Low Fat Classic Birthday Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Icing

Celebrate special moments guilt-free with this Low Fat Classic Birthday Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Icing. This lighter take on a timeless favorite uses wholesome substitutes like non-fat Greek yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, and skim milk to create a moist, tender crumb without sacrificing flavor. Topped with a luscious vanilla buttercream made with light butter and a touch of sweetness, this cake is as decadent as it is waistline-friendly. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebration, this fluffy two-layer cake takes just 50 minutes from start to finish and serves 12—making it a crowd-pleasing centerpiece. Whether you're looking for a healthier dessert option or a homemade treat that doesn’t compromise on taste, this recipe is sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 1.5 tablespoons Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 cup Non-fat Greek yogurt
• 0.5 cup Unsweetened applesauce
• 1.25 cups Skim milk
• 4 Large egg whites
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 3 cups Powdered sugar
• 0.5 cup Light butter, softened
• 1.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract for icing
• 2 tablespoons Skim milk for icing

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, applesauce, skim milk, egg whites, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 4

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 5

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Step 7

Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8

For the vanilla buttercream icing, beat the light butter in a large bowl until creamy.

Step 9

Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the 2 tablespoons of skim milk, beating until smooth after each addition.

Step 10

Mix in 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract until well incorporated and the icing is light and fluffy.

Step 11

Once the cakes are fully cooled, spread a layer of icing on top of one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining icing.

Step 12

Decorate as desired and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1883.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4272.8

Total Fat 45.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 101.5mg	0%
Sodium 4419.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 893.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.9g	0%
Total Sugars 691.9g
Protein 74.5g	0%

Vitamin D 146.7IU	0%
Calcium 698.6mg	0%
Iron 11.8mg	0%
Potassium 1480.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 9.5%

Protein: 7.0%

Carbs: 83.5%