluten free baking ingredients
- Ultra low carbs and diabetic friendly

How To Make Your Own Low Carb Red Velvet Cake
Essentially, red velvet cake is a butter cake with a hint of cocoa. Today, we add a little bit of red food dye to get the red color but traditionally the color is thought to have come from a chemical reaction in the ingredients. Here is an interesting article if you’d like to read more about the history of red velvet cake.
Per usual, I kept this keto red velvet recipe to one bowl. All you’re going to need to prepare your own gluten free red velvet cake is:
- One large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer
- Measuring cups (1 cup, 1/2 cup)
- Measuring spoon (1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon)
- 7″ or 8″ cake pan
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup powdered monkfruit
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 eggs
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sugar free chocolate chips
- about 1/2 teaspoon red food gel (I use this)
For the Frosting:
- 1 8oz block cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered monkfruit

Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cake pan with parchment paper and grease the pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients and whisk to get any lumps out.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.
- Slowly add the butter while whisking and continue whisking until it is fully combined.
- Add the red food gel until tinted to the desired degree. I used about 1/2 teaspoon.
- Fold in the sugar free chocolate chips if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let the cake cool before flipping onto to platter.
For the Frosting
- In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract together with a hand mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sweetener and beat again until combined.
- Spread the frosting on the cooled cake with an offset spatula. Use the tip of a knife to swirl the frosting and create peaks.

When It Comes To Cake Pans, Size Matters
As written, this recipe yields a single layer cake. I used this 7″ cake pan for a single layer cake. I like this pan because it will also fit in your instant pot so it can be very multipurpose! If you wanted to make a double layer cake, a 9×13 cake, or anything larger, you’ll want to double this recipe.
The size of the pan you use will determine how long it takes to bake your cake. A smaller pan will take longer because it is more dense. Conversely, a larger pan will take less time. Also, doubling or tripling the recipe will require longer bake times. Using my 7″ cake pan required a bake time of about 31 minutes but if I use a standard 9″ cake pan it only needs about 22 minutes. Size matters, friends.
After preparing your cake and getting it into the oven, simply rinse your mixing bowl and mixer attachments to reuse them to make your sugar free cream cheese frosting! Be sure to let your cake cool completely before applying the frosting.
Decorating Tip: use an offset spatula to apply a thick and even layer of frosting to the top of the cake. Then, use a knife to swirl the frosting, pulling the tip of the knife upwards to create “peaks”. It will look like you use a decorating bag without actually needing to!
Styling Tip: use fresh greenery to adorn your cake. Holly leaves and juniper stems are beautiful for the holiday season. Try roses, gardenias, begonias, or daisies during other times of the year!


Festive Keto Red Velvet Cake (3g Net Carbs)
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup powdered monkfruit
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 eggs
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sugar free chocolate chips
- about 1/2 teaspoon red food gel I use this
For the Frosting:
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese softened
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered monkfruit
Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cake pan with parchment paper and grease the pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients and whisk to get any lumps out.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.
- Slowly add the butter while whisking and continue whisking until it is fully combined.
- Add the red food gel until tinted to the desired degree. I used about 1/2 teaspoon.
- Fold in the sugar free chocolate chips if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let the cake cool before flipping onto to platter.
For the Frosting
- In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract together with a hand mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sweetener and beat again until combined.
- Spread the frosting on the cooled cake with an offset spatula. Use the tip of a knife to swirl the frosting and create peaks.
Annette
Thursday 16th of March 2023
my daughter made this for me for my birthday and it is delicious! do you have the complete nutritional info available?
Ketoinpearls
Thursday 16th of March 2023
I am so happy you like it Annette. There you go for one serving (the whole cake is 8 servings): - Calories: 425 - Total Fat: 39g - Saturated Fat: 18g - Trans Fat: 0g - Sodium: 334mg - Dietary Fiber: 3g - Sugars: 2g (includes 0g added sugars) - Sugar Alcohol: 5g (from powdered monkfruit) - Protein: 8g
Jamie
Monday 17th of October 2022
can you use swerve or splenda in place of the monkfruit? not sure how mokfruit tastes so i want to use something i am already familiar with.
Ketoinpearls
Tuesday 18th of October 2022
Hi Jamie, yes you should be able to, just make sure to use the right quantities. Good baking!
Jackie cleek
Thursday 25th of February 2021
Question: do I use unsalted or salted butter?
Anna Hunley
Friday 26th of February 2021
I always use Kerrygold Salted (because I buy it in bulk at Costco) and it works just as well as unsalted. You can use whichever you have on hand. :)
Brenda
Monday 21st of December 2020
The link for the red food gel isn't working. Can you update? Thanks, looks delicious!
Anna Hunley
Monday 21st of December 2020
Hi Brenda! I just checked the link and it took me right to the Amazon listing (on the app because I’m using my phone). I’m not sure why it didn’t work for you but maybe give it another try! Merry Christmas!
Melody
Thursday 14th of May 2020
I always have to adjust the time when using my oven. At 25 minutes my cake was all a little bit liquidy. I let it cool and when I went to eat it, it was hard and dry. The taste was great but I couldn't eat it. How can I tell when is done?
Anna Hunley
Thursday 21st of May 2020
Unfortunately, I can't pinpoint the exact problem with regards to your oven. If your oven runs hotter, then that's something you have to adjust for. Also, if you're using a larger cake pan (like 9" or 9x13"), then the batter is going to be spread thin and cook time needs to be reduced. You can always use a toothpick or small knife to check the doneness of a cake by inserting it in the center and seeing if it comes out clean.