How Many Carbs Are In Bavarian Cream? Decoding the Numbers

November 4, 2025 •

3 min read

With its rich, creamy texture and sweet flavor, Bavarian cream might seem like a straightforward dessert, but the carb content is far from uniform. In a Dunkin' Bavarian Kreme donut, for example, you can expect around 31 grams of total carbohydrate, a figure heavily influenced by the accompanying pastry. This demonstrates that understanding how many carbs are in Bavarian cream requires a careful look at how it's prepared and served.

Quick Summary

The carbohydrate content of Bavarian cream varies depending on its form—standalone, in a donut, or as a low-carb alternative. Key factors include added sugar, sweeteners, and the other components of the dish. The final carb count can range significantly between a simple, homemade cream and a store-bought, pastry-filled version.

Key Points

Significant Variation: The carb count in Bavarian cream changes drastically depending on whether it's standalone or part of a dessert like a donut.
Pastry is Key: When used as a donut filling, the surrounding dough is the primary source of carbohydrates and added sugars.
Sugar-Loaded: Traditional recipes use a significant amount of sugar, contributing to a high carb count in the cream itself.
Keto-Friendly Alternatives: Low-carb versions can be made using sugar substitutes and different thickeners, significantly reducing net carbs.
Check Commercial Labels: Store-bought fillings and pastries often contain additional ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, affecting the nutritional profile.
Customize at Home: Preparing Bavarian cream from scratch allows for complete control over ingredients, enabling low-carb adjustments.

The Core: What's in Traditional Bavarian Cream?

Bavarian cream, or crème bavaroise, is a classic dessert made from a delicate mixture of milk, eggs, and sugar, thickened with gelatin and lightened with whipped cream. The carbohydrate count in the purest form comes primarily from the added sugar and the lactose naturally present in the milk. Traditional recipes often call for a significant amount of white sugar, which can contribute to a moderate-to-high carb count even in a standalone serving.

Deconstructing a Classic Recipe

A typical homemade recipe for Bavarian cream includes ingredients that, when combined, can still create a relatively high-carb dessert. A recipe from Allrecipes, for instance, reports 17g of total carbohydrate and 16g of total sugars per serving. However, this is for the cream itself, and the final carb impact depends on the serving size and any additional components.

Context Matters: Bavarian Cream's Carb Count in Different Forms

The most significant factor influencing how many carbs are in Bavarian cream is its delivery vehicle. A spoonful of standalone cream is vastly different from the filling in a store-bought pastry, which is why nutritional labels can vary so widely.

Bavarian Cream Donuts

When Bavarian cream is used as a filling for a donut, the carbohydrate count skyrockets due to the yeast-raised dough, additional sugar, and icing. A Dunkin' Bavarian Kreme Donut contains 31g of total carbohydrate and 11g of sugars. A Dunford® Bakery Bavarian Creme Donut is even higher, with 57g of total carbohydrate and 29g of total sugars. The lesson here is clear: the bread component of the pastry is a major carb contributor.

Store-Bought Fillings

Commercially produced Bavarian cream fillings, often used in pastries, can contain different ingredients to improve shelf life and texture. A French Bavarian Creme Filling from 'Nuts To You' lists 13g of total carbohydrate per 100g, with 12g being sugars, and also contains high-fructose corn syrup, which can alter the glycemic impact. This shows that store-bought versions may have different nutritional profiles than homemade creams.

Comparison Table: Bavarian Cream Carb Counts


Product	Total Carbohydrate (per serving)	Total Sugars (per serving)	Additional Context	Source
Dunkin' Bavarian Kreme Donut	31g	11g	Includes donut and cream
Dunford® Bakery Bavarian Creme Donut	57g	29g	Includes donut and cream
Homemade Bavarian Cream	17g	16g	Recipe dependent, cream only
Keto Bavarian Cream	~1.8g net carbs*	Very low	Recipe dependent, sugar-free
Paczki, Bavarian Cream (Stan's Donuts)	24g	14g	Includes paczki and cream
French Bavarian Creme Filling	13g (per 100g)	12g	Filling only

*Note: Keto recipes use sweeteners and may report net carbs. The figure is an estimate based on a Keto Food Magic recipe and may vary.

Reducing the Carb Count: Going Keto and Low-Carb

For those on a ketogenic or low-carb diet, a traditional Bavarian cream is off-limits. However, with simple substitutions, it's possible to create a delicious, low-carb version. Key changes involve swapping out traditional sugar and sometimes using alternative dairy products.

Here are some strategies for a low-carb Bavarian cream:

Use sugar substitutes: Replace granulated sugar with erythritol, monk fruit, or another keto-friendly sweetener.
Embrace sugar-free pudding mix: Some recipes, like one found on Food.com, leverage sugar-free vanilla or white chocolate pudding mix combined with heavy whipping cream for a quick, low-carb version.
Create a keto custard base: A keto version of the custard can be made with a blend of cream, almond milk, egg yolks, and a suitable sweetener.
Incorporate different fats: Some recipes use alternative fats or nut milks, like coconut milk, to create a dairy-free and lower-carb version.

Conclusion: The Final Word on Bavarian Cream Carbs

The answer to how many carbs are in Bavarian cream is highly variable and depends entirely on the context. While the core ingredients of a traditional recipe contribute a moderate amount of carbohydrates, the final count is heavily influenced by the presence of a pastry like a donut or paczki, as well as the amount of sugar added. For those seeking a lower-carb option, homemade keto recipes offer a viable and delicious solution. Always check the specific nutritional information for commercial products, and be aware that a Bavarian cream donut is fundamentally different from a standalone cream dessert. Making it yourself gives you full control over the ingredients, particularly the type and amount of sweeteners, allowing you to tailor it to your dietary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

In a Bavarian cream donut, the vast majority of carbohydrates come from the yeast-raised dough and the outer icing or sugar coating, not just the cream filling itself.

Yes, low-carb and keto versions of Bavarian cream can be made by replacing traditional sugar with keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol or monk fruit, or by using sugar-free pudding mixes.

Homemade Bavarian cream gives you control over the ingredients, especially sugar, and is often lower in carbs than store-bought options that may contain high-fructose corn syrup and other additives.

Traditional Bavarian cream is not suitable for a keto diet due to its sugar content. However, specific keto recipes that use sugar substitutes and avoid high-carb ingredients are appropriate.

The carb count varies because the term can refer to the standalone cream or the full dessert, like a donut or pastry. The other components of the final dish dramatically increase the total carbohydrate count.

Bavarian cream is a lightened, chilled dessert made with custard (crème anglaise) and gelatin, and then folded with whipped cream. Pastry cream is a thicker, richer custard often used as a filling, and it is not typically lightened with whipped cream or set with gelatin.

The primary carb sources in traditional Bavarian cream are the added white sugar and the lactose from the milk. Flavored versions may also have additional carbs from fruits or chocolate.