I took Gordon Ramsay’s tiramisu method—the one that finally made me not screw it up—and gave it a full keto makeover.
His structure-first approach (no soggy sponge, no runny cream) still anchors this version. But I swapped the sugar, flour, and liqueur traps for keto-friendly alternatives that don’t mess with the flavor or texture.
Here’s the keto remix of a Ramsay classic—with all the whip, dip, and chill, minus the carbs.
💡 Why This One Works So Well
Here’s what makes this a real keto dessert, not just a wannabe:
- Homemade keto sponge base replaces ladyfingers but holds up just as well with the espresso soak.
- Allulose or powdered erythritol keeps the cream sweet without a weird aftertaste or graininess.
- Room-temp mascarpone means no lumps and a perfectly smooth fold.
- Espresso + coffee liqueur (or extract) bring that real tiramisu bite—no flat flavor here.
🧾 What I Used (And Why It Worked)
- Heavy whipping cream (355ml / ~1.5 cups) – 0-1g net carbs per 2 tbsp; gives the whip structure.
- Mascarpone (225g / ~8 oz) – About 1-2g net carbs per 2 tbsp; essential for that rich tang.
- Allulose or powdered erythritol (65g / 1/3 cup) – Won’t spike blood sugar and dissolves clean.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp) – Balances the coffee and cocoa bitterness.
- Strong cold espresso (355ml / 1.5 cups) – Zero-carb caffeine hit.
- Coffee liqueur substitute – Use a few drops of coffee extract + 1 tbsp vodka (optional) for depth.
- Keto sponge fingers – See below.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (for dusting) – Just a light touch; adds depth with minimal carbs.
🔁 Keto Swaps That Actually Work
✅ Keto Ladyfingers (Mini Sponge Hack)
Whisk 3 eggs, 2 tbsp almond flour, 1 tbsp coconut flour, 1 tbsp allulose, and 1/4 tsp baking powder. Spread on a parchment-lined sheet, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 min until firm and lightly golden. Cut into fingers once cooled.
Or, if you’re in a rush? Use thin slices of keto vanilla mug cake or store-bought keto bread like Sola, toasted and trimmed.
⚠️ Keto Missteps and How I Fixed Them
| What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Soggy cake layer | Too long in espresso | Dip quickly—1 sec per side, max. |
| Gritty cream | Granular sweetener | Use powdered or allulose only. |
| Lumpy mascarpone | Used straight from fridge | Let it hit room temp first. |
| Too flat flavor | Weak coffee | Brew espresso or use coffee concentrate. |
👩🍳 Step-By-Step: How to Make Keto Tiramisu
- Whip It
Beat cold heavy cream, sweetener, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. - Fold It
Gently fold in room-temp mascarpone with a spatula. No mixer here—just patience. - Mix the Coffee
Stir cold espresso with your coffee extract + optional vodka for liqueur vibes. - Dip Fast
Dip keto sponge fingers lightning-quick into the coffee mix. Lay in a single layer in your dish. - Layer It Up
Spread half the cream mixture over your dipped base. Repeat the dipping/layering. Finish with cream on top. - Dust + Chill
Sift cocoa powder over the top. Cover and chill at least 4 hours (overnight is better).

🧠 Tricks That Made This Work Better
- I freeze slices to eat like tiramisu ice cream bars. Game changer.
- I pre-bake the sponge and freeze extras in slabs.
- Let the cream sit 5 minutes after whipping—less chance of separation when folding.
🧊 How I Store and Track It
- Fridge: Airtight up to 4 days. Gets even better after day 2.
- Freezer: Freeze single portions; eat semi-frozen or fully thawed.
- Tracking tip: I portion into 6 equal servings—about 4–5g net carbs each, depending on the base.
❓ Can I Eat This on Keto? (Yes, Here’s Why)
- Net carbs per serving: ~4–5g
(Assumes allulose, almond/coconut flour base, and unsweetened espresso) - Sweetener = non-glycemic
- No refined flour
- All fat, flavor, and creamy texture—no spike
📊 Nutritional Facts (per serving, ~1/6 recipe)
| Nutrient | Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~430 kcal |
| Total Fat | ~46 g |
| – Saturated Fat | ~14–16 g |
| Cholesterol | ~220 mg |
| Sodium | ~60 mg |
| Potassium | ~40 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | ~3.5 g |
| – Dietary Fiber | ~0.5 g |
| – Sugars | ~1 g |
| – Net Carbs | ~3 g |
| Protein | ~8 g |
Check out More Recipes:
- Gordon Ramsay Spaghetti Sauce – Low-Carb, Keto-Friendly
- Gordon Ramsay Caramelized Onion Dip – Low-Carb, Keto-Friendly
- Gordon Ramsay Mince and Cauli-Mash – Keto Comfort Food Done Right
Gordon Ramsay Keto Tiramisu Recipe
Description
A low-carb twist on Gordon Ramsay’s classic tiramisu—this keto version keeps all the creamy layers, bold espresso flavor, and cocoa finish, without the sugar or carbs. A true no-guilt indulgence that actually fits your macros.
Ingredients
Cream Layer
Coffee Soak
Keto Sponge Base
Topping
Instructions
- Make the Sponge Base
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Whisk eggs, almond flour, coconut flour, allulose, and baking powder. Spread onto a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden. Cool and slice into ladyfinger-style strips. - Whip the Cream
In a bowl, beat heavy cream with sweetener and vanilla until stiff peaks form. - Fold in Mascarpone
Using a spatula, gently fold in room-temp mascarpone until smooth. Do not overmix. - Prepare the Coffee Soak
Mix cooled espresso with coffee extract and vodka (if using). - Dip the Sponge
Quickly dip each sponge strip—1 second per side—in the coffee mixture. Arrange a single layer in an 8×8” dish. - Layer It Up
Spread half the cream mixture over the sponge layer. Add another layer of dipped sponge. Finish with the remaining cream. - Dust & Chill
Dust the top with cocoa powder. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight for best texture.
Notes
- Let mascarpone come fully to room temp—cold cheese causes lumps when folding.
Don’t soak the sponge base too long—just a fast dip to avoid a soggy layer.
Chill at least 4 hours, but overnight gives the best texture and flavor fusion.
Swap vodka + coffee extract for Kahlua if you’re low-carb but not strictly keto.
Each serving has ~430 kcal, 46g fat, 8g protein, and ~3g net carbs (depending on brands used).
