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Craving Dessert Without the Guilt? Meet Your New Go-To Recipe
When you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to compromise on health, ingredients, or your precious time, this 3 ingredient Greek yogurt cake recipe is your answer. At Balanced Treats, we believe dessert should nourish your body while satisfying your sweet tooth—and this impossibly simple cake does exactly that.
With just yogurt, eggs, and cornstarch, you’ll create a soft, creamy cake with a delightfully tangy flavor that’s naturally low in sugar and surprisingly satisfying. No flour, no refined sugar, and no complicated techniques required. This is the easy yogurt cake recipe that proves healthy baking doesn’t have to be hard.
Why This is a Perfect Balanced Treat
This 3 ingredient Greek yogurt cake recipe checks all four pillars of what makes a truly balanced dessert:
- Healthy: Packed with protein from Greek yogurt and eggs, naturally gluten-free, and containing just 2g of sugar per slice when made with plain yogurt. The probiotics in yogurt support gut health while keeping your dessert genuinely nutritious.
- Quick: From mixing bowl to oven in under 5 minutes, with a total time of just one hour. No chilling, no complicated steps, no special equipment—just whisk, pour, and bake.
- Affordable: Using three basic ingredients you likely already have in your fridge, this cake costs under $5 to make and feeds 8 people. That’s less than $0.65 per serving for a homemade, healthy dessert.
- Delicious: The creamy, custard-like texture combined with yogurt’s natural tang creates a sophisticated flavor that’s equally perfect for breakfast, snack time, or an elegant dessert topped with fresh berries.
The Secret Behind This Simple Cake: Cornstarch Magic
You might be wondering how to make yogurt cake without any flour. The answer lies in cornstarch—a naturally gluten-free ingredient that provides just enough structure to hold the cake together while keeping the texture incredibly soft and tender.
Unlike traditional cakes that rely on wheat flour for structure, this recipe uses the protein in eggs and yogurt to create a cake that’s more like a light, set custard. The cornstarch acts as a gentle binding agent, preventing the cake from being too dense while maintaining that signature creamy texture. According to Harvard’s Nutrition Source, Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and probiotics, making it a nutritional powerhouse in baked goods.
Pro tip: Using full-fat Greek yogurt creates the richest texture, but 2% or low-fat versions work beautifully too. The key is choosing a thick, strained yogurt rather than regular yogurt, which can make the cake too liquid.
More Simple 3-Ingredient Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re loving the simplicity of this 3 ingredient Greek yogurt cake recipe, you’ll want to try our Easy 3-Ingredient Brownies (Vegan)—another proof that incredible desserts don’t need complicated ingredient lists. These fudgy brownies use just bananas, cocoa powder, and nut butter for a rich, chocolatey treat that’s completely plant-based. It’s the perfect companion recipe when you’re in the mood for chocolate instead of tangy yogurt!
How to Make This 3 Ingredient Greek Yogurt Cake
The beauty of this easy yogurt cake recipe is in its simplicity. Here’s how it comes together:
Start with your base: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1.5 cups of Greek yogurt with 4 eggs. Use a whisk to blend them together until completely smooth—this takes about 30 seconds of whisking. The eggs provide structure and richness, while the yogurt contributes that signature tang and creamy texture.
Add your structure: Sprinkle in 5 tablespoons of cornstarch along with a teaspoon of vanilla extract if you’d like an extra layer of flavor. Whisk vigorously for another 30 seconds until there are absolutely no lumps remaining. The batter should be smooth, pourable, and slightly thicker than pancake batter.
Bake to perfection: Pour your batter into a parchment-lined loaf pan (this makes cleanup effortless) and slide it into a preheated 350°F oven. After 50-60 minutes, you’ll have a beautifully golden cake with a slightly domed top. The toothpick test is crucial here—insert one into the center, and it should come out clean with perhaps just a few moist crumbs.
The waiting game: This is the hardest part! Let your cake cool completely in the pan before slicing. As it cools, it sets further and becomes easier to slice cleanly. Trust me, the wait is worth it.
The result? A cake that’s tender, moist, and subtly sweet with a protein boost that makes it perfect for breakfast or a post-workout treat. Top it with fresh berries, a drizzle of honey, or enjoy it plain—each slice is only 80 calories of pure satisfaction.
3 Ingredient Greek Yogurt Cake
Description
An incredibly easy, gluten-free cake made with just Greek yogurt, eggs, and cornstarch. Soft, creamy, and naturally low in sugar.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and eggs until completely smooth and well combined, about 30-45 seconds.
- Add the cornstarch and vanilla extract (if using) to the yogurt mixture. Whisk vigorously for another 30 seconds until no lumps remain and the batter is silky smooth.
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before lifting it out using the parchment paper overhang.
- Slice into 8 pieces and serve plain or topped with fresh berries, honey, maple syrup, or a dollop of additional Greek yogurt.
Notes
- Yogurt options: Vanilla or flavored yogurt makes the cake sweeter. For a traditional sweet cake, add ¼ cup (50g) of sugar or honey to plain yogurt before mixing.
- Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cake actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together.
- Variations: Try adding lemon zest, cinnamon, or cocoa powder (2 tablespoons) for flavor variations. You can also fold in fresh blueberries or chocolate chips before baking.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Serving Size 1 slice (⅛ of cake)
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 80kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4g7%
- Saturated Fat 2g10%
- Cholesterol 88mg30%
- Sodium 53mg3%
- Total Carbohydrate 7g3%
- Sugars 2g
- Protein 4g8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Your New Everyday Cake is Here
This 3 ingredient Greek yogurt cake recipe proves that healthy desserts don’t require a long ingredient list or hours in the kitchen. With its naturally gluten-free profile, high protein content, and impossibly simple preparation, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll make over and over again—for busy weekday breakfasts, afternoon snacks, or when unexpected guests arrive.
The beauty of this cake is its versatility. Dress it up with elegant berry compote for a dinner party, or keep it simple with a drizzle of honey for your morning coffee companion. Either way, you’re getting a dessert that honors your body while satisfying your cravings.
Ready to experience just how good simple can taste?
