Keto Strawberry Mascarpone Cake (no-bake)
No-bake cakes are perfect for summer - no oven, no heat in the kitchen. This keto version pairs a crunchy almond flour and butter crust with a creamy mascarpone-cream filling and fresh strawberries. Classic strawberry cakes with sponge, glaze and sugar land at around 35 g of carbs per slice, while this keto version stays at 4 g of net carbs. Just 20 minutes of prep, then 4 hours of chilling.
Key facts at a glance
- Preparation: approx. 20 minutes active + 4 hours chilling - makes 12 slices.
- Approx. 4 g net carbs and 27 g fat per slice.
- Ingredients: almond flour, butter, mascarpone, heavy cream, cream cheese, strawberries, erythritol, vanilla.
- Great as a summer dessert or with afternoon coffee - keeps for 2 days, not freezer-friendly (strawberries turn mushy).
Ingredients
The recipe makes 12 slices from a 22 cm springform pan. One serving is 1 slice (approx. 120 g); as a summer dessert after a main meal, half a slice is often enough.
| Amount | Ingredient | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almond flour (blanched) | for the crust | |||
| for the crust | ||||
| Butter (melted) | for the crust | |||
| for the crust | ||||
| Erythritol | for the crust | |||
| for the crust | ||||
| Salt | - | |||
| Mascarpone (room temperature) | - | |||
| Full-fat cream cheese (room temperature) | - | |||
| Erythritol (powdered) | for the filling | |||
| for the filling | ||||
| Vanilla extract | approx. 2 tsp | |||
| approx. 2 tsp | ||||
| Heavy cream (30 %) | - | |||
| Fresh strawberries | cut in halves | |||
| cut in halves | ||||
Preparation
Mix almond flour with melted butter and erythritol into a crust, press into a springform pan and chill. Beat mascarpone with cream cheese, erythritol and vanilla until smooth, whip the cream separately to stiff peaks and fold in. Spread the filling onto the crust, top with fresh strawberries and chill for 4 hours.
Why this cake fits keto
Strawberries are among the lowest-carb berries: approx. 5.5 g net carbs per 100 g (vs. blueberries at 12 g, bananas at 20 g). Spread across 12 slices, 250 g of strawberries deliver just 1.1 g of carbs per slice. Mascarpone, with 4 g carbs and 42 g fat per 100 g, is an ideal keto ingredient - creamier than cream cheese, with a higher fat ratio. The 50:50 blend with cream cheese keeps the texture firm enough to slice. Cream at 30 % fat, whipped to stiff peaks, makes the filling airy without sugar. The almond flour crust replaces classic sponge (50 g carbs/100 g) with just 5 g net carbs/100 g. Total: 4 g net carbs and 27 g fat per slice - a true no-bake summer cake for keto.
Source: USDA FoodData Central - Strawberries, raw , FDDB Nutrition Database
Strawberries - the number one keto berry
At just 5.5 g of net carbs per 100 g, strawberries are the lowest-carb common berry. A 100 g serving (about 8 medium strawberries) carries roughly the same carb load as half an apple. Strawberries also provide vitamin C, folate and manganese - nutrients that can run low on a strict low-carb diet. Fresh strawberries in season (May through July) have the best flavor; frozen ones work as a substitute but make a watery cake.
Mascarpone vs. cream cheese: why blend them?
Pure mascarpone (42 % fat) would be too heavy and rich for a cake. Pure cream cheese (34 % fat) would be tangier and less luxurious. The 50:50 blend combines the best of both: mascarpone delivers silky creaminess and the higher fat ratio (a keto plus), while cream cheese adds a light tang and structure. Use both at room temperature - cold mascarpone clumps faster. If you do not like cream cheese, 100 % mascarpone works too, just add 1 tbsp lemon juice for freshness.
How do I serve and vary the cake?
The cake needs to chill for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, so the filling sets properly. From experience: add the strawberries only about an hour before serving, otherwise they release juice and soften the filling. When slicing, dip a sharp knife in warm water for clean cuts. In summer, it pairs perfectly with a glass of berry-infused water.
Meal prep: storage and tips
Keeps in a covered container in the fridge for a maximum of 2 days - fresh strawberries soften after 24 hours. Do not freeze: strawberries turn mushy and mascarpone can curdle. Tip: crust and filling can be prepped up to 3 days ahead, add strawberries just before serving. For buffets, layer individual mini cakes in glasses - more durable and easier to portion.
Variations: raspberry, layered dessert, vanilla bean
Raspberry version: 200 g raspberries instead of strawberries - +0.5 g carbs (raspberries have 5 g carbs/100 g). Layered dessert: layer crust and filling in glasses, top with strawberries - elegant and easy. Vanilla bean version: the seeds of one vanilla pod instead of extract for a deeper aroma. Lime-strawberry: 1 tsp lime zest in the filling for a Mediterranean freshness. Chocolate crust version: add 20 g cocoa to the almond flour crust - even more festive.
What tips help with keto strawberry mascarpone cake?
- Take mascarpone and cream cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes before use - room temperature is essential, otherwise it clumps.
- Whip the cream cold - chill the bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Do not over-whip the cream - stop as soon as stiff peaks form, otherwise it turns grainy.
- Add the strawberries only just before serving - otherwise they release juice and soften the cake.
- When slicing, dip the knife in warm water and wipe between cuts for clean slices.
Nutrition values
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per slice (approx. 120 g) | Keto context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | approx. 290 kcal | approx. 345 kcal | High from mascarpone, cream and almond flour crust; a filling summer dessert. |
| High from mascarpone, cream and almond flour crust; a filling summer dessert. | |||
| Fat | approx. 23 g | approx. 27 g | Most fat from mascarpone, cream and butter - a typical keto profile. |
| Most fat from mascarpone, cream and butter - a typical keto profile. | |||
| Net carbs | approx. 3.5 g | approx. 4 g | Low thanks to a controlled amount of strawberries; almond flour and mascarpone are the main sources. |
| Low thanks to a controlled amount of strawberries; almond flour and mascarpone are the main sources. | |||
| Sugar | approx. 2.5 g | approx. 3 g | Natural sugar from strawberries and dairy; no added sugar. |
| Natural sugar from strawberries and dairy; no added sugar. | |||
| Protein | approx. 4 g | approx. 5 g | Low; mainly from mascarpone and almond flour. |
| Low; mainly from mascarpone and almond flour. | |||
| Salt | approx. 0.2 g | approx. 0.2 g | Low; from butter and cream cheese. |
| Low; from butter and cream cheese. | |||
Note: Nutrition values are estimated averages per 100 g and per serving and may vary depending on ingredients, brands, portion size, and preparation. They do not replace individual nutrition or medical advice.
FAQ
Can I make the cake with frozen strawberries?
Not ideal for the topping - thawed strawberries turn mushy and release a lot of juice. If fresh strawberries are out of season, you can halve frozen berries, thaw them with 1 tbsp erythritol and 1 tsp lemon juice, drain well and use as a compote-style topping - the texture works but the look is less impressive. During strawberry season (May to July), fresh berries are clearly the better choice.
Does the cake hold without gelatin?
Yes, as long as mascarpone and cream cheese are blended 50:50 and the cream is whipped to truly stiff peaks. 4 hours of chilling (overnight is better) is enough. For extra firmness: dissolve 2 tsp ground gelatin in 50 ml warm water and stir into the filling - the cake then slices as cleanly as a classic cream cake. For vegetarians: 1 tsp agar-agar works as a plant-based alternative.
Which berries are more keto-friendly than strawberries?
Strawberries (5.5 g carbs/100 g) and raspberries (5 g carbs/100 g) are the lowest. Blackberries sit at 6 g, blueberries at 12 g (clearly higher). For maximum keto compatibility: choose raspberries - slightly lower in carbs and just as aromatic. That said, strawberries slice better and look more impressive on a cake.
How many slices a day fit on a keto diet?
1 slice (4 g carbs) fits easily into any keto day with a 20-50 g daily limit. 2 slices (8 g carbs) are also workable, but 690 kcal equals a small meal. On strict keto under 20 g/day: 1 slice as dessert after a low-carb main course. The cake is very filling thanks to the high fat content - you rarely need more than one slice.