The best low calorie red velvet cake

This low calorie red velvet cake is moist, chocolaty and topped with the dreamiest low calorie cream cheese frosting! At just 78 calories a slice, this red velvet cake is the perfect indulgent dessert for anyone in a calorie deficit. And the best part? You can eat the entire cake for fewer calories than a slice of regular cake without compromising on taste!

This post contains affiliate links, to learn more, read my disclosure policy.

THIS IS NOT A DRILL, you absolutely read that right! An entire red velvet cake for just 314 calories – that is fewer calories than one slice of regular red velvet cake! Plus, you wouldn’t even know that this cake is so low in calories because it is just as moist, indulgent and delicious as traditional red velvet cake!

My low calorie cakes are by far the most popular recipes on my blog. I mean who wouldn’t want to eat an entire cake for under 400 calories? This low calorie red velvet cake is the newest addition to the bunch. It is sweet, it is moist and best of all it is just 78 calories a slice!!

This low calorie red velvet cake sits perfectly between this 68 calorie chocolate cake and this 67 calorie vanilla cake in flavor. It is a milder chocolate cake with a delicious, thick, cream cheese frosting. So as far as low calorie desserts go, you can’t get any more indulgent than this!

Low calorie red velvet cake

If you have a major sweet tooth like me and are trying to lose weight, you are in for quite the treat. This ultra rich and decadent red velvet cake is an absolute dream. It is a fluffy, moist chocolaty vanilla sponge topped with the silkiest, smoothest cream cheese frosting.

Although this recipe technically contains 4 servings, I would honestly eat it all to myself! It is the perfect low calorie cake for one as it is so low in calories. 

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE:

• Bakes in just 15 minutes! 
• Easily made in one bowl.
• Requires just 10 ingredients for the cake AND frosting! 
• Super rich, indulgent, moist and decadent. 
• This recipe can easily be made gluten-free.
• The BEST low calorie red velvet cake ever!

Ingredients

Exact ingredient quantities can be found at the bottom of this page.

To make the best low calorie red velvet cake you will need:

• Egg – This recipe calls for just 1 egg. The egg provides the structure for this low calorie red velvet cake. 
• Stevia or granulated sweetener – Any granulated sweetener will work for this recipe. Stevia is my personal favorite and is the closest in taste to sugar.
• Plain/all-purpose flour – This recipe calls for plain or all-purpose flour. For a gluten free alternative, you can use gluten free flour or oat flour.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – You only need a small amount of cocoa powder to add a subtle chocolate flavor.
• Vanilla extract – Red velvet cakes are slightly chocolaty vanilla cakes so don’t skip the vanilla extract!
• Red food colouring – You can’t have a red velvet cake without red food colouring! I prefer to use gel food colouring but any will work.
• Baking powder – Baking powder helps the cake rise. 
• Full-fat yogurt – This recipe contains very little fat and therefore calls for full-fat yogurt. This adds moisture to the cake giving it that classic soft and fluffy texture. You could use low-fat yogurt in a pinch but the cake may be a little dry. 
• Philadelphia lightest cream cheese – Red velvet cakes feature a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting. Philadelphia lightest is thick and creamy whilst being super low in calories. You can opt for low fat cream cheese which will have a few extra calories.
• 0 calorie icing sugar – 0 calorie icing sugar keeps this recipe sugar-free. If you don’t have any 0 calorie icing sugar to hand, regular icing sugar works too but it adds a few extra calories.

How to make low calorie red velvet cake

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C (356°F).
2. Using an electric hand whisk, beat together the egg and stevia until light and fluffy. Whisk in the yogurt, vanilla extract and red food colouring. Gently whisk in the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder until smooth and well combined. 
3. Transfer the batter to a 5-inch cake pan and bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Make the frosting whilst the cake cools by whisking together the cream cheese and icing sugar.
5. Frost the cooled cake and cut into 4 slices before enjoying!

TOP TIPS 

Don’t over mix the batter – When folding in the dry ingredients, do so gently. The thick egg is what gives this cake volume so you don’t want to deflate it! Fold the ingredients in until the batter is well combined but try not to over do it.

Allow the cake to cool – If you add the frosting to the cake before it cools, it will melt. Make sure to allow the cake to cool completely before adding the frosting.

Sift in the dry ingredients – To ensure that the dry ingredients are well incorporated without leaving any lumps, be sure to sift them into the wet ingredients. The last thing you want is to have lumpy batter or an unevenly baked cake!

more low calorie cakes…