Cynthia L. Herzog 
Incorporating healthier meal choices into our daily lives is a great way to stay committed to overall wellness. These healthy options aren’t just available for your main dish – desserts like gourmet cakes can easily retain all the flavor while focusing on healthy ingredients. If you want to swap some traditional ingredients like refined sugar and flour, added fats and fillers for healthier options full of fiber and vitamins, try these six cake recipes that are sure to impress everyone at home. your table.
Bundt cakes are a wonderful centerpiece for meals and family gatherings, and many recipes lend themselves to this whimsical shape, including this healthy twist on a zucchini-based streusel cake! The moisture and fiber in zucchini and yogurt means you’ll add less fat and filling than your typical cake. By including traditional spice cake flavors like cinnamon and allspice, you’ll offset any traces of zucchini flavor. Drizzle the top with a simple frosting or just add some fruit frosting for a cool summer option!
Weekend mornings often call for a slice of coffee cake while you relax and read the paper. Luckily, you don’t have to abandon this tradition just to stay true to your nutritional goals. This Cranberry Coffee Cake recipe is a great way to treat yourself to weekend mornings without all the refined sugars and fats. Coconut oil is a healthier alternative to traditional butter, while ground oats replace refined flour – sweetened with honey, and you’ve made the perfect healthy coffee cake. The added cranberries provide extra sweetness with just the right amount of pie shards. You won’t miss any of your regular coffee flavors when you switch to this healthier recipe!
Few people can resist a good brownie, so prepare for success by baking these gluten-free, sugar-free, and low-carb keto brownies! And if that’s not enough to convince you, then the fact that everything can be mixed together in one bowl should push this recipe into your “yes!” battery. Using flax flour and coconut flour will add fiber and whole grains to brownies, while stevia acts as a healthier sweetener. For extra crunch, mix in your favorite nuts to boost the protein content! Not only will you love these brownies, your family will never be able to tell that they are a healthier alternative to traditional recipes.
Photo: BakiBG via gettyimages.com
Pineapple Ginger Upside-Down Carrot Cake
A summer staple, the typical upside-down pineapple cake is delicious — but loaded with refined sugar and flour, it can quickly derail your healthy eating habits. If you want to make this cake a more regular part of your healthy diet, try this alternative recipe that uses carrots and whole wheat flour to add some nutrient density. The added ginger also boosts the flavor of this cake and gives it the perfect amount of spice. You can also consider this cake as a substitute for the traditional carrot cake topped with cream cheese; fresh pineapple slices are a healthier choice and make the cake lighter and brighter!
Always a decadent dessert to serve for guests (or keep to yourself!), a chocolate mousse cake is sure to feel indulgent. This recipe doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture, but since you’re making the mousse yourself, you can choose to use fat-free dairy and less refined sugar than commercially prepared versions. Top with a white chocolate mousse (and maybe a few berries?) and you’ll have a beautiful black tie cake that doesn’t more thantreat yourself while offering flavor and class.
For a healthy take on a basic cake that you can dress up for various occasions, this yogurt cake takes, well, cake. Not only is this recipe healthy, but you can whip it all up in one bowl for less than about $5 – minimal cleanup and affordability are always a bonus! Because the moisture and some sweetness comes from the yogurt, you can significantly reduce the amount of refined sugar and fat in this cake. After baking, glaze the top with a little fruit jam if you want to infuse more flavor; choose something that complements other elements of your meal or use seasonal fruit for the freshest summer cakes! You’ll be making this regularly rotating yogurt cake in no time.
Whether you like chocolate or fruit, complex or simple, these healthier cake recipes are sure to become favorites on your family table for years to come!
