Enter Kind Desserts, a homegrown business offering halal baked goods that are sugar- and gluten-free, keto-friendly and low-carb!

“For the past three years my customers have been asking for mooncakes, and I finally decided to add it to the menu this year,” its founder, Izliza Zainol Abidin, told FMT.

For two weeks, the 44-year-old learnt how to make the popular seasonal treat, while looking for suitable alternatives to selected ingredients to ensure an overall low carbohydrate content.

For her desserts, she uses almond flour instead of wheat flour, and replaces white sugar with alternatives such as monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Other items such as frosting and chocolate also need to be sugar-free.

“This has been my most challenging endeavour, yet the most rewarding,” she said, adding that, although she has three full-time employees, she makes each mooncake personally.

Izliza’s journey with healthy desserts started in 2018, when high blood pressure and a hormonal imbalance required her to change her diet. She began making her own versions of desserts, and would bring them along on gatherings with family and friends.

“Many were surprised by how it tasted like regular desserts, and some even said it was more delicious,” she recalled.

She started Kind Desserts as an online business in 2019 and today, it boasts an extensive range of goodies such as cakes, cupcakes, brownies, crème caramel, doughnuts and buns, as well as spreads such as lemon curd and pandan kaya.

According to Izliza, 30% of her customer base are those on a ketogenic diet, where carbohydrates are kept to a minimum, with moderate servings of protein and high amounts of healthy fats.

The remaining 70% includes diabetic patients and those who want to enjoy desserts while cutting down on the amount of sugar they consume.

So, how does she feel as a Malay baker who has successfully developed mooncakes that are not only healthy but halal? “I am over the moon!” she replied with a laugh.

Tasting notes

The mooncakes come in a set of three flavours: Keto Shanghai, Macadamia Brownies, and Pandan Almond Caramel.

Unlike the traditional mooncake, the Keto Shanghai is smaller with a pleasing round shape. Upon the first bite, the absence of sugar may taste rather strange for the unaccustomed; but there is a generous filling of black-bean paste, while the salted duck egg yolk it envelops adds a distinctively rich taste.

The mooncake only has 4.1g of net carbs, which refers to total carbohydrates minus fibre and sugar alcohols (xylitol, erythritol and other such sweeteners).

Meanwhile, the Keto Macadamia Brownies, with 2.9g of net carbs, is a unique alternative to conventional mooncakes. The pairing of rich chocolate and macadamia nuts is one that works well.

Rounding up the trio is the Keto Pandan Almond Caramel mooncake. With only 3.6g of net carbs, it comes with an outer layer of pastry that has delicious hints of pandan – a lovely complement to the caramel and almond filling.

The mooncakes are packaged in a lovely red box, making them an ideal gift for friends or family. Each box is priced at RM45.

If you’re looking to treat yourself further, Kind Desserts is also offering low-carb donuts, available this month only. They come six to a box and are priced at RM55, with three different glazes: vanilla, lemon, and chocolate.

These round delights have a soft, delicate texture with a light and subtle flavour reminiscent of traditional Sarawakian or Indonesian spiced layer cakes. Similarly sugar- and gluten-free, and containing just 1.8g of net carbs per piece, they are indeed a luxurious, guilt-free snack.

For cupcake lovers, Kind Desserts’ range is another delicious indulgence! The strawberry cupcake has a dense but melt-in-your-mouth texture that is nicely complemented by the tart strawberry cream-cheese frosting. The zesty dessert is perfect for dessert or afternoon tea.

Other flavours include chocolate, pandan, and red velvet, and each cupcake has 2.5g of net carbs. A box of six or 12 is priced at RM55 and RM110, respectively.

Get your guilt-free sweet fix by clicking here or by visiting Kind Desserts’ Instagram profile. The last day for mooncake orders is Saturday.