You don't have to drop your healthy eating habits at every celebration. These healthy birthday cake recipes will keep you feeling younger and fitter each year!
19 Healthy Birthday Cake Recipes You’ll Make Year After Year
Updated on May 03, 2024
1/18
Grapefruit Yogurt Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Packed with fat-free plain yogurt and fresh fruit, this dazzling cake is perfect for anyone craving a nontraditional cake. Clocking in at under 200 calories a slice, you could even eat this masterpiece for your birthday breakfast!
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 187 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 159mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat.
2/18
Strawberry Shortcake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I grew up helping my mom make a lot in our farmhouse kitchen; strawberry shortcakes, roasts, soups and pies. This sunny strawberry shortcake recipe brings back memories of family summers on the farm. —Janet Becker, Anacortes, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 231 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 188mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
3/18
Orange Dream Angel Food Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Angel food is one of the best healthy birthday cake options. Loaded with a dozen egg whites, this recipe has no fat or cholesterol, yet features a bright orange flavor.
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 130 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch.
Find more drool-worthy inspiration in this 50th birthday recipe ideas list.
4/18
Devil’s Food Snack Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A healthy chocolate birthday cake? Sign us up! This light Devil’s Food bake relies on creative ingredients, like quick-cooking oats and whole wheat flour, to boost nutrition. And, since it’s made in a 13×9 pan, there will be plenty to go around!
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 174 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 91mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch.
5/18
Chocolate Macaroon Cupcakes
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These beautiful cupcakes only look indulgent. They’re loaded with healthful ingredients, such as unsweetened applesauce and reduced-fat ricotta cheese, to slash calories and fat.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cupcake: 126 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch.
6/18
Streuseled Zucchini Bundt Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Who knew eating veggies could be so fun? This healthy birthday cake idea is loaded with two cups of shredded zucchini, giving the cake a delicious, moist texture.
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 287 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 259mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
7/18
Pressure-Cooker Lava Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ooh la lava! Made in your trusty Instant Pot, this delightful dessert has only 4 grams of fat. For added indulgence, serve with a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt and fresh berries.
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 208 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 208mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
8/18
Yummy Chocolate Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Convenience ingredients make this healthy cake option a cinch to prepare. And opting for sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix and reduced-fat whipped topping keep the calorie and fat counts low.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 184 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 465mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
9/18
Orange Buttermilk Cupcakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
9 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1 cupcake: 201 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 208mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
10/18
Contest-Winning Chocolate Angel Food Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I take this different kind of angel food cake to church bake sales, it goes before I can get it on the table!—Mary Ann Iverson, Woodville, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 344 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 127mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
11/18
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One bite of fudgy flourless chocolate cake and you'll see why it's pure pleasure for confirmed chocoholics! A small slice of this rich, dense dessert goes a long way.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 202 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 76mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
12/18
Lemon Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Citrus trees grow abundantly in California, and I'm always looking for new recipes which use the fruit from the orange and lemon trees in my yard. This lemon pound cake is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. —Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 500 calories, 23g fat (11g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 333mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
13/18
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With only 4 grams of sugar per serving, we can enjoy this cake night after night. It’s perfect for summer birthdays!
Nutrition Facts:
1 cake slice with 1/4 cup strawberries (calculated without ice cream and syrup): 132 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 247mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
14/18
Banana Chocolate Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Low in calories, fat and sugar, this light-as-air chocolate cake has a yummy banana flavor. It’s scrumptious as is, but you can also dress it up with nuts or a light frosting.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 169 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 261mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
15/18
Zucchini Cupcakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Cupcakes are a forgiving place to hide veggies, like zucchini or carrots. These delightful bites rely on cinnamon, cloves and almond extract for a sweet-spicy flavor. For an even lighter treat, go ahead and skip the frosting.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cupcake: 327 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 305mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
16/18
Lemon Blueberry Cornmeal Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This quick and easy dessert gets lighter with a few substitutions, including yogurt, honey and egg whites. It’s a delicious part of a birthday brunch, too!
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 250 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 156mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
17/18
Gran’s Apple Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Even with some swaps, like unsweetened applesauce and reduced-fat cream cheese, this cake tastes just as good as grandma’s version. Try it for a fall birthday celebration.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 181 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 213mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat.
18/18
Chocolate Almond Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fluffy white homemade frosting tops this rich chocolate almond cake. Sliced toasted almonds on top add a little crunch. —Sherri Gentry, Dallas, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 370 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 386mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
