Keto-Friendly Pound Cake Muffins

Name: Keto-Friendly Pound Cake Muffins
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 2 Tbsp grass-fed butter; ½ cup erythritol, powdered; 2 oz cream cheese; 2 large eggs; ¾ cup almond flour; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ¼ tsp salt; 1 tsp baking powder

By Dr. Eric Berg DC

09/02/2024

Keto-Friendly Pound Cake Muffins

Total Time: 35 mins

Serves: 6

Per serving: 160 calories, 6 g protein, 3 g carbohydrates, 16 g fat

Ingredients

Cooking spray

2 Tbsp grass-fed butter

½ cup erythritol, powdered

2 oz cream cheese

2 large eggs

¾ cup almond flour

1 tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
Prepare muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with cupcake pan liners.
In a medium bowl, beat together butter, erythritol, and cream cheese using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, almond flour, vanilla, salt, and baking powder. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Divide batter evenly into muffin molds.
Bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
Remove Pound Cake Muffins from muffin tin and let cool completely on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe tips:

Add Greek yogurt or sour cream to the flour mixture for a tangy twist.
To make Keto Lemon Pound Cake Muffins, add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to the batter.
Incorporate chopped nuts or poppy seeds to add texture and a little crunch.
Top with a sugar-free glaze and a few fresh berries to create Berry Pound Cake Cupcakes with a sweet and tangy flavor.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or sugar-free lemon curd for an indulgent treat.
Use baking soda instead of baking powder for a fluffier texture.

Muffins on table

Do you love the rich, buttery sweetness of pound cakes but are concerned about carbs and sugars? Look no further than these Keto Pound Cake Muffins.

With only three grams of carbs per serving, these fluffy and decadent treats are the perfect after-meal desserts that won't disrupt ketosis.

Why you’ll love this keto-friendly recipe

Whether dipped in coffee, served with whipped cream, or eaten plain, these Pound Cake Muffins are a keto dieter's dream come true.

They're grain-free, 100 percent keto-approved, and are packed with healthy fats, making them a guilt-free indulgence.

These versatile muffins allow you to get creative with your favorite toppings and flavors. The possibilities are endless, from adding fresh berries to covering them in sugar-free maple syrup.

With only eight ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is ideal for busy mornings or a quick weekend treat.

You can even make a batch ahead of time and freeze it to have a fuss-free keto-friendly dessert on hand whenever you need it.

pound cake muffins ingredients

About the ingredients

While baking with keto-friendly ingredients can be intimidating, this recipe keeps it simple.

Here's a breakdown of the main ingredients and their role in making these delicious and nutritious muffins.

Almond flour

Almond flour gives these low-carb Pound Cake Muffins a moist and tender texture while keeping them grain-free.

Additionally, almond flour is considered one of the best alternatives to wheat flour because it’s gluten-free, high in protein, and packed with nutrients that promote overall health.

Research published in Wild Plants, Mushrooms and Nuts: Functional Food Properties and Applications found almonds to be a rich source of healthy monounsaturated fats, dietary fiber, and vitamin E.

Almonds also contain phytosterols and polyphenols, which have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering effects.

Erythritol

Erythritol is a natural, low-calorie sweetener typically used in powdered form to replicate the texture and taste of traditional powdered sugar.

Unlike artificial sweeteners, erythritol is naturally found in certain fruits and vegetables and doesn't leave an unpleasant aftertaste.

What’s more, this keto-approved sweetener has a low glycemic index (GI), meaning it won't affect blood sugar or insulin levels, making it a safe choice for people with diabetes.

Butter and knife

Grass-fed butter

Grass-fed butter adds richness to these pound cake muffins while providing a good source of healthy fats.

“Butter contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a health-promoting fatty acid known to boost muscle strength and reduce the risk of heart disease,” explains Dr. Berg.

This is confirmed by research published in Nutrients, which found that moderate intake of CLA is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases and balanced cholesterol levels.

Cream cheese

Cream cheese is a popular dairy product made from a mixture of milk and cream that helps to make these muffins extra moist.

In addition to providing a silky texture, cream cheese offers essential nutrients, including vitamin A, calcium, and magnesium.

Furthermore, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that consuming dairy products may support weight loss and maintenance and help reduce the risk of obesity.

Eggs

Eggs are a cornerstone of baking, offering structure and acting as a binding agent. They're protein-rich and contain essential vitamins and minerals, including choline and selenium.

Choline is vital for healthy liver and nerve function, while selenium enhances the body’s antioxidant defenses, which helps to protect cells from damage.

Lemon poppy seed muffins

Keto Pound Cake variations

If you're feeling creative, this recipe has endless variations to make these low-carb Pound Cake Muffins even more delicious.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Lemon poppy seed: Add lemon extract and poppy seeds to the batter for a zesty twist.
Mixed berry: Add fresh berries, such as blueberries or raspberries, to the mixture before baking.
Peanut butter swirl: Include sugar-free natural peanut butter into the flour mix to infuse your muffins with a delightful nutty flavor.
Almond joy: Mix in chopped almonds and sugar-free chocolate chips for a keto-friendly version of the classic candy bar.

Taking muffin out of the oven

Storing and serving tips

This decadent Keto Pound Cake Muffin recipe yields six servings, and while they are best served fresh, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

You can also freeze these desserts for up to three months. Label them with the date and flavor for easy identification.

To reheat, let the muffins thaw for a few minutes before placing them in a toaster oven for 3 to 5 minutes.

You can also place them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) for 5 to 10 minutes until warmed and the top starts to crisp lightly.

Woman holding a muffin

Final thoughts

These Keto Pound Cake Muffins are made using only a few simple low-carb ingredients, including almond flour, erythritol, and cream cheese.

Personalize the recipe with your favorite low-carb flavor twists, such as zesty lemon poppy seeds or rich, sugar-free peanut butter.

FAQ

1. Are Keto-Friendly Pound Cake Muffins gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe uses gluten-free almond flour instead of traditional wheat flour.

2. What's the difference between a pound cake and a muffin?

Pound cake is typically made with equal parts flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, resulting in a dense dessert. Muffins usually have a higher flour-to-fat ratio, resulting in a crumbly and fluffier texture.

3. What makes a pound cake different from a regular cake?

The main difference between a pound cake and a regular cake is the ratio of ingredients. A traditional pound cake is crafted with equal measures of flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, while a regular cake may have different ratios depending on the recipe.

However, both bakes are high in carbs, making them unsuitable for a keto diet. In contrast, these Keto Pound Cake Muffins are made with low-carb ingredients to create a healthier but equally delicious treat.

4. Is erythritol safe?

Yes, erythritol is widely regarded as safe. This natural sweetener, found in some fruits and vegetables, stands out for its clean, sweet taste without the bitter aftertaste often associated with artificial sweeteners.

In addition, erythritol doesn’t carry the health concerns linked to some artificial sweeteners.

5. What is the best keto flour for baking?

Almond flour is a popular choice for keto baking as it's low in carbs and high in healthy fats. Other options include coconut flour, flaxseed meal, and sunflower seed meal.