For those who want to eat a healthy diet but still enjoy desserts, low calorie cakes can be a great option. Angel food cake is one of the most popular low calorie cakes because it is usually made without oil and egg yolks. Many other cake recipes can be easily modified to lower calories and fat content by substituting ingredients. For example, applesauce can be substituted for vegetable oil or butter in a number of baking recipes, and some low calorie sweeteners can be used instead of sugar. Cheesecake, an indulgent dessert traditionally high in calories, can also be made using more diet-friendly ingredients.
Angel food cake, also sometimes called sponge cake, is a light and airy dessert that can be served alone or with a wide variety of toppings. As its primary ingredients are sugar, egg whites, and flour, angel food cake is lower in calories than many other recipes that call for fattening ingredients like oil, butter, and egg yolks. The amount of sugar in an angel food cake recipe can also be lowered, or a sugar substitute that can be used for baking may be substituted. The cake can be served alone or topped with fresh fruit and a dollop of whipped cream for a delicious light dessert.
Low calorie cakes can also be created from existing cake recipes. One easy way to lower calories and fat in a recipe is to substitute an equal amount of applesauce or even buttermilk for oil or butter. Cakes made with applesauce are sometimes more moist, which some people prefer. Some boxed cake and brownie mixes even have directions on how to make a lower calorie version. As with angel food cake, a low calorie sweetener made for baking can also be substituted for sugar in other cake recipes. Usually, a smaller amount of sweetener is equal to a larger amount of sugar, so check the package directions on the sweetener for substitution directions.
Cheesecake is one of the most popular low calorie cakes, and a variety of recipes are available. Versions made with cream cheese can be made using a light version, which is often significantly lower in fat and calories. Other low calorie ingredient substitutes include cottage cheese and low fat or fat free yogurt. For those who prefer a graham cracker crust for cheesecake, a lighter version can be made by using light butter or a fat free spread instead of regular butter. As with low calorie sweeteners, be sure that the spread is suitable for baking, as some varieties can separate when heated.