Heart-Healthy Classic Red Velvet Cake
Indulge in the decadence of a classic red velvet cake with a heart-healthy twist! This "Heart-Healthy Classic Red Velvet Cake" recipe swaps traditional ingredients for wholesome alternatives like whole wheat pastry flour, unsweetened applesauce, and Greek yogurt, ensuring every bite is as nutritious as it is delicious. Moist and tender with a subtle cocoa flavor, the vibrant red layers are perfectly complemented by a tangy neufchâtel cream cheese frosting. Whether you're hosting a celebration or simply treating yourself, this lighter take on a beloved dessert is lower in saturated fat and packed with flavor. Optional chopped walnuts add a delightful crunch and a boost of healthy fats to this stunning creation. Perfect for health-conscious bakers, this guilt-free red velvet cake is proof that indulgence can be both delicious and smart!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup canola oil
- 0.5 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 0.75 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 large egg
- 1.25 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 8 ounces neufchatel cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons skim milk
- 0.5 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, sift together the whole wheat pastry flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In another large mixing bowl, whisk together the canola oil, applesauce, and Greek yogurt until well combined.
Add the buttermilk, vanilla extract, vinegar, egg, granulated sugar, and red food coloring to the oil mixture. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean.
While the cakes are baking, prepare the frosting by beating the neufchatel cream cheese with the powdered sugar and skim milk until smooth and creamy.
Once the cakes are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Once cooled, spread a layer of the cream cheese frosting on top of one cake. Place the second cake on top and spread frosting over the top and sides.
Optionally, sprinkle chopped walnuts on top for added texture and nutrition.
Slice and serve this heart-healthy red velvet cake with love and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4696 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 217.2 g | 278% | |
| Saturated Fat | 46.3 g | 232% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 28.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 381 mg | 127% | |
| Sodium | 3497 mg | 152% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 602.6 g | 219% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 33.7 g | 120% | |
| Total Sugars | 412.8 g | ||
| Protein | 87.1 g | 174% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.5 mcg | 23% | |
| Calcium | 879 mg | 68% | |
| Iron | 10.3 mg | 57% | |
| Potassium | 2206 mg | 47% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
