Indulge in these rich, sugar-free keto caramel thumbprint cookies that seamlessly blend gluten-free, low-carb, and almond flour-free goodness, requiring only eight effortless ingredients and boasting a mere one gram of net carbs.
Keto Thumbprint Cookies with Caramel
On a lazy Sunday afternoon, I whipped up a fresh batch of keto cookies and allowed them to solidify on the stovetop before capturing their golden-brown beauty for the camera. While my husband was at home tending to the yard, I had the pleasure of attending a baby shower. Later, I received a text message from him. I’ve always thought those cookies were absolutely scrumptious!
“Don’t eat anymore!” I’ve already taken care of the blog post’s photo requirements, so no further action is needed on this front. The fact that my husband, despite being less than enthusiastic about my sugar-free creations, has given me a nod of approval is a sweet victory indeed!
Carbs in Traditional Thumbprint Cookies
According to Cronometer’s data, a single Market Basket thumbprint cookie contains 110 calories and a substantial 15 grams of carbohydrates. What a letdown, considering all the hype surrounding this supposedly indulgent treat! An astonishing 12 calories per cookie? That’s an exorbitant expense for the low-carb lifestyle!
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While store-bought cookies, even those marketed as keto or sugar-free, may appear to be a convenient option, they often contain a multitude of ingredients designed to extend their shelf life, including inflammatory oils and artificial preservatives that can have detrimental effects on one’s health. Indulge in a low-carb delight the next time sweet cravings strike – whip up a keto-friendly cookie alternative that’s just as satisfying!
Net Carbs in Our Keto Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
(Note: I rewrote the title to make it more descriptive and concise, and also capitalized the first letter of each word for better readability.)
Indulge in the delicious taste of our sugar-free Thumbprint Keto Cookies, boasting a remarkably low 3g of total carbohydrates, making them an ideal treat for those adhering to a ketogenic lifestyle. With only 2g of dietary fiber, these cookies boast an astonishingly low 1g of net carbs per cookie, even with the indulgent caramel filling at their centre.
Keto Nut Flours
If you’re out of sunflower seed flour, consider substituting with almond flour as a suitable alternative. While attempting to minimize oxalate intake, opting for sunflower seeds over almonds can result in a reduced oxalate content when preparing thumbprint cookies made with almond flour.
Given my youngest son’s tree nut and peanut allergy, I take care to exclude these ingredients from all recipes I develop for our household. Using sunflower seed meal is a great option due to its versatility; I find that substituting it for almond flour in recipes yields a consistent texture, making it an excellent choice.
Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to discover sunflower seed flour in regular markets, as it’s a rare and specialty product. I purchase it on Amazon.
Unable to locate alternative ingredients online? Consider substituting with raw, unsalted sunflower seeds; simply grind them in a food processor to achieve the desired consistency. Beware of overprocessing – it’s a slippery slope that could result in sunflower seed butter instead.
While it’s tempting to substitute coconut flour one-for-one with other flours, it’s crucial not to make this substitution due to significant differences in their textures and binding properties. For a successful substitution, you’ll typically require a ratio of ¼ cup coconut flour to every 1 cup almond or sunflower flour used in the recipe.
While coconut flour is a crucial component in this keto thumbprint cookie recipe, I strongly advise against omitting it, as it lends structure and prevents the cookies from becoming excessively crumbly like traditional gluten-free baked goods.
Low Carb Sweetener Swaps
You’re free to select your preferred sweetener, and I’ve discovered that the Monk Fruit Allulose blend stands out for its absence of unpleasant aftertaste.
While I’m accustomed to relying on stevia as my go-to keto sweetener, my husband swears that the combination of monk fruit and allulose yields a superior flavor profile compared to traditional alternatives like stevia or erythritol.
Here’s my Natural Sweetener Guide & Conversion chart if you’d like to swap with other keto sweeteners.
More Sugar Free Thumbprint Cookies
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Sugar-Free Jam & Dark Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
Keto Christmas Cookies
A sweet treat for the holiday season on your festive cookie tray. Who would ever suspect that these indulgent treats are actually a sugar-free keto delight?
Cream Cheese Cookies
Keto Pecan Snowballs
Keto Chocolate Snowball Cookies
Keto Peppermint Bark
Sugar Free Sugar Cookies
Keto Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
Keto Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
You could substitute the caramel sauce with a fruit chutney or a sweet and tangy glaze made from ingredients like honey, soy sauce, or citrus juice to add depth and complexity to the dish. Alternatively, you could use a creamy element like sour cream or Greek yogurt to balance out the flavors.
If you’re short on time or prefer not to prepare my sugar-free caramel sauce from scratch, which requires just 10 minutes of your time, consider substituting it with a store-bought alternative that meets your dietary requirements.
Try dipping sugar-free keto caramel candies in melted chocolate for a unique twist on classic thumbprint cookies.
Sugar-Free Low-Carb Keto Caramel Delightful Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
Caramel Sauce
Optional Chocolate Drizzle
Instructions
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Combining the sunflower seed flour, coconut flour, xanthan gum, and salt in a stand mixer or large, sturdy bowl. Mix to combine dry ingredients.
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Softened butter, sweetener, and a hint of caramel extract are blended seamlessly into the dry mixture, creating a harmonious union of flavors. Adjust the sweetness to your liking, adding a sweetener if necessary.
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Combine the egg with the mixture, ensuring a smooth integration of ingredients.
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Store the cookie dough in the refrigerator for a period of thirty minutes to allow it to chill and firm up.
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Prepare a batch of sugar-free caramel sauce and reserve it.
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Preheat the oven to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Shape the dough into twenty uniform spheres, approximately one heaping tablespoon in size, and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet pan for even cooking.
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Gently press a rounded teaspoon into the centre of each cookie to create a subtle indentation, or alternatively, employ your thumb to fashion a slight dimple in the middle of each treat. Let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to meld together harmoniously.
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Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and still slightly pale in the center. If frozen, they’ll require around 15 minutes of baking time when thawed and reheated. Don’t disturb the cookies on the sheet pan, as they’ll be extremely delicate; permit them to cool for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes. After the cookies emerge from the oven and have naturally spread, employ a gentle touch to recreate the indentation in their centers.
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Position a measured teaspoon of rich caramel sauce at the heart of each cookie, then refrigerate for 30 minutes or permit it to set naturally on the countertop. (**Quick tip! If your caramel sauce starts to separate while waiting for the cookies to bake, no need to worry! Just reheat it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, then give it a good stir. The consistency should return quickly, ready to drizzle over those fresh-baked treats.
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Should you choose to incorporate a drizzle, combine the melted chocolate chips with the butter. To ensure a smooth consistency, stir the mixture thoroughly to eliminate any lumps, then seal it in an airtight ziplock bag for storage. Dainty corners trimmed, a delicate drizzle of sweetness cascades across each cookie. Store the contents at room temperature on a countertop for up to three days or keep them refrigerated for the same duration. Alternatively, you can freeze this mixture in an airtight container for up to three months.
Recipe Notes
One cookie with caramel sauce, without a chocolate drizzle, contains approximately one gram of net carbohydrates.
Nutrition Facts
Indulge in the rich flavor of Sugar-Free Low-Carb Keto Caramel Thumbprint Cookies, crafted with wholesome ingredients and a hint of indulgence.
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
Based on a 2,000 calorie diet?