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This stunning Greek Yogurt Cake topped with apples and cinnamon is moist and flavorful, while also being more nutritious than a standard cake. This easy to make dessert is gluten-free, light on calories, and free of refined sugars.

Slices of Greek yogurt cake on a plate.
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Enjoy this healthier cake recipe made lighter with Greek yogurt as a source of protein, and naturally derived sugars from apples and monkfruit. It’s lower in calories so you can appease your sweet tooth and feel satisfied. I love serving it for a healthier holiday dessert!

If you like baking with Greek yogurt, you will love my Greek yogurt bagels and blueberry and lemon yogurt breakfast cookies!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Rich and Moist Cake: The yogurt and olive oil in this Greek yogurt cake create a spongy cake that is full of flavor. It tastes decadent without being high in calories.
  • Nutritionally Balanced: Unlike many other desserts, this yogurt cake balances the macronutrients to make a cake that is sweet, delicious, and nutritious. There are 7 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber in every slice and less than 300 calories. That’s amazing for a dessert! 
  • Versatile Base: While this recipe calls for apples, it’s easy to add in other fruits and berries to make different flavors while still keeping the nutritional benefits.

Ingredients

Ingredients for making Greek yogurt cake in bowls.
  • Gluten-Free Flour: A standard 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or a gluten-free oat flour makes the best option for this light cake. 
  • Nonfat Greek Yogurt: Use your favorite brand of nonfat Greek yogurt to add tangy flavor, moisture, and protein to your cake. 
  • Eggs: The eggs will help the cake rise to a fluffy texture. They’re also a great source of protein in the batter. 
  • Olive Oil: The oil adds moisture and makes the cake tender. You can use olive oil in baked goods that bake at 350°F or less. Avocado oil also works well in this recipe.
  • Monkfruit: This naturally derived sweetener has zero calories, which means it won’t add calories to your cake.
  • Apples: Peel and slice your favorite red apples to add to the top of the cake. They add sweetness, flavor, and are a great source of fiber.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations & Dietary Modifications

  • Lemon Glaze on Top: Add a bit of lemon jam to the top of the cake to give it a tart flavor and a shiny glazed finish. 
  • Swap Out the Fruit: This Greek yogurt cake recipe is extremely versatile. Use the base recipe for the cake and swap the apples for other fruits like pears or peaches. Berries, like blueberries and cranberries, also taste excellent in this cake. 
  • Make It Chocolate: Use chocolate Greek yogurt, cocoa, and chocolate chips to make a delicious chocolatey yogurt cake. You could also make a chocolate banana bread with yogurt. 

How to Make Greek Yogurt Cake

This easy yogurt cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion. It’s moist, easy to customize the flavor, and delicious! All you need to make it is a parchment paper-lined, greased round baking pan and an oven preheated to 350°F.

Sliced apples in a bowl.

Step 1: Prepare the Apples. Peel, core, and slice your apples into ½” slices before you start baking. Add them to a bowl with cinnamon and a bit of lemon juice to keep them from browning, then set them aside.

Wet ingredients for making Greek yogurt cake in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil, Greek yogurt, and lemon zest. 

Dry ingredients for making Greek yogurt cake in a mixing bowl.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients. Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.

Batter for making Greek yogurt cake mixed together in a bowl.

Step 4: Combine the Ingredients. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until they are just combined. Then stir a few apple slices into the batter. 

Apple slices layered in a round baking pan.

Step 5: Layer the Apples. Pour the batter into your prepared 9-inch springform pan and smooth it into an even layer. Arrange the apples over the top of the batter in a circular pattern, layered over one another. 

Baked Greek yogurt cake on a cake stand.

Step 6: Bake Until Cooked Through. Bake your Greek yogurt cake for 35-40 minutes at 350°F until a toothpick can be inserted and removed clean from the center. Remove from the oven and let the cake cool for 20-30 minutes before slicing.

Expert Tips

  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Let the yogurt and eggs reach room temperature before mixing them for the batter. They are less likely to clump when they aren’t cold. 
  • Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix the batter until just combined to avoid overmixing. An overmixed batter results in a dense and gummy cake. 
  • Let It Cool Completely: Let the cake cool completely before slicing it. If the cake is too warm, the slices will crumble and break apart instead of holding their shape. 
  • Storing: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also wrap pieces in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for 30 days. Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator for 24 hours before enjoying it. 
A slice of Greek yogurt cake on a plate.

Serving Suggestions

Not only is this cake beautiful to look at, it also tastes delicious and is simple and versatile that you can add to it without sacrificing flavor or texture. It is a healthy dessert recipe to serve or take to a dinner party or the holidays. Everyone will love the simple flavor and moistness of this healthy cake recipe!

  • This yogurt cake would make an excellent dessert for a Mediterranean or lighter Italian-style dinner. Greek chicken bowls or my one-pan chicken and gnocchi are both great meals that match the flavor profile. 
  • Top your cake with a dollop of whipped cream or serve it with an easy fruit salad to make it a little sweeter. 
  • If you’re taking this cake to a party that’s focused on desserts and hor d’ouevres instead of a full dinner, consider serving a healthy French onion dip with it. Both dishes can be made with the same Greek yogurt.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different kind of flour?

I haven’t tested this recipe with almond flour, though that would probably work. Coconut flour will not work for this recipe because it absorbs too much moisture.

The top of my cake is cooked, but the center is still undercooked. How do I fix this?

There is a lot of moisture in this cake, and oven temperatures can vary. If you find that the outside of your cake is cooked, but not the inside, tent foil over the top of the cake and continue to cook until the center is done. This will prevent the top from browning and trap some of the moisture to steam the inside of the cake. 

Can I reheat Greek yogurt cake to serve it warm?

No, I don’t recommend heating leftovers. I like to remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the cake time to warm up and soften a bit before eating.

Can I make Greek yogurt cake ahead of time?

Sure, you can absolutely make this cake with Greek yogurt the day before a party or event and keep it in the refrigerator until 10 minutes before you’re ready to serve it.

Slices of Greek yogurt cake on a plate.

More Delicious Desserts with Yogurt

If you tried this Greek Yogurt Cake recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.

Slices of Greek yogurt cake on a plate.
5 from 2 votes
Servings: 8 slices

Greek Yogurt Cake

Create a simple and versatile dessert using this Greek yogurt cake recipe. It’s moist and flavorful, while also being nutritionally balanced and low-effort to make.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Cool Time: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F.
  • Peel, core and slice the apples into 1/2" slices. Place in a bowl, add 1/2 tsp of the cinnamon on top and squeeze the lemon juice over them. Set aside.
  • Place parchment paper in a round baking dish (mine was 9-inches) and spray the sides with cooking spray. 
  • Mix the eggs, sugar, oil, yogurt and lemon zest together in a mixing bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, mix the flour, remaining cinnamon, baking powder and salt until combined.
  • Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until combined then fold in 10 apple slices to the batter. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer. Arrange the apples on top in a circular pattern, layering them on top of each other.
  • Bake at 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted clean from the center.
  • Remove from the oven and cool 20-30 minutes. Optionally add lemon jam on top for a fun glaze.

Notes

  • Use room temperature yogurt and eggs to ensure a smooth batter without any clumps.  
  • Don’t overwork the batter or your cake will turn out dense. Mix the batter until it is just combined to keep the large air pockets in the cake.
  • Let the cake cool completely before slicing it so it doesn’t crumble apart when you serve it.
  • Store the yogurt cake in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 5 days or in the freezer up to 30 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 263kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 42mg, Sodium: 100mg, Potassium: 270mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 114IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 111mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Megan

Megan is a nutritionist who coaches women 35+ lose weight sustainably. She is the author of the Low Calorie Cookbook, fitness instructor, host of the Dish On Ditching Diets Podcast and creator of Skinny Fitalicious where you get lighter, higher protein recipes. Follow Megan on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram for the latest updates.

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5 Comments

  1. Katherine Evans says:

    What is Monk fruit ? And what can you use in place of it ? Am in Uk

    Thanks

    1. Megan says:

      You can click the link I have to see what Monkfruit looks like or Google what Monkfruit is. Any zero calorie sweetener will work such as stevia.

  2. Debra says:

    Could this be adapted to use other fruits instead of apples…..I was thinking maybe pears or maybe peaches??

    1. Megan says:

      I’m sure you could. Pears or berries would be good alternatives I would try.

  3. Miriam Akkineni says:

    This was so good. Made it for my mother’s birthday on a whim and added fresh berries on top and served it with whipped topping. It was good!