Cakes are something that most people enjoy but whilst they are good for a treat, we cannot sustainably eat them on a regular basis. In response, manufacturers are now creating recipes with more wholesome ingredients. While these cakes will never be totally sinless, they can be more nutritious, low in calories and even offer a few health benefits.
By switching to cakes without saturated fat, refined ingredients or allergens that may be causing you digestive issues, you can cut down on cholesterol and lower your risk of future health issues. In this article, we uncover some of the healthier birthday cakes, mixes and slices on the market for both adults and kids. With delicious vegan, keto and no-sugar varieties from Amazon and UK supermarkets, you're sure to find one that takes your fancy.
Quick List - Top Healthy Cakes
Groovy Keto
The Perfect Cake Mix for Those Following a Low-Carb, Low-Sugar Diet
Waitrose
Free-From Cake Slices for Dairy and Gluten Allergies
Diablo
A Completely Sugar-Free, Halal and Kosher Alternative to Standard Cake
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When cake makes you ill, you definitely require an alternative. Major allergens are egg, milk and wheat – all of which you can find in a standard cake. Free-from ranges use other ingredients to ensure you can have your cake and eat it. Just keep an eye on the ingredients if you have nut allergies as flour is often replaced with ground almonds.
By omitting eggs and milk, many cakes are now also vegan-friendly. Whilst being vegan doesn't make the cake any healthier, it is a more conscious option and means you can follow your lifestyle choices without missing out on tasty treats. Always good when your or a friend's birthday rolls around and you want to celebrate with cake!
For more plant-based options, take a look at these vegan chocolate cakes
Refined sugar causes some of the biggest health issues around; from obesity to diabetes, sugar is often an underlying factor. There are now sugar-free alternatives that replace refined sugar with sweeteners or fruit. These options are better for those with diabetes and those trying to lose weight as they are generally lower in calories.
Check out these nutritionist-reviewed sugar-free sweets too
Saturated fats are fats that increase the risk of heart attacks in adults. They raise cholesterol in the body, which can lead to blocked arteries. Cake often has high levels of saturated fats, so looking for options that are lower in them can be beneficial. Margarine and vegetable shortening are amongst the worst for this, so try to avoid these.
Likewise, opting for natural ingredients, rather than those that are heavily processed, will have health benefits too. Overly processed foods can cause obesity, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Choosing natural foods that haven't been altered to improve the flavour is the key to avoiding excess.
When buying cake – even if it is a 'healthier' variety – check the levels of salt, sugar and fat per portion. Keeping within the recommended guidelines, as advised by the NHS, will help you achieve a balanced diet and reduce the risk of developing serious health issues.
As per the guidelines in the UK:
If you're reducing your sugar or carb intake, consider a low-carb bread
Do you fancy a one-off slice of cake or are you looking to cater for a party? Before you check what's on offer, consider the occasion. Large cakes are perfect for gatherings or parties but tend to go to waste if it is only you eating them. Muffins or slices are less wasteful both food and money-wise, particularly if they come individually packaged.
An excellent alternative is to buy a pre-packaged cake mix. You generally add water or eggs to the mixture and then bake. This gives you a warm, straight-from-the-oven taste, without the hassle of trying to locate healthier ingredients or juggle techniques if you are not the most experienced baker. Generally, box mixes produce one larger cake, but they can be used to make smaller muffins too.
You'll need the right cake tin if you're going for a DIY mix
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Groovy Keto Groovy Keto Carrot Cake | ![]() | The Perfect Cake Mix for Those Following a Low-Carb, Low-Sugar Diet | |
2 | Tesco Free From 4 Chocolate Cupcakes | ![]() | Cute Free-From Cupcakes for Children With Intolerances | |
3 | Waitrose Free From Chocolate Cake Slices|Pack of 5 | ![]() | Free-From Cake Slices for Dairy and Gluten Allergies | |
4 | Diablo Orange Flavour Sponge Cake|Pack of 2 | ![]() | A Completely Sugar-Free, Halal and Kosher Alternative to Standard Cake | |
5 | Sukrin Chocolate Cake Mix | ![]() | A Reduced-Calorie, High-Protein Chocolate Cake Mix | |
6 | ASDA Free From Lemon Cake Slices|Pack of 5 | ![]() | A Budget Free-From Alternative to Lemon Drizzle Cake | |
7 | Diabl0 Sugar-Free Chocolate Cake|Pack of 4 | ![]() | Diabetic-Friendly Chocolate Cakes With Zero Grams of Sugar | |
8 | No Sugar Aloud Red Velvet Low Carb Cake Mix | ![]() | A Natural, Low-Calorie Mix to Suit Almost Any Dietary Requirement | |
9 | Waitrose Plantlife Vanilla Traybake|Serves 8 | ![]() | The Perfect Plant-Based Birthday Cake | |
10 | Just Love Food Vegan Chocolate Cake | ![]() | No Artificial Colours or Hydrogenated Fat in this Vegan Chocolate Favourite |
Is there a perfect healthy cake? This cake mix from Groovy Keto Store certainly comes close. All you need to do is mix it up and bake it and you will be rewarded with a light and fluffy sponge that is full of the traditional carrot cake spices.
Being keto means this recipe is both low in carbs and has no added sugar, making this an excellent option for not just those following a keto or low-carb diet but also anyone with diabetes. Make a whole cake to share or pour it into muffin cases for a grab-and-go healthy treat as and when.
The worst thing for children with intolerances is when they head to a party and find that they can't eat any cake. Thanks to these cute cupcakes from Tesco, they can. With adorable animal faces, they look the part while not causing any internal problems.
Sadly, they're not suitable for vegans as they contain egg, but they are free from gluten, wheat and milk so they do cover some of the major allergens. Despite that, they don't scrimp on flavour – the chocolate is equally as rich and delicious as the non-free-from counterparts on the market.
Another cake option for those suffering from allergies, these handy cake slices are ideal if you are expecting guests who have intolerances. With five in a pack, they provide a tasty, affordable and indulgent treat without the need for an extra-large cake.
Made from ground almonds, the sponge is particularly scrumptious with many gluten-free reviewers stating it to be the best they've had. Be warned though, these slices are still high on the fat and sugar front, so they are not suitable for those with diabetes.
From Diablo we have this delicious orange cake which is both Halal and Kosher certified. Completely sugar-free – 0 grams – it is suitable for those following a no refined sugar diet. It is instead made with natural sweeteners to ensure none of the flavour is lost.
This option is available as a pack of two as well as in other flavours too, all sealed individually, so why not stock up to have a few in the cupboard for days when you need a little pick-me-up?
Scandinavia is well known for its sugary treats, which is why this cake mix from Norway has us salivating. What's even better than a delicious cake? One that doesn't have sugar! Sukrin has replaced the refined sugar in this recipe with a lower-calorie alternative.
On top of being sugar-free, this cake is also rich in fibre, which is great for digestion, and it's even high in protein. In addition, the mix itself is vegan, so there's the possibility of experimenting with egg substitutes if needed. The box is able to create a decent-sized cake or up to 12 muffins.
Our most reasonable cakey option, this offering from Asda provides 5 slices of zingy lemon cake for under £2. For those with dairy or gluten intolerances, these slices provide the perfect alternative to the much-loved English classic – lemon drizzle cake.
Whilst these cakes are not suitable for vegans, they are for vegetarians and the handy pack is perfect for storing in the larder and bringing out when an unexpected guest drops by. Those without any allergies will love them too.
Another offering from Diablo, these delectable chocolate cakes come in a pack of four, each made without sugar but with the added benefit of maltitol sweetener to ensure a rich and delicious flavour.
Like Diablo's orange slices, these are also Halal, Kosher and made with absolutely zero grams of sugar to make them suitable for diabetics. They don't come cheap though, so maybe save these for a special occasion.
Diabetic-friendly, yes, keto, paleo and plant-based, yes – you name it, this cake does it. Catering for almost every requirement, this red velvet mix can be combined with water and baked to create a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free cake using only natural ingredients. It even comes with a sweetener blend for the frosting.
While most box cakes are made in labs, this company pride themselves on hand-mixing their batches in a real kitchen with a real chef. This is another fairly expensive option though, and won't feed that many hungry mouths.
Waitrose are a well-loved brand noted for their exceptionally high-quality produce. This vegan cake is no exception. A light and fluffy sponge is combined with a decadent layer of vanilla icing, all without milk or eggs. With its colourful sprinkles too, it is a great pick for a birthday or kid's party.
Made with natural ingredients, you don't have to worry about any unhealthy additives. One thing to note is that as far as healthy cakes go, this is still high on the sugar and fat quota, so it's best to keep this as an occasional treat.
This cake is high on the fats and sugar front, so it's not quite a fully healthy dessert. However, it has made our list due to its natural ingredients and the fact that the manufacturers have omitted all artificial colours and hydrogenated fats.
This UK-made cake is vegan-friendly and nut-free too, but again it does so without sacrificing a delicious, rich chocolate flavour. As this reasonably sized cake serves 8, it is ideal for families or small parties.
Written and researched by Sarah Jarman
No. 1: Groovy Keto|Groovy Keto Carrot Cake
No. 2: Tesco|Free From 4 Chocolate Cupcakes
No. 3: Waitrose|Free From Chocolate Cake Slices|Pack of 5
No. 4: Diablo|Orange Flavour Sponge Cake|Pack of 2
No. 5: Sukrin |Chocolate Cake Mix
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