Cake is and has always been a popular dessert for dinners and special occasions, as well as in between meals, but many dieters shun cake because it tends to be rather high in calories. These two recipes, however, produce cakes that are not only extremely moist but relatively low in calories, meaning that weight watchers can enjoy these delicious desserts without sabotaging their diets. On the other hand, these two recipes produce such tasty cakes that they’re sure to a hit with non-dieters as well.
Recipe for Low Calorie Sour Cream Coconut Cake for Dieters
For the following cake, cooks can substitute a purchased white cake mix, for the sake of ease and convenience; however, if they do so, they must bear in mind that the total number of calories per slice will be somewhat different than what is listed below.
Ingredients for cake:
- 2 and 3/4 cups flour
- 1 and 2/3 cups sugar
- 2/3 cup vegetable shortening (room temperature)
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons skim milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 egg whites
Preparation of cake:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Lightly grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
- Combine flour and sugar in sifter.
- Place shortening in bowl and stir just to soften.
- Sift dry ingredients into shortening.
- Add 3/4 cup milk and vanilla extract.
- Mix until all flour is damp.
- Beat 2 minutes at medium speed.
- Add eggs and remaining milk.
- Beat 1 minute longer.
- Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool before frosting.
Ingredients for sour cream coconut icing:
- 2 cups low fat light sour cream
- 2 cups sugar
- 24 ounces frozen coconut (unsweetened)
Preparation of icing:
- Mix all ingredients by hand.
- Frost the first layer.
- Add second layer and frost.
- Store cake in refrigerator between servings.
Servings: 16
Calories per slice: 325
Recipe for Marshmallow Cream Cake for Weight Watchers
This recipe is for an angel food cake that is extremely low in calories yet also exceptionally tasty. Please note, however, that cooks can substitute prepared marshmallow frosting, but if they choose to do so, they should keep in mind that the number of calories per slice will differ from that provided below. Moreover, as shown in the photo, cooks can garnish the cake with either strawberries and/or chocolate shavings, but doing so will increase the calorie count, especially if they use the chocolate shavings.
Ingredients for cake:
- 1 and 1/4 cup cake flour, sifted
- 1 and 1/2 cup egg whites
- 1 and 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter
Preparation of cake:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Combine egg whites, salt, vanilla, almond, and cream of tarter in glass bowl.
- Beat, gradually adding 1 cup sugar, until stiff peaks form.
- Mix flour and 1/2 cup sugar in separate bowl.
- Gradually fold flour and sugar mixture into egg white mixture, using a large wire spoon (Do not beat).
- Pour cake mix into ungreased 10-inch tube pan.
- Using a knife, slice through batter several times to release air bubbles.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minute or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Invert cake upside down on a rack and allow it to cool.
- Loosen edges of cake with a sharp knife.
- Remove from pan by inverting onto a serving dish.
Ingredients for marshmallow frosting:
- 6 large marshmallows
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg white
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons water
Preparation of marshmallow frosting:
- Cut marshmallows into pieces.
- Combine egg white, sugar, and cream of tartar in top of double boiler.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until peaks form.
- Remove from heat.
- Add marshmallows and vanilla extract.
- Stir until cool and holds its shape.
- Frost cooled angel food cake.
- Garnish with strawberries and/or chocolate curls if desired.
Servings: 16
Calories per serving: 140
Readers who would like some additional low-calorie recipes might also enjoy the following:
- Low Calorie Diet Recipes for Lasagna
- Low Calorie Homemade Vegetable Soup Recipes
- Low Calorie Pie Recipes for Weight Watchers
Carol Rzadkiewicz - Carol Rzadkiewicz has taught college English for over 14 years and is the author of three published novels and numerous short stories.
