What are some tips for making a low-fat cake?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores various personal experiences and ideas related to making low-fat cakes, particularly in the context of dieting and healthier baking alternatives. Participants share their thoughts on ingredient substitutions and specific recipes they are trying out.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions wanting to make a cake for their birthday while dieting and asks about substituting applesauce for vegetable oil.
  • Another participant notes that angel food cakes are fat-free and can be topped with fresh fruit and non-fat whipped cream.
  • One participant expresses interest in making an angel food cake after hearing about it.
  • A participant shares a recipe for an eggless applesauce cake, detailing their modifications to reduce fat and calories, including using less butter and whole wheat flour.
  • Another participant describes their altered version of the applesauce cake recipe, highlighting their use of a butter blend, brown sugar, and additional ingredients to enhance nutrition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best methods and ingredients for making low-fat cakes, with no clear consensus emerging on a single approach or recipe.

Contextual Notes

Participants are sharing personal experiences and modifications to traditional cake recipes in the context of dietary preferences and healthier eating habits.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants interested in healthier baking options or those looking for low-fat cake recipes may find the shared experiences and ideas beneficial.

armywyf
Messages
105
Ok so my Bday is tomorrow and I would really like to have a cake but as with most people I am dieting and exercising more getting ready for my vacation to Key West in March... I have heard that you can substitute applesauce for vegetable oil, is that right? Are there any other substitutions that can be made to reduce the fat?
 
aren't angel food cakes fat free & you can top it with fresh fruit and non fat cool whip
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
I think that may be what I do, thank you I hadn't thought of doing an angel food cake...
 
Here is a recipe I am making today - it's eggless (cuts down on fat and calories), and has just a small amount of butter in it, and I'm going to only use half of the butter and increase the amount of applesauce I use. I'm also using half whole wheat flour. Oh - and I'm not adding the raisins:yuck:. I'll let you know how it turns out. It got really good ratings on Allrecipes.com.


APPLESAUCE CAKE
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup chilled applesauce
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts



DIRECTIONS
Cream butter or margarine with sugar. Add applesauce; beat well. Stir in flour, soda, and spices. Add nuts and raisins.
Pour the batter into a greased and floured 8 inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 minutes, or until done. Serve warm.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Thank you Becky, let me know how it turns out for sure!
 
Okay - it's in the oven! (hee hee - some are cleaning today to keep busy waiting for the announcements to hit CC - but instead, I'm cooking and baking. I have homemade split pea soup in the crockpot, bread rising, and a cake in the oven! Plus, I made a big breakfast for the family this morning!)

BUT - here is what the recipe I made actually looks like - I altered just about everything in the original recipe!

APPLESAUCE CAKE
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter - I used a Smart Balance 50/50 blend
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cup chilled applesauce
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup quick oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon cinnanmon plus spice blend
1 tsp. vanilla


So - I'll let you know how it turns out. I decided since I was using the Smart Balance, to just keep the original amount of fat. It's not a large amount for a cake anyway. As originally written it's just 265 calories a piece, and that's pretty good for cake! But I upped the nutritional value of the cake by adding the WW flour, and the oatmeal, and increasing the applesauce a little. Oh - and decreasing the sugar by 1/4 cup. I switched to brown sugar to give it more of a caramelly flavor. I almost threw in a chopped apple and some ground flax too - if it turns out well, I may just do that next time!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common substitutes for high-fat ingredients in cake recipes?

Common substitutes for high-fat ingredients include using applesauce or mashed bananas instead of oil or butter. You can also use Greek yogurt or buttermilk to replace some of the fat while keeping the moisture in the cake.

How can I reduce sugar in my low-fat cake without sacrificing taste?

You can reduce sugar by using natural sweeteners like stevia, honey, or maple syrup. Additionally, incorporating fruits like pureed dates or applesauce can add sweetness without the extra sugar.

What type of flour is best for making a low-fat cake?

Whole wheat flour or almond flour are great options for low-fat cakes as they provide more fiber and nutrients compared to all-purpose flour. You can also experiment with gluten-free flours if needed.

Are there specific baking techniques that help keep a cake low in fat?

Yes, techniques such as creaming the sugar and eggs together can help incorporate air into the batter, making the cake lighter. Also, folding in whipped egg whites can add volume without extra fat.

How can I ensure my low-fat cake remains moist?

To keep your low-fat cake moist, consider adding ingredients like yogurt, applesauce, or even a splash of milk. Also, avoid overbaking, as this can dry out the cake. Keeping an eye on baking time is crucial.

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