Low Fat Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Banana cake is a classic dessert that many people love. It's moist, flavorful, and easy to make. However, traditional banana cake recipes can be high in fat and calories. If you're looking for a healthier option, then you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll show you how to make a low-fat banana cake with cream cheese frosting that's just as delicious as the traditional version. With a few simple substitutions, you can enjoy this tasty treat guilt-free.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- 4 oz. reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the applesauce, Greek yogurt, mashed bananas, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. While the cake is baking, make the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
7. Add the powdered sugar gradually, beating well after each addition, until the frosting is thick and smooth.
8. Once the cake is done, let it cool completely in the pan. Once cool, use a knife or offset spatula to spread the cream cheese frosting on top of the cake.
9. Slice and serve.
Tips
- Be sure to use ripe bananas for the best flavor.
- You can use any type of sugar you like, but brown sugar adds a nice depth of flavor.
- To make this recipe vegan, swap out the eggs for flax eggs and use a vegan cream cheese substitute.
- You can also add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for some extra texture and flavor.
Conclusion
With this low-fat banana cake recipe, you can enjoy a delicious dessert without all the extra calories and fat. The cream cheese frosting adds just the right amount of sweetness, and the whole wheat flour and applesauce make the cake moist and tender. Give this recipe a try the next time you're in the mood for something sweet and satisfying.