| Prep Time: | 25 minutes | Chill Time: | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Total Time: | 1 hour 40 minutes | Yield: | 20 truffles |
| Intensity: | Easy – No baking required, simple techniques. Perfect for beginners. |
Escape the sugar crash without sacrificing decadence with these bright, creamy, and utterly delightful Keto Lemon Truffles. With a velvety, citrus-infused center enrobed in a crisp, dark chocolate shell, each bite is a perfect balance of tart and sweet. This recipe is not only gluten-free and sugar-free but also incredibly simple to make, requiring just a handful of wholesome ingredients and no oven time. They’re the perfect elegant treat for a sunny afternoon, a festive gathering, or whenever you need a little burst of joyful flavor while staying true to your wellness goals.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Truffle Filling:
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1 ½ cups (150g) super-fine almond flour
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⅓ cup (80ml) fresh lemon juice (approx. 2 large lemons)
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2 tsp lemon zest
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½ cup (115g) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
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⅓ cup (80ml) powdered erythritol (or your preferred keto-friendly powdered sweetener)
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2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract
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A tiny pinch of sea salt
For the Chocolate Coating:
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4 oz (115g) sugar-free dark chocolate (at least 85% cocoa), chopped
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1 tbsp coconut oil
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Optional for garnish: A little extra lemon zest or a sprinkle of crushed nuts
Equipment:
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Medium mixing bowl
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Electric hand mixer or sturdy whisk
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Baking sheet
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Parchment paper
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Small microwave-safe bowl or double boiler
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Toothpicks or dipping fork
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Lemon Filling
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In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered erythritol, vanilla extract, and a tiny pinch of salt. Using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, beat for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth, creamy, and well-combined.
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Add the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Beat again on low, then medium speed until fully incorporated. The mixture will be quite liquid at this stage—this is normal.
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Gradually add the super-fine almond flour, mixing on low speed until a thick, cohesive dough forms. It should resemble a soft, slightly sticky cookie dough. If it seems too wet, you can add an extra tablespoon of almond flour.
Step 2: Chill & Shape the Truffles
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Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This is a crucial step, as it allows the almond flour to fully absorb the moisture and firms up the dough, making it easy to roll.
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Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper. Using a small cookie scoop or a teaspoon, portion the dough. Roll each portion between your clean, slightly damp palms to form smooth, round balls (about 1-inch in diameter). Place them on the prepared sheet.
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Once all truffles are rolled, place the entire sheet back into the freezer for 15-20 minutes. This final chill ensures they stay perfectly round when dipped in the warm chocolate.
Step 3: Create the Chocolate Shell
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While the truffles chill, prepare the chocolate coating. Combine the chopped sugar-free chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
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Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and silky smooth (this usually takes 60-90 seconds total). Alternatively, you can melt it over a double boiler.
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Let the melted chocolate sit for 2-3 minutes to cool slightly.
Step 4: Coat & Set
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Remove the truffle centers from the freezer. Working quickly, pierce a chilled truffle with a toothpick or dipping fork and submerge it into the melted chocolate, swirling to coat completely.
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Lift it out, allow any excess chocolate to drip off, and gently slide it onto the parchment-lined sheet. If using a toothpick, use a second toothpick to gently push the truffle off onto the sheet.
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Optionally, immediately garnish with a tiny bit of lemon zest or crushed nuts before the chocolate sets.
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Repeat with all truffle centers. If the chocolate begins to thicken, you can gently re-warm it for 5-10 seconds.
Step 5: The Final Set
Allow the chocolate-coated truffles to set completely at room temperature (about 10-15 minutes). For a firmer shell, you can transfer them to the refrigerator for a final 10 minutes of chilling.
Serving & Storing
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Serving: Serve these truffles slightly chilled for the best texture and flavor. They pair beautifully with a cup of herbal tea or black coffee.
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Storing: Store Keto Lemon Truffles in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Chef’s Notes & Tips:
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Sweetener Swap: Monk fruit or allulose-based powdered sweeteners work wonderfully here. The powdered form is essential to avoid a gritty texture.
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Citrus Boost: For an extra “zing,” add 1-2 drops of food-grade lemon essential oil to the filling.
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Chocolate Choice: Using a high-quality, sugar-free dark chocolate bar (chopped) will yield a far superior taste and texture than sugar-free chocolate chips, which often contain extra starches.
Nutrition Information (Per Truffle, approx. 1-inch ball)
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Calories: 85 kcal
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Total Fat: 7.8g
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Saturated Fat: 3g
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Total Carbohydrates: 3.5g
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Dietary Fiber: 1.2g
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Net Carbs: 2.3g
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Protein: 2.1g
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Sugar Alcohols (Erythritol): 2g