Healthy Cake Recipes and Cooking Tips

Featured Recipes

Pear & Ginger Cheesecake

Softened dried pears give this low-fat cheesecake much of its body. For the best taste, let it rest for 24 hours in the refrigerator.

» Pear & Ginger Cheesecake

Key Lime Meringue Cake

A cake with a meringue? Though not unheard of, this one is definitely a flight of fancy, a cakey version of Key lime pie.

» Key Lime Meringue Cake

Linzer Tart (or Linzer Torte) is an Austrian specialty: an almond pastry topped with raspberry jam. Here it is reinvented as an American cake: almond-rich layers divided by raspberry jam. It's even better when prepared a day in advance, giving the jam time to soak into the cake. If you like, buck tradition by using strawberry jam and garnishing with fresh strawberries.

» Linzer Cake

Mini Molten Chocolate Cakes with Mocha Sauce

Some molten-cake recipes call for simply underbaking the batter so the middles stay lava-like, but mini cakes get done so quickly it's best to give them a filling that won't set up. These rich, mocha-flavored morsels are guaranteed to stay moist and gooey, owing to a simple mocha ganache in the middle. Serve the cakes with a scoop of low-fat coffee ice cream and garnish with a chocolate-covered espresso bean, if desired.

» Mini Molten Chocolate Cakes with Mocha Sauce

Pineapple-Coconut Layer Cake

In this stunning dessert, two layers of coconut-flavored cake are filled with sweet pineapple curd and topped with creamy coconut frosting, chunks of fresh pineapple and toasted coconut.

» Pineapple-Coconut Layer Cake

Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Shortbread Crust

A sublime silky chocolate custard fills this simple hazelnut shortbread crust. Serve garnished with whipped cream and toasted hazelnuts for a special touch.

» Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Shortbread Crust

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

This rustic cake is a delicious alternative to pie and uses one of the tastiest fruits of the fall harvest—cranberries. The basic recipe is very versatile and can be made with apples, pears, peaches, plums or any full-flavored, slightly acidic fruit. Just arrange the fruit in the skillet before you pour the batter over it. The cake is best served warm; if you can, put it in the oven just before you sit down to dinner. (Recipe adapted from The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters.)

» Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Healthy cake recipes for birthdays, holidays and festive celebrations all year long.

Who said you can’t have your cake and eat it too? Birthdays, holidays and other celebrations just aren’t complete without cake! However, traditional cake recipes are often loaded with fat, sugar and calories, taking some of the joy out of enjoying dessert. We’ve transformed the typical cake recipe by cutting back on white flour and limiting the use of full-fat ingredients, making healthier substitutions that will satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. So bake up one of these delicious healthier cake recipes for your next celebration—and enjoy eating it too.