Light & Fluffy Low-Calorie Cake
This easy low-calorie vanilla cake is soft, moist, and lightly sweet without relying on lots of butter or oil. It’s great when you want a simple dessert that feels indulgent but is lighter than a traditional cake.Yield: 8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 25–30 minutes
Total time: About 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60 g) plain Greek yogurt, low-fat
- ¼ cup (60 ml) skim or low-fat milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Optional light topping
- ½ cup fresh strawberries or blueberries
- ½ cup low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1–2 tsp honey or powdered sweetener
Instructions
1. Prepare the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly spray an 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Combine the dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cinnamon, if using
Set aside.
3. Mix the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar for about 1–2 minutes, until slightly lighter and well combined.
Add the applesauce, Greek yogurt, milk, vanilla, and lemon juice.
Whisk until smooth.
4. Combine the batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
Use a spatula or whisk to mix until just combined.
Don’t overmix. A few tiny lumps are perfectly fine.
The batter should be smooth and fairly light.
5. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
Spread it evenly.
Bake for approximately 25–30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
Then remove it from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack.
Allow it to cool completely before adding toppings.
🍓 Light Topping
For a simple low-calorie topping, mix the Greek yogurt with honey or a powdered sweetener.
Spread a thin layer over the cooled cake.
Top with fresh strawberries or blueberries.
You can also skip the topping entirely and dust the cake lightly with powdered sugar.
⭐ Tips for Keeping It Light
- Don’t add extra oil—the applesauce and yogurt provide moisture.
- Use low-fat Greek yogurt for extra protein and a creamy texture.
- Fresh berries add sweetness without needing a heavy frosting.
- Cut the cake into 8 portions for easier calorie control.
- For a sweeter cake without much additional energy, use a suitable zero-calorie sweetener in place of some or all of the sugar.
Approximate calories
Depending on the exact ingredients and toppings, the plain cake is roughly 120–150 calories per serving when divided into 8 pieces. The exact amount will vary by brands and substitutions.
For an even lighter version, you can replace half the sugar with a granulated zero-calorie sweetener and serve it with fresh berries instead of frosting. 🍓
