Looking for a show-stopping healthy dessert that feels indulgent without the guilt? This Vanilla Cake with Butter Frosting delivers exactly that. Made with simple ingredients and mindful swaps, it’s perfect for UK kitchens aiming to balance flavour, texture, and wellness.
Ingredients (makes 12 slices)
Cake
- 250 g plain flour (UK)
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 175 g caster sugar (light)
- 2 large free-range eggs
- 120 ml semi-skimmed milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
- 60 ml low-fat Greek yogurt
- 60 ml light vegetable oil
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Butter Frosting
- 60 g unsalted butter, softened
- 100 g low-fat cream cheese
- 200 g icing sugar, sifted
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tsp low-fat milk, to achieve spreadable consistency
Nutritional Counts (per 1 slice; 12 slices total)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ≈ 280 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Sugars | 18 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g |
| Fibre | 1.5 g |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
This makes it a well-balanced healthy dessert pick—moderate in sweetness, rich in flavour, and offering protein and calcium (thanks to yogurt and milk).
Culinary Process
- Prep – Preheat your oven to 180 °C (fan 160 °C/gas 4). Grease and line a 20 cm round cake tin.
- Dry Mix – In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the sugar and whisk briefly.
- Wet Mix – In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with milk, yogurt, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine – Pour the wet into the dry mixture, gently folding until evenly blended. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Bake – Pour batter into the tin and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool – Let the cake sit in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting – Beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add icing sugar and vanilla, then thin with milk, creating a creamy spread.
- Assemble – Place the cooled cake on a serving plate. Spread the frosting evenly across the top and sides with a knife or spatula.
- Decorate – Garnish with fresh berries (e.g. strawberries, raspberries) or a sprinkling of lemon zest for freshness and visual appeal.
Why This Counts as a Healthy Dessert
- Lower sugar – We’ve reduced the icing sugar and use light cream cheese, halving sugar compared to traditional buttercream.
- Healthier fats – Light yogurt and unsaturated oil replace heavy cream or full-fat butter.
- Protein and calcium – Dairy adds nutritional value, helping to balance indulgence with needs.
- Portion control – With realistic sizing (12 slices), it’s easy to enjoy a modest serving.
- UK-friendly ingredients – All are common in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Asda, making it accessible and achievable.
Presentation & Serving Tips
- Visual flair – Add fresh fruit, mint sprigs or edible flowers for pops of colour.
- Serve with – A dollop of Greek yogurt or a side of mixed berries—you’ve got a dessert that looks decadent with fewer calories.
- For parties – Sprinkle nuts (e.g. flaked almonds) for crunch, or drizzle with a spoonful of honey made from local UK honey—still a healthy dessert twist!
Health-Conscious Upgrades
- Gluten-free – Swap plain flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
- Lower-sugar – Choose avocado oil or reduce sugar further and use a sugar substitute like erythritol.
- Vegan version – Replace eggs with chia egg (1 Tbsp chia + 3 Tbsp water per egg), yogurt with plant-based yogurt, and milk with oat milk.
- Wholewheat edge – Try half plain and half wholewheat for extra fibre (around 4 g per slice).
Conclusion
This Vanilla Cake with Butter Frosting is a delectable healthy dessert that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture. With just ~280 kcal per slice, it fits beautifully into modern UK lifestyles favouring reduced sugar and mindful indulgences. Easy to bake, visually appealing, and adaptable to dietary swaps, it ticks all the boxes: flavour, balance, convenience, and shareability.
Thinking ahead? This cake pairs wonderfully alongside your next blog hero—Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Brownie! Imagine this light vanilla touch after a rich chocolate fix—your readers will keep coming back for more.
Eye-Catching Tips for the blog
Hero Image That Sells the Slice
- Use a close-up, high-resolution image of a single slice with swirled butter frosting.
- Add a garnish of fresh berries, mint, or dusted cinnamon for colour contrast.
- Soft natural lighting helps highlight the cake’s texture and moistness.
Use Step-by-Step Visuals
- Include mini photo panels for key steps:
- Batter mixing
- Pouring into the tin
- Frosting the cake
- Final decorated slice
- Add short captions under each step (e.g., “Don’t overmix for fluffier texture”).