20 ideas for healthier cakes from Delicious.com.au

Yes! You can have your (healthier) cake and eat it too. Here’s a selection of cake recipes with a healthy twist. They’re bound to lighten up your morning and afternoon tea sessions.

4 min read

November 12, 2023 - 3:41PM

No one can resist a slice of cake!

However, these cakes use simple substitutions that make for slightly healthier versions for when you accidentally have a piece too many.

These sweet slices are chock-full of fruity, nutty and natural flavours.

You can make Teresa Cutter’s ‘world’s healthiest chocolate cake’ in four steps.

The world’s healthiest chocolate cake

“This cake is gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free, making it the perfect healthy treat for everyone,” says Teresa Cutter. This recipe is an edited extract from Earth To Table by Teresa Cutter (The Healthy Chef, $49.95). It is available from thehealthychef.com.

Polish apple tea cake

This is a simple and extremely delicious cake. The recipe was inspired by my Polish great-aunt, and she made her spectacular apple cakes practically every weekend. My Polish apple cake is filled to the brim with finely chopped apples, and every mouthful is pure wholesome goodness.

Hummingbird cake.

Healthy hummingbird cake

End your next dinner party on a high note, with this spectacular cake naturally sweetened by the inclusion of pumpkin, banana and pineapple.

Gluten-free yoghurt cheesecake

Serve with your favourite summer fruit: we used mango and passionfruit.

Healthy carrot cake with yoghurt frosting

“This is my ultimate carrot cake. It’s rich in protein, not too sweet and it’s also gluten free. I’ve scented the cake with cinnamon, vanilla and a little honey, then lavishly topped the cake with my yoghurt frosting, figs and pistachio.”

Rhubarb and honey cake.

Rhubarb and honey cake

“The magnificent tart flavour of rhubarb dances on the tastebuds and makes the perfect topping for this cake. Rhubarb is high in antioxidants and is wonderful for digestive health. This cake is gorgeous and light as well as being gluten and dairy free.”

Flourless orange cake

“I’ve used whole sweet navel oranges to make this gorgeous cake – skin and all. You simply boil them until soft, then blend them with vanilla, almond meal and honey.”

Chocolate and beetroot cake

“The simple combination of earthy beetroot and dark cocoa powder creates a cake that’s nourishing, delicious and perfect for any occasion. Top generously with whipped avocado frosting. You can also embellish the cake with blackberries or serve with pears poached in red wine. I love the idea of adding vegetables to cakes to make them good for your health and super moist and delicious.”

Zucchini cake by Teresa Cutter.

Desserts don’t get much healthier than this zucchini cake by Teresa Cutter

“I love that this cake is not too sweet, and it marries perfectly with omega-3-rich walnuts,” says Teresa Cutter. This recipe is an edited extract from Earth To Table by Teresa Cutter (The Healthy Chef, $49.95). It is available from thehealthychef.com.

Carrot, parsnip and zucchini cake with pistachio praline

The humble carrot cake just got a vegie-packed makeover. Yum!

Mandarin, pistachio and yoghurt cake.

This mandarin, pistachio and yoghurt cake tastes as good as it looks

This unlikely trio makes for a killer dessert, and with no flour included, can be enjoyed by everyone. Begin this recipe a day ahead.

Banana and walnut loaf cake

“It’s best to use very ripe bananas for this cake. The most brown bananas impart the most flavour. You can often find heavily discounted bananas in just the right state of disrepair at your grocer. We have a container of over-ripe bananas in the freezer, which would be perfect, too – just make sure you peel them before you freeze them,” says Michael James.

Apple, carrot, lemon and cinnamon cake

“Made with spelt flour, fresh carrots and a sharp apple purée, this cake is so unbelievably moist that I want to call it a pudding, but I’m going to resist as it’s good to eat at any time,” says Gill Meller. This is an edited extract from Root, Stem, Leaf, Flower by Gill Meller (Hardie Grant Books, $49.99) and is available where all good books are sold.

Banana and coconut cake.

Banana and coconut cake with lemon icing

This banana and coconut cake is perfect for gatherings. This is an edited extract from A Year of Simple Family Food by Julia Busuttil Nishimura, Published by Plum, $39.99.

Apple and hazelnut cake with caramel custard

“You’ll need a piping bag and cranked palette knife for this recipe,” says Matt Moran.

Lemon pound cake

“Pound” cake comes from using a pound each of four ingredients, but I’ll show you how to get the same buttery-rich texture without the sugar and extra carbs. This is an edited extract from Healthy Keto Air Fryer Cookbook by Aaron Day (Alpha, $29.99), available now.

Carrot and coconut cake.

Channel serious LA vibes with this carrot and coconut cake

“This is a very simple dairy-free carrot cake with the addition of coconut (desiccated inside, flakes on top). You can find really good dairy-free coconut milk yoghurts in many supermarkets now and they make an easy alternative to traditional cream cheese frosting, plus they aren’t nearly as sweet” - Eleanor Maidment. This is an edited extract from California Living + Eating by Eleanor Maidment, published by Hardie Grant Books (RRP $45), and is available in stores nationally. Photographer: Nassima Rothacker

Originally published as 20 ideas for healthier cakes from Delicious.com.au

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