I’ll add an image of the finished product when I actually make it again. The title’s just a reminder to me. Recipe below.

My classic birthday cake choice is strawberry, but I’d like to not actively kill myself with a decadent option. This one has the flavor, a mousse-cake-ish texture, and is definitely moist. I like it.

Ingredients

• 1.875 cups cake flour [750 calories]
• 2.5 teaspoons baking powder [5 calories]
• 1 teaspoon salt [0 calories, 2325mg sodium]
• 1 cup sugar substitute [0 calories]
• 0.625 cups sweetened applesauce [75 calories]
• 3 ounces sugar-free strawberry jello mix [15 calories]
• 0.5 cup 2% milk [61 calories]
• 1 cup strawberry puree (fresh or frozen) [~80 calories]
• For Frosting:
• 0.88 cup Neufchatel cheese [600 calories]
• 0.75 cup greek yogurt [80 calories]
• 0.5 teaspoon sugar substitute [0 calories]
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract [20 calories]

Final calorie count: 1998 calories

If thinner frosting is desired, add small amounts of milk and mix well between each addition until you reach your desired thickness. Keep in mind if you add a lot of milk, you may need to add more sugar and vanilla extract to maintain the flavor.

Baking Steps

1. Preheat oven to 325F
2. Add all non-frosting ingredients to a medium mixing bowl, then mix on low speed until blended
3. Increase mixer speed to medium and mix for an additional 2 minutes
4. Grease, then lightly flour 2 9-inch cake pans, then add cake batter to each pan evenly
5. Bake for 29 minutes, or until the top of the cake bounces back when lightly pressed
6. Allow cakes to cool for 10 minutes, remove from pan to cool completely
7. In a small mixing bowl, add all frosting ingredients and mix until smooth
8. Spread frosting on top of one cake layer, then lay the second cake layer atop the first
9. Spread the remaining frosting on the completed cake
10. (Optional) Add fresh strawberries in a design on and around the cake