Recently, when my younger son graduated from high school I made this Low-Carb Strawberry Shortcake. Our family came in to celebrate and went crazy for it. No one knew it was a healthy, grain-free, low-carb dessert. Everyone on Instagram asked for my recipe so I thought I’d share it with you here!
I’ve found that most strawberry shortcake recipes are quite complicated. However, my version of this summertime classic dessert is a cinch to throw together. The low-carb vanilla cake that I use is a one-pot recipe made with 6 ingredients total. While the cake cools you have time to make my 2-ingredient Low-Carb Whipped Cream. After that, you simply assemble it and add strawberries.
My low-carb, coconut flour Strawberry Shortcake recipe is comprised of nut-free cake that’s lightly sweetened with maple syrup. I smother this rich spongey cake in my purely low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) topping. My unsweetened Homemade Whipped Cream, perfumed with vanilla is simply divine on this low-carb dessert.
I recently wrote a post called, “Am I Allergic to Almond and Coconut Flour?“. In it, I discuss carbohydrate intolerance. I believe this condition originated because carbohydrates were not regularly and abundantly available to humans prior to modern times. Royalty and the wealthy had greater access to sugar and carbohydrates, however, most of our ancestors would not have had access to sweets and starches, or any foods at all, in great abundance. Since I have carb intolerance I do much better on a low-carb Ketogenic Diet. On occasion, I like to celebrate with a low-carb dessert like this.
Unfortunately, I also don’t do well with most low-carb or zero-carb sweeteners. Many of us with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), cannot digest typical low-carb sweeteners like erythritol. That’s why I stick to using small amounts of natural sweeteners in my recipes. I also use pure stevia which is easy for me to digest.
What’s your favorite sweetener? Do you use moderate amounts of honey or maple syrup, or does your system tolerate carbohydrates fairly well? Can you digest calorie-free sugar alcohols like erythritol and xylitol? Leave a comment and let me know!
Comments
37 responses to “Low-Carb Strawberry Shortcake”
This is fabulous! We are already big fans of your vanilla birthday cake and this was perfect. I made a few small changes that worked out great. I baked the cake batter all in one 7 1/2 inch spring form pan and then sliced it horizontally. The cooking time was a bit longer and it worked out great. One of these days I’ll buy the 6 inch pans that you love! In between the layers I put a quick strawberry sauce which I made by placing strawberries, a bit of vanilla and a few tablespoons of maple syrup in a covered saucepan and simmering for about 15 min. I pureed that with the immersion blender and cooled it before putting it between the layers and over the top of the cake. I chilled it overnight like that then served it with the sliced strawberries and whip cream on the side the next day. By the way, I always whip cream in the standing mixer and it’s absolutely fine! Thanks for all of your amazing recipes!!!!!
Elisha, that sounds amazing! So glad you are enjoying this cake :-)
Hi Elana,
I’m making this delish looking cake one day in advanced for my little guy’s bday tomorrow. I don’t plan to assemble it until tomorrow, but what is the best way to store the cake part over night?
Thank you!! We are so excited to try it!
Katie, happy birthday to your little guy! This is such a wonderfully healthy cake to make and he is so lucky to have you. When I’m using this cake the next day I cool it for several hours, then release from the pan and store in foil in the fridge overnight.
Hi Elana, your site looks amazing and love it. I live in South Africa and Almond flour is very expensive. Is there any alternative I could use for recipes, especially your muesli scones and anything muesli? I do have sunflower seed flour. I know coconut flour cannot be replace almond flour. Thanks.
Annette, thanks for your comment! I haven’t tried that so not sure :-)
Elena, I have been following you for several years dabbling in and out, trying keto and now I am back with yours. I don’t have any allergies against any foods but just want to eat healthy. I have a-fib and emphysema so I am hoping diet will help. At the moment, I am low salt, no sugar and no grains. I use Stevia which has an after taste if you use to much. I cannot use xylitol . I can use honey and maple syrup with good results.
I have tried a few of your recipes but am still trying to get my mind to accept as ok eating different textures. Anyway kid (I am 70, so you’re a kid to me, lol) you are doing a great job and I want to thank you for your talents. Blessings always
Ann, what a sweet comment! You can call me kid anytime. I hope you’ll continue to keep me posted on your healing journey :-)
Could you use any fruit?
Lauren, feel free to experiment!
Elana, I made your paleo vanilla birthday cake for my husband birthday last week, we absolutely loved it!!! I actually used a 9″ pan (didn’t have a smaller one) to bake the cake, cut the cake into 4 layers, frosted each layer with your cream cheese frosting and fresh raspberries! The raspberries helped to give height to the cake and allowed me to add more frosting overall. To my surprise the cake came together in 2 hours (of course I didn’t allow the cake to cool completely), so convenient for a work day… thank you for managing to keep your ingredient list nice and short!
Inna, I’m so happy to hear this cake was a hit for your hubby’s birthday! And I work very hard to keep my ingredient lists short –thanks for noticing that :-)
Elana, I have been paleo for about 15 years, so I’ve tried many alternative sweeteners. In the earlier days I didn’t even eat fresh fruit! I now chiefly use modest amounts of honey and maple syrup. I like stevia – both fresh from the garden and liquid. Xylitol is OK for when I don’t want to add more liquid to a recipe, but I’m not in love with it.
Just based on my glowing reviews of your recipes as I emerge from the kitchen, my husband tells everyone who will listen, about your website. The man never met a stranger, so they are people of all ages and descriptions who just want to get healthy. I recovered from fibromyalgia so empathize strongly with your journey. Thank you for making your fine work available to those who need it.
Leslie, this is one of my favorite comments of ALL TIME! I love that you and your husband are on this healing journey of health food with me! I hope we can stay in touch here :-)
Hi Elana,
This looks amazing. Is there a recipe for SCD?
Sandi, I will add that to my list of requests. In the meantime, here is a link to all of my SCD recipes:
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/specific-carbohydrate-diet/
Enjoy!
Elana
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