The smoke detector went off again last Tuesday, right as I was pulling these Keto Cheesecake Bars Almond out of the oven. My husband, bless his heart, was in the middle of a very important football game. He burst into the kitchen, a dish towel flapping behind him like a cape.
“Celeste, not again!” he yelled, waving the towel at the beeping menace. I just rolled my eyes. It is not my fault if a little bit of oven smoke escapes when I am checking on things. If you have been following my site, you know I love experimenting with sweets, much like when I perfected my sugar-free chocolate chip cookies.
He thinks I am trying to burn the house down with my experiments. But really, I was just trying to get that perfect barely-browned crust. Sometimes you have to push the limits to get the best result, a philosophy I picked up while studying this inspiring original recipe during my recipe development process.
Why You’ll Love These Keto Almond Joy Cheesecake Bars
Look, I get it. You hear keto and you think cardboard, right? Or something that tastes vaguely like sadness. But these bars are different. They hit that spot when you want something sweet, but you are not trying to undo all your hard work.
They are not too sweet, which is my biggest pet peeve with a lot of so-called healthy desserts. You get that rich chocolate, the coconut, and the crunch of almonds. It is all there without making your teeth hurt.
Plus, they are no-bake. That is a win in my book, especially when it is hot out and the last thing you want is to turn on the oven. These come together pretty quick, and then it is just a waiting game for the freezer to do its job.
Ingredients for Keto Cheesecake Bars Almond Joy
Getting the right stuff is half the battle for these low carb treats. Don’t skimp on quality, especially when you are dealing with limited ingredients. Every bit counts. This is about real food, not cheap fillers.
Keto Cheesecake Bars Almond – Dry Ingredients
1 1/4 cup almond flour: This is your base for the crust. Make sure it is superfine, not almond meal. The meal gives you a gritty texture, and we are not going for that here.
1/4 cup cocoa powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder. None of that Dutch-processed stuff unless you know what you are doing with the acidity.
1/4 cup Swerve Confectioners: This is my go-to for powdered sweetener. It dissolves well and does not have that weird aftertaste some others do.
1/4 tsp salt: Just a pinch. It balances out the sweetness and brings out the chocolate flavor.
Keto Cheesecake Bars Almond – Wet Ingredients
12 ounces cream cheese: This is the heart of your low carb bars. Let it sit out on the counter until it is very soft to avoid any lumps in your filling.
2/3 cup coconut cream: This is the thick part from a can of full-fat coconut milk. Chill the can overnight, then scoop out the thick cream on top.
How to Make No-Bake Keto Cheesecake Bars
This isn’t rocket science, but there are a few things that will make your life easier. Pay attention to the details, especially the chilling times. That is where most people mess up with these no-bake desserts.
First, grease a 9×9-inch pan. I usually use a bit of coconut oil or some non-stick spray. A well-greased pan means your bars won’t stick, which is a real pain when you are trying to get them out in one piece.
For the crust, mix the almond flour, cocoa, sweetener, and salt. Add the melted coconut oil and press firmly into the pan. Chill this in the freezer while you prepare the filling. The filling is made by beating the softened cream cheese with the sweetener, extracts, coconut cream, and heavy whipping cream until smooth and dreamy.
Tips for Perfect Keto Almond Joy Cheesecake Bars
One thing people often overlook is the temperature of their ingredients. Cream cheese needs to be soft, so let it sit out for a couple of hours. Also, for a complete meal experience, pair these bars with a refreshing healthy salad recipe if you are having guests over.
Don’t rush the chilling times. Seriously. This isn’t a bake, it is a freeze. If you try to cut them before they are fully firm, you will have a crumbly, gooey mess. Patience is a virtue here.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
Once cut, these bars are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for about 5-7 days. If you want to make a big batch, these bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
When discussing the base ingredients, it is helpful to understand why almond flour is preferred. Reading about better flour alternatives can give you more confidence in your keto baking journey, as it helps keep your blood sugar stable.
I hope you enjoy these bars as much as my family does. Just maybe don’t set off the fire alarm while making them! – Celeste
Keto Almond Joy Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, sweetener, and salt. Stir in the coconut oil until the mixture begins to clump together.
- Transfer to the baking pan and press firmly and evenly into the bottom. Place in the freezer while preparing the filling.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with the sweetener until well combined. Beat in the coconut and vanilla extract.
- Add the coconut cream and beat in on low until well combined. If the coconut cream is really firm when you take it out of the can, gently soften in the microwave before adding to the cream cheese mixture.
- Spread the filling evenly over the crust and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream to just a simmer. Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate. Let sit a few minutes to melt.
- Whisk in the powdered sweetener until smooth, then pour about two-thirds of the topping over the chilled bars and spread to the edges. Immediately sprinkle with the coconut and almonds.
- Drizzle the remaining chocolate over top to help secure the coconut and almonds, then freeze for another hour to set.
- Cut into 16 bars and press a chocolate covered almond into the top of each square, if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these keto cheesecake bars truly no-bake?
Yes, these Keto Almond Joy Cheesecake Bars are completely no-bake, making them a simple and quick dessert to prepare without turning on your oven.
What makes these cheesecake bars taste like Almond Joy?
The combination of coconut cream, coconut extract, shredded coconut, chocolate, and sliced almonds gives these keto cheesecake bars their distinct Almond Joy flavor.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! These no-bake Keto Cheesecake Bars Almond Joy can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making them perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
Are there any substitutions for Swerve Confectioners?
While Swerve Confectioners is recommended for its taste and texture, you can use other keto-friendly powdered sweeteners like erythritol or monk fruit blend as a substitute.
