15 Easy Diabetic-Friendly Birthday Cakes

Best Angel Food Cake

For our daughter’s wedding, a friend made this lovely, angel food cake from a recipe she’s used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I’ve found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa

Yummy Chocolate Cake

1 piece: 184 calories, 3g fat, 34g carb per serving
My husband and I are trying to eat lighter but still crave sweets. This moist, healthy, diabetic dessert cake really helps with that. Sugar-free instant pudding and reduced-fat whipped topping reduce calories, while the rich frosting makes for an easy and delicious treat—perfect for birthdays! —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma

Almond Torte

1 piece: 215 calories, 8g fat, 32g carb per serving
Reduced-fat sour cream, egg whites and applesauce lighten up this gorgeous almond torte. A creamy custard filling lends richness. —Kathy Olsen, Marlborough, New Hampshire

Pineapple Pudding Cake

1 piece: 152 calories, 5g fat, 22g carb
My mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. It’s so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! Feel free to leave off the maraschino cherries if you’d like it a little less sweet. —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts

Gran’s Apple Cake

1 piece: 181 calories, 5 fat, 32g carb
My grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this recipe one that we treasured. Even though I’ve lightened it up, it’s still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California

Grapefruit Yogurt Cake

1 piece: 187 calories, 6g fat, 30g carb per serving
We eat grapefruit for breakfast and in winter fruit salads—why not for dessert? Here’s a sweet-tart cake that’s easy, delicious and one of a kind. Oh, and healthy, too! —Maiah Miller, Montclair, Vermont

Orange Ricotta Cake Roll

1 piece: 169 calories, 9g fat, 17g carb
I come from a big Italian family where my mom cooked and baked many delicious meals and desserts from scratch. Now I like to do the same for my family. This cake is my finale to our Italian Christmas Eve dinner. —Cathy Banks, Encinitas, California

Ganache-Topped Chocolate Cake

1 piece: 179 calories, 7g fat, 28g carb
To say this delicious diabetic birthday cake is elegant would be an understatement. It’s worthy of special occasions, but so easy to whip together you can enjoy it any day of the week. Bonus: This cake is so rich, a small slice goes a long way. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Orange Dream Angel Food Cake

1 piece: 130 calories, 0 fat, 28g carb
This diabetic birthday cake can’t get any lower in fat! Basic angel food becomes a heavenly indulgence, thanks to a hint of orange flavor swirled into every bite. The orange color makes slices of the cake look so pretty when arranged on individual dessert plates.—Lauren Osborne, Holtwood, Pennsylvania

Banana Chocolate Cake

1 piece: 169 calories, 6g fat, 25g carb
This light-as-air chocolate birthday cake has a yummy banana flavor. It’s scrumptious as is, but you can also dress it up with nuts or light frostings. —Tina Bellows, Racine, Wisconsin

Pineapple Breeze Torte

1 piece: 243 calories, 7g fat, 39g carb
This lovely torte features ladyfingers, a creamy filling and a crushed pineapple topping. It’s a special treat for my large family and a treat for birthdays. —Barbara Joyner, Franklin, Virginia

Pear Bundt Cake

1 piece: 149 calories, 3g fat, 28g carb
Next time you make cake from a mix, try my easy and delicious diabetic birthday cake recipe. The pears and syrup add sweet flavor and prevent the cake from drying out. And since there’s no oil added to the batter, this tender fall-perfect cake is surprisingly low in fat. —Veronica Ross, Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Makeover Lemon Pound Cake

1 piece: 145 calories, 6g fat, 20g carb
For this lovely diabetic birthday cake, I use fat-free yogurt to trim the calories. It’s a comforting dessert for days when it’s warm enough to dine outside. —Lauren Gilmore, Pennington, New Jersey

Chocolate Macaroon Cupcakes

1 piece: 126 calories, 2g fat, 24g carb
A delightful coconut and ricotta cheese filling is hidden inside these chocolate cupcakes. And replacing oil with applesauce cuts down on the fat and calories. —Dolores Skrout, Summerhill, Pennsylvania

Rosemary & Thyme Lemon Pudding Cakes

1 piece: 165 calories, 7g fat, 23g carb
These simple little cakes are absolutely divine and are perfect with hot tea. Think English tea party! Your guests will love them. (And you’ll love that this recipe has only a few Tablespoons of sugar). — Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado