Keto Pecan Square Recipe
These Keto Pecan Squares are a delicious low-carb dessert featuring a rich almond flour and cocoa crust topped with a sweetened pecan layer. Perfect for those following a ketogenic lifestyle, they combine crunchy pecans with a fudgy base, all made without sugar but full of flavor.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes plus 30 minutes cooling and optional chilling time
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Crust Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup granulated erythritol or preferred keto sweetener
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups pecans, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup sugar-free maple syrup or keto-friendly syrup
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the squares after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, erythritol, and salt. Stir thoroughly to break up any lumps and achieve an even mixture.
- Add Wet Ingredients to Dry: Pour in the melted butter, crack in the egg, and add vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until a consistent dough forms without any streaks of dry flour.
- Form Crust Base: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan using the back of a spatula or your hands, creating a uniform crust layer.
- Bake the Crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust turns lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow it to cool slightly to set.
- Prepare Pecan Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the roughly chopped pecans with the sugar-free maple syrup, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to ensure all pecans are coated evenly.
- Assemble the Squares: Pour the pecan mixture over the slightly cooled crust, spreading it out evenly across the surface.
- Bake with Topping: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the pecans are lightly toasted and the topping has set firmly.
- Cool Before Cutting: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This helps the squares to stabilize and makes cutting easier.
- Chill and Serve: For best results, refrigerate the squares to further firm up the texture before slicing into squares. Enjoy your delicious keto pecan squares!
Notes
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
- Make sure to cool the crust slightly before adding the topping to prevent mixing layers.
- Chilling the squares after baking helps them hold their shape and enhances the texture.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts if preferred, maintaining the keto-friendly nature of the recipe.
- Ensure the sweeteners and syrups used are keto-friendly and sugar-free to keep this dessert low in carbs.
Keywords: keto pecan squares, keto dessert, low-carb dessert, sugar-free pecan bars, almond flour dessert, keto baking