Low Fat Vanilla Cupcakes with Icing

Indulge your sweet tooth without the guilt with these delightful Low Fat Vanilla Cupcakes with Icing! Moist, fluffy, and bursting with rich vanilla flavor, these cupcakes are made with healthier alternatives like unsweetened applesauce, egg whites, and low-fat milk. Topped with a creamy, tangy icing made from low-fat Neufchâtel cheese and powdered sugar, they strike the perfect balance between lightness and decadence. Ready in under 40 minutes, this recipe is ideal for family gatherings, birthday celebrations, or any occasion that calls for a sweet treat with fewer calories. With a soft texture and luscious finish, these low-fat cupcakes prove that healthier desserts can be just as satisfying.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:18 mins

Total Time:38 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons Baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons Salt
• 0.75 cups Granulated sugar
• 0.5 cups Unsweetened applesauce
• 3 large Egg whites
• 0.5 cups Low-fat milk
• 1.5 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup Powdered sugar
• 4 ounces Neufchâtel cheese (low-fat cream cheese)
• 0.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract (for icing)
• 1 tablespoons Low-fat milk (for icing)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Step 2

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the granulated sugar and unsweetened applesauce until smooth.

Step 4

Add the egg whites to the sugar mixture and whisk again until light and frothy.

Step 5

Stir in the low-fat milk and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.

Step 6

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be smooth but not overly beaten.

Step 7

Using a spoon or scoop, divide the batter evenly between the 12 cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

Step 10

While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the icing: In a medium bowl, beat the Neufchâtel cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Step 11

Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of low-fat milk. Beat again until the icing is smooth and spreadable. If needed, add a few more drops of milk to reach your desired consistency.

Step 12

Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, spread or pipe the icing onto the cupcakes evenly.

Step 13

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(937.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2157.8

Total Fat 27.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 85.8mg	0%
Sodium 1900.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 437.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.2g	0%
Total Sugars 290.3g
Protein 41.5g	0%

Vitamin D 57.9IU	0%
Calcium 282.2mg	0%
Iron 8.8mg	0%
Potassium 586.7mg	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: 11.4%

Protein: 7.7%

Carbs: 81.0%