Creamy 4-Ingredient Lemon Yogurt Cake Recipe (No Added Sugar) | Cakes/Cupcakes | 30Seconds Food (2024)

A creamy three-ingredient yogurt cake recipe caught not only my attention, but thousands of others who visit 30Seconds. The yogurt cake looked amazingly creamy, but light and delicious. That dessert recipe inspired this lemony four-ingredient yogurt cake! This simple cake recipe mixes up in minutes and is a less-sweet dessert to serve after dinner. Delish!

To make this cheesecake-like cake recipe you only need four ingredients. Here is what you need to get from your fridge and pantry so we can get to baking: vanilla yogurt (Greek or regular work), large eggs, a lemon for zesting and cornstarch.

The gluten-free ingredients are mixed together and poured into a 6-inch cake pan (see Recipe Notes). The low-sodium cake bakes for about one hour or until puffy and golden on top. Cool then chill the cake before serving slices with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey. The cake is not too sweet. If you want a sweeter cake, you simply add some granulated sugar to the batter.

Serve this lemon yogurt cake for dessert with a cup of tea or coffee. It would even be delicious for breakfast, brunch or as a snack.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt or regular vanilla yogurt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 5 tablespoonscornstarch
  • 1 lemon, zested

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Recipe Notes

  • This is not a sweet dessert. If you want a sweeter cake add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to the batter before baking.
  • I used vanilla Greek yogurt, but regular yogurt works just as well. Do not get sugar-free yogurt because that's where this cake gets its sweetness.
  • You could add little vanilla extract to the batter for even more flavor.
  • Try other citrus zest like orange, tangerine or grapefruit.
  • I bought a 6-inch cake pan through Amazon (see link below).
  • Store the cake in an airtight container in the fridge.

Here's how to make it:

  1. Spray a 6-inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper, coming up over the sides. Set aside.

  2. Put the yogurt and eggs into a mixing bowl.

  3. Whisk thoroughly to combine.

  4. Sift the cornstarch into the batter.
  5. Grate the lemon zest into the batter.

  6. Whisk to combine.

  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

  8. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for about 1 hour or until cake is puffed up and golden on top.

  9. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool about 30 minutes. The cake will sink as it cools.

  10. Remove the cake from the pan by lifting up on the parchment paper.

  11. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until chilled.
  12. For the creamiest cake, remove from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving. Serve with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey, if desired.

Note: 30Seconds is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program and this post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission or fees if you make a purchase via those links.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 412

Total Fat: 4.2g

Saturated Fat: 1.4g

Cholesterol: 128mg

Sodium: 67mg

Total Carbohydrate: 83.4g

Dietary Fiber: 1.2g

Total Sugars: 4.9g

Protein: 8.1g

Vitamin D: 12mcg

Calcium: 61mg

Iron: 1mg

Potassium: 134mg

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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Creamy 4-Ingredient Lemon Yogurt Cake Recipe (No Added Sugar) | Cakes/Cupcakes | 30Seconds Food (2024)

FAQs

What does yogurt do in a cake? ›

Its creaminess helps keep baked goods moist. Its tanginess imparts a crave-worthy, old-fashioned flavor. Its acidity helps activate baking soda, which can make baked goods fluffy and light. It can step in for sour cream, mayonnaise or crème fraîche, bringin the same tangy with less guilt.

What is a secret ingredient for cakes? ›

To summarize, applesauce is a secret weapon for creating moist and healthier cakes. Its natural sweetness and moisture make it a great substitute for high-fat ingredients like oil or butter. So go ahead, embrace the power of applesauce and elevate your cakes to new levels of deliciousness!

What does yogurt replace in a cake mix? ›

You can use the same amount of plain yogurt to replace oil in any cake mix.

Why do you put yogurt in cake mix? ›

The thick yogurt makes for a “denser, tighter crumb” and makes the case more “luscious,” she says. “That is a unique ability of yogurt.” Its inherent sour tang also nicely mellows out the sweetness of the cake. And yes, it just so happens to be more nutritious than, say, sour cream.

Is yogurt or sour cream better for cake? ›

While sour cream sets the stage for a denser, more traditional cake, the inclusion of Greek yogurt can often lead to a lighter, health-conscious choice with a subtler finish, perfect for those who enjoy a less heavy dessert.

What is the secret to a moist cake? ›

Use Your Ingredients Wisely
  1. Choose Fresh Leavening. ...
  2. Opt For Full-Fat Dairy. ...
  3. Reach For The Right Flour. ...
  4. Don't Double Down. ...
  5. Use Eggs And Butter At Room Temperature. ...
  6. Measure Accurately. ...
  7. Avoid Over Baking.
Apr 5, 2024

What is the main ingredient that makes a cake moist? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water. Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture. Another ingredient that can enhance the moisture of your cake is mayonnaise.

What are the 5 ingredients in cake? ›

These basic ingredients for baking a cake are; flour, eggs, fat (usually butter), sugar, salt, a form of liquid (usually milk), and leavening agents (such as baking soda).

What ingredient makes cake fluffy? ›

Leavening Agents

These are the key ingredients that make a cake rise. There are two types of leavening agents, chemical (baking soda and baking powder) and biological (yeast).

Can I replace sugar with yogurt in baking? ›

Your cake recipe already calls for sugar, so reaching for vanilla Greek yogurt will probably make it sweeter than you're expecting (although it still can be good!). Plain Greek yogurt is the most versatile pick and gives you complete control over the flavor of your baked good.

What does putting sour cream in a cake do? ›

Sour cream helps to tenderize cakes.

The lactic acid in sour cream breaks down the proteins in the flour, making for a softer, more tender cake. This is especially important for chocolate cakes, which are often dry and tough. So, if you find your chocolate cake too dry, try adding some sour cream to the recipe!

What does adding mayonnaise to cake mix do? ›

All this means that adding mayonnaise to the cake batter boosts the moisture of the final product—and leaves none of its characteristic taste. Testing showed that using oil or butter instead of mayo made for a drier cake, but keeping the eggs in addition to the mayonnaise improved richness and springiness.

What does yogurt replace in baking? ›

Substitute Greek Yogurt for Higher-Fat Ingredients

From traditional comfort foods to fresh baked goods, Greek yogurt can substitute oil and mayonnaise. Oil: Replace oil with Greek yogurt when baking muffins, cakes and even waffles.

Can I skip yogurt in cake? ›

The take-away: In a pinch, substitute buttermilk, or milk that has been spiked with a little lemon juice or vinegar (aka homemade buttermilk) and use 1/4 less milk than the amount of yogurt called for in the recipe.

How does yogurt affect baked goods? ›

Using yogurt in your baked goods will make them incredibly moist, while adding yogurt to savory dips and soups gives them creaminess with a touch of tang.

Can yogurt replace butter in a cake recipe? ›

If the recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, you can replace it with 1 cup of yogurt. However, yogurt tends to increase the moisture content in a recipe, and as such, bakers suggest only using yogurt in place of recipes that call for 1 cup or less of butter.

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