Healthy Lemon Cake

4.75 from 4 votes

This Starbucks copycat Healthy Lemon Cake is soft, moist, and with a sweet zesty flavor. Made with no refined sugar, no oil and no butter, this Greek yogurt lemon loaf is packed with protein for a delicious breakfast or dessert.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Gluten-free, High Protein, Low calorie

Keyword: eggs, Greek yogurt, protein powder

Servings: servings

Ingredients

¾ cup (170 g) Greek yogurt 5% fat or higher recommended
1 large egg
½ cup (50 g) oat flour or almond flour
¼ cup (25 g) cornstarch
¼ cup (25 g) protein powder vanilla whey (replace with more oat flour)
1 tsp baking powder
3 to 4 tbsp (60 g) maple syrup or honey
3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice from ½ lemon
1 tsp vanilla extract

Healthy Frosting

¼ cup (60 g) Greek yogurt
2 tbsp cream cheese low fat or full fat
1 to 2 tbsp maple syrup to taste
½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 6-inch (15 cm) baking pan with parchment paper or grease it with oil.
In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, egg, maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Sift oat flour, cornstarch, protein powder, and baking powder into the wet mixture. Gently fold until just combined — don't overmix.
Pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is lightly golden, the center is set, and a toothpick comes out mostly clean (with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter).
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Healthy Frosting

Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix until combined, adjusting sweetness to taste.
Using a spatula or spoon, gently spread the frosting on top of the lemon loaf, once it has cooled.

Notes

Storage directions

To store. After frosting, keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen as it chills, so it tastes even better the next day.
To freeze. For a longer storage you can also freeze it, preferably before adding the icing. To freeze, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm it up in the oven.

Nutritional values

Nutritional facts include the Greek yogurt frosting (made with fat-reduced cream cheese).
Nutritional values are approximations calculated by third-parties and they may vary based on precise ingredients you use. For precise nutrition facts, please calculate your own.

Nutrition