Whole Wheat Cake Recipe
This whole wheat cake is perfect for special occasions such as birthdays, graduations or other celebrations.
I’ve been trying to find a way to make a good birthday cake for a long time. I’ve tried many recipes and I’ve had to throw several of them right into the trash.
But I finally did it!
I should warn you, this cake is addictive. But if it’s your birthday, at least eating a lot of cake won’t be so bad if the cake you’re eating is clean!
I’m still trying to develop a good frosting recipe. That white frosting that makes any cake look like a birthday celebration. You know what I’m talking about… that stuff you can’t help but dip your finger into a few times while decorating the cake. Ya, that one. I need a clean version of that. And I’ll get it! Yes I will!
But in the mean time, I don’t want to leave you high and dry either. So if you don’t mind putting some chocolate pumpkin frosting on your cake, you can try the frosting I did for my Halloween cupcakes. It’s yummy stuff! A second option would be to try my Homemade Nutella, and lastly, here is a Nut Butter Frosting.
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HEALTHY CAKE RECIPES:
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Cake
- Instant Pot Chocolate Cake
- Cranberry Upside Down Cake
- Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Crazy Cake
WHOLE WHEAT CAKE RECIPE
Whole Wheat Cake
Equipment
- 9 inch cake pan (2 pans if you want a layered cake)
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (affiliate link)
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 tbsp. grapeseed oil (or any light flavored oil)
- ¾ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 9 inch cake pan with parchment paper. Then spray the inside of the pan, including the parchment with a light coat of oil from an oil sprayer.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder until well combined.
- Whisk in all other ingredients.
- Pour batter in to cake pan and bake for 26-30 minutes. A knife or cake tester should pull our clean.
- Allow to cool. Run a plastic knife around the edge to separate cake from pan and then remove.
- If you made a second layer, cover one cake with filling or frosting and place the second cake on top.
Gosh, I’m not sure. I’ve never tried that with this recipe. I would say check them after 15 minutes, and then every 3 minutes after that.
Can you use coconut flour instead?
No. You’d have to reformulate the entire recipe. Coconut flour is very different.
Can I use the whole egg? I hate separating egg whites! Thanks!
Sure. I use 1 whole egg for every 2 egg whites.
Hi there! I’d like to make this cake but chocolate flavoured! Would you recommend maybe adding raw cacao powder? If so then how much?
I would say about a 1/2 cup. Just watch the liquid content as cocoa powder tends to really soak up the liquids. Make the batch first and THEN add the cocoa powder just so you can monitor the change in consistency.
Have you tried the “Marshmallow Frosting” for this? It’s basically a simple syrup beaten into egg whites. I don’t see why you couldn’t use maple syrup in place of the sugar syrup.
http://veronicahurly.blogspot.com/2010/09/marshmallow-frosting.html
No, but thanks for sharing!
Can I use agave instead of honey? I’m thinking of using this for my sons first birthday but I know honey is a no no until 2.
Brittany – Agave isn’t clean, but yes, you can use it in equal amounts.
In reference to one of the comments regarding Agave. Agave is actually “clean.” I have been following a no to low sugar, very clean diet for years. Agave is a sugar but it is not process or refined and keeps you body’s blood sugars at an even level. It is a viable choice and good substitution for honey.
Sherry – Have you read this? http://www.foodrenegade.com/agave-nectar-good-or-bad/
Can anyone tell me how best to make this a chocolate cake? My guess is coco powder but wouldn’t be sure how much to use….want to layer the eat clean Nutella in between and the nut frosting on top to make a chocolate extravaganza!!
Emma – Depends on how chocolatey you want it to be. If you just want color and a mild chocolate flavor, you can simply add 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder. But if you want more than that, I would reduce the flour as you add cocoa powder.
I’m trying this today with cupcakes and mini cupcakes. I used melted coconut oil in place of the safflower and it solidified in little chunks by the time it went into the oven so I’m really hoping it still turns out… 😛 I’m guessing it’ll melt pretty quick and hopefully incorporate a bit before it bakes.
Melissa – Let me know how they turn out!
I just made this today. It’s only about an inch thick (and I saw a note about that in one of the comments). I doubled the recipe to make 2 tiers. I thought I did something wrong, but I guess it’s supposed to be an inch thick? Haven’t tasted yet, but reviews can get one excited!
Robin – Ya, it’s not a very tall cake. 1 inch is about right, give or take. I think mine may have come out a tad bit taller, but that could be just basic differences in ingredients or ovens.
The cupcakes were great! They were a little more dense than a traditional cake, but definitely worth it to avoid refined sugar! They tasted like honey. I used a whipped cream frosting (also made with a bit of honey) and topped them with fresh berries. Mmmm…
Melissa – Fantastic!!! So glad you enjoyed them! 😀
How dense is this cake. My sister is going to decorate with fondant (not clean, I know) but she says the cake needs to be kind of dense to do more than one layer.
Britnee – It should hold up fine. It’s not terribly dense, but it will stand up.
Tofutti cream cheese is supposed to be a good frosting replacement to use.
Maddie – Is it clean?
hey! possible to replace the eggwhites with something else?
Nav – To get rid of them completely or because you don’t want to throw out the yolk?
to get rid of them completely? anything you can substitute them with?
Nav – You could try unsweetened apple sauce, but I’m not sure you’d get the same result.
What extract do you use? Most of the natural extracts I find have Propylene glycol in them…is that considered clean? I’d like to try it with a caramel extract…
Amanda – Most health food stores will have extracts without that. I get mine at whole foods or a local health food store.
Suggestions for replacing the honey? I would like to make this for my baby’s 1st b-day but I know she’s not supposed to eat honey yet…
Alaina – I would try maple syrup. It may not taste quite as sweet, but for a 1 year old, that’s not a big deal. They have overly sensitive taste buds anyway. 🙂
Hello! Thank you very much for this wonderful blog. I never use soda or baking powder, so I wonder if I can do without either of those in this recipe; will the cake bake well? I also tend not to use vinegar substituting it with lemon juice.
I will be grateful for your reply!
Thank you!
Alla – No, the cake would not turn out the same without soda or powder. It would not rise very well. The vinegar/lemon juice is up to you. 🙂