The phrase “healthy birthday cake” might sound like an oxymoron, but we’re here to tell you it can be done—and it can taste amazing too. We’ve rounded up a bunch of drool-worthy healthy cake recipes that are still big on flavor. Whether you’re looking for the best healthy chocolate cake recipe, a vanilla cake recipe, or even something vegan, you’ll find it here. Keep reading to get the scoop!
Vegan Funfetti Cake with Vanilla Buttercream
A vegan birthday cake that doesn’t skimp on fun or flavor: sign us up! This sweet creation by Orchids + Sweet Tea is colorful inside and out, thanks to a healthy dose of rainbow sprinkles.
Carrot Cake Ice Cream Cake
It’ll be love at first bite with this deceptively healthy cake from Feasting on Fruit. The ice cream is made with frozen bananas, while the cake is sweetened with dates and coconut sugar.
Coconut Flour Cake
This lightened-up cake from Well Plated is a delicious pick for sensitive tummies, and it pairs perfectly with a fluffy coconut frosting. Top it off with sprinkles, and you’ve got a dessert everyone will rave about.
Cinnamon Chocolate Layer Cake
Take your chocolate cake to the next level with this fabulous recipe from Green Smoothie Gourmet. A dash of cinnamon in the batter adds an extra dimension, and the dark chocolate frosting is a fitting finish. Oh, and it’s vegan and gluten-free!
Vegan Coconut, Orange and Chocolate Cake
Chocolate lovers, you’re in luck! This vegan treat from Occasionally Eggs is sure to be a hit. The cake is lightly flavored with orange juice and coconut milk, then topped with a heavenly whipped chocolate ganache.
Baby-Friendly Cake
Bettina at Oh Everything Handmade whipped up this dessert for her baby’s first birthday—but the delish ingredients can be a hit with kids and adults of all ages. Think applesauce, bananas, cinnamon and nutmeg, with a cream cheese frosting to top everything off.
Chocolate Beet Cake with Chocolate Avocado Frosting
Trust us, you can’t beat a beet cake. With this decadent dessert from The Pretty Bee, you get all of the fiber and antioxidants, but the beet flavor is totally hidden under all that chocolate-y goodness. Add on a super creative (and delicious!) avocado icing and you’re set for any celebration.
Chocolate Quinoa Cupcakes with Naturally Pink Frosting
How about some quinoa in your birthday cupcakes? Making Thyme for Health gives the traditional chocolate cupcake a healthy twist with quinoa, almond milk, and more. As for that pretty pink frosting? It’s colored using a little beet juice instead of fake dye!
Flourless Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake
We’ve got to give major props to this cake from Chelsea’s Messy Apron. Not only does it showcase our fave fall flavors in a healthy way, but it’s also made in one bowl. That means less cleanup, more birthday party!
Best Gluten Free White Cake Ever
Ahh, white cake. There’s a reason it’s a birthday staple. This version from Yammie’s Gluten Freedom has all the traits of the classic cake except for one update: it’s totally gluten-free.
Dye-Free Rainbow Cake
Want to give your kiddo a colorful cake but without all those iffy food dyes? Itsy Bitsy Foodies has come up with a way to do it thanks to veggie and fruit juice. The result? Totally wow-worthy and dye-free.
Healthy Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate, banana, and peanut butter are pretty much a dynamic trio when it comes to birthday cake flavors. HelloBee makes this fudgy masterpiece with whole grain flour and a cute five-inch pan. Oh, and did we mention the cake is totally free of refined sugars?
Carrot Cake
What’s up, doc? Vegan carrot cake, that’s what! For your birthday kid, Love & Lemons has totally vegan-ized everyone’s favorite carrot-y treat. Special ingredients include applesauce, almond milk and frosting that uses macadamia nuts instead of cream cheese.
Kid-Approved Healthy Cake
This cake from Chocolate Covered Katie has been kid-tested and kid-approved. It’s light and fluffy like any good birthday cake, but it’s also got its fair share of fiber, selenium, manganese and protein. Don’t forget the healthy strawberry frosting!
Fig Newton Cupcakes
Ready to give a classic cookie a whole new twist? These Fig Newton-inspired cupcakes from Amy's Healthy Baking are 100% whole wheat and made without refined flour or sugar—but they still have the same great flavor you know and love, thanks to a fun figgy filling.
Flowerless Whole Meyer Lemon Cake
You will love this delicious Flowerless Whole Meyer Lemon Cake from The View From Great Island. An entire lemon, peel and all, is used in the recipe, so you will not be missing any flavor!
Almond Flour Banana Cake
This Almond Flour Banana Cake from One Lovely Life is a tasty way to use up older bananas and make a healthier cake. This recipe is paleo-friendly, healthy and it will make everyone happy!
Gluten Free Angel Food Cake
If the typical birthday cake isn't your thing, then this Gluten Free Angel Food Cake From Veggie Balance is a sweet and light way to celebrate. This recipe is also dairy-free and nut-free!
— Taylor Clifton, Abigail Matsumoto & Susie Foresman
