4.9 from 117 votes
Healthy Vanilla Cake
This Healthy Vanilla Cake uses whole wheat pastry flour, Greek yogurt, avocado oil, and maple syrup for a moist, tender crumb with balanced sweetness and subtle vanilla aroma. The batter is gently mixed and baked in small pans to create a layered cake base suitable for frosting. The cake offers a wholesome twist while retaining classic vanilla flavor, making it ideal for birthdays or celebrations when paired with vanilla buttercream or other frostings.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings:
12
Calories:
398 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 ⅔ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt sea salt
- Pinch cinnamon
- 3 large egg at room temperature
- 1 ½ cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup avocado oil
- ¾ cup maple syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- buttercream frosting or frosting of choice, vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray three 6-inch pans with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, Greek yogurt, oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract.
- Pour the dry into the wet and stir until mixture is just combined. Don’t over-mix!
- Divide the mixture evenly into prepared baking pans
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Let cool for about 10 minutes, then remove so they don’t continue to cook and let cool completely on a wire rack. One cool, frost and decorate as desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If whole wheat pastry flour is unavailable, use all-purpose flour or a half-and-half mixture with whole wheat flour.
- Greek yogurt can be substituted with any plain, unsweetened yogurt, but avoid flavored varieties as they may alter sweetness and flavor balance.
- Avocado oil is interchangeable with olive oil, melted coconut oil, or butter based on preference or availability.
- Maple syrup substitutes include honey or agave syrup; dry sugars like coconut sugar have not been tested in this recipe and may affect texture.
- For gluten-free options, consider using oat and almond flour blends as per similar recipes; for dairy-free, replace yogurt with plant-based yogurts.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 slice with vanilla buttercream
Calories
398kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
55g
(18%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
71mg
(24%)
Sodium
291mg
(12%)
Potassium
146mg
(3%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
36g
(72%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 398
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 slice with vanilla buttercream | |
| Calories | 398kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 71mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 291mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 146mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 36g | 72% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.