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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Vanilla Layer Cake with Strawberry Chia Filling and Buttercream Frosting {Healthy, Egg Free & Dairy Free}

    Published: Jun 11, 2015 · Modified: Apr 3, 2022 by Lauren Kelly · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Now you can have your cake and eat it too (guilt-free!)  This vanilla layer cake with strawberry chia filling is not only healthier, but it's incredibly scrumptious too!

    Vanilla Layer Cake with Strawberry Chia Filling and Buttercream Frosting on a white cake plate with strawberries on top.

    Disclaimer: I was compensated by Nektar Naturals to create this recipe. However, like always, the opinions are entirely my own. Promise 🙂

    You know what I despise?  "Healthy" desserts that are supposed to taste good.  And then they taste like cardboard.

    Now I know that I can actually make a healthy cake tastes crazy delicious.  And this cake is proof of just that.

    I am always on the hunt for new, unrefined sugars.  Don't get me wrong, I love cooking and baking with honey, but boy was I was excited to find Nektar Honey Crystals.  They are are 100% all natural granulated honey with all the benefits of traditional honey, witout the sticky mess. Intrigued?  Me too!

    Vanilla Layer Cake with Strawberry Chia Filling and Buttercream Frosting made with Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals (no eggs, no butter) from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

    Not only are these Nektar Honey Crystals AMAZING in baked goods (such as this fabulous cake) but I have also added to my green tea, iced green tea, and even in my oatmeal.  And I love the fact that Nektar Honey Crystals are 100% natural, GMO-free, naturally gluten-free, Kosher Pareve and made in the U.S.A.  What's not to like?

    Now back to this gorgeous cake!

    Can you believe that this cake contains no eggs or butter?  I know, I know, I said buttercream frosting, but it actually has no butter in it!  And it still tastes fantastic.  Have I mentioned my weakness for buttercream?

    Close up of Vanilla Layer Cake with Strawberry Chia Filling and Buttercream Frosting on a white cake plate with strawberries on top.

    The strawberry chia filling is delicious, don't be scared of the chia seeds! They are packed with healthy omega-3-fatty acids and protein and add a nice little texture.  But IF you are unsure about the strawberry filling, go ahead and double the buttercream and spread a layer in between the cakes.  Don't knock it until you try it though.

    A slice of Vanilla Layer Cake with Strawberry Chia Filling and Buttercream Frosting o a white plate.

    This vanilla cake is a little darker than your typical vanilla cake because of the whole wheat flour and light brown honey crystals.  The taste is out of this world and yes, ALL of my kids liked it too!  That's huge.

    Vanilla Layer Cake with Strawberry Chia Filling and Buttercream Frosting made with Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals (no eggs, no butter) from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

    Vanilla Layer Cake with Buttercream Frosting

    Vanilla Layer Cake with Strawberry Chia Filling and Buttercream Frosting made without eggs or butter!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert, treat, vegetarian
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 279kcal
    Author: Lauren Kelly

    Ingredients

    • Cake:
    • 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
    • â…” cup Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 3 very ripe bananas mashed
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 cup vanilla almond milk
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla
    • Strawberry Chia Filling:
    • 1 cup strawberries
    • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
    • Frosting:
    • ¼ cup coconut oil
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • strawberries for topping

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 round cake pans with cooking spray or grease with coconut oil.
    • Prepare strawberry chia filling. Place strawberries and chia seeds in a blender and blend until smooth. Place in the refrigerator for at least an hour to set.
    • In a medium bowl, mix together flour, Nektar Naturals Honey Crystals, baking soda and salt. Mix well.
    • In a separate bowl, mix together bananas, vanilla, lemon, almond milk and vanilla.
    • Add banana mixture to flour mixture until combined.
    • Pour into greased pans and place into preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes until thoroughly cooked or until a toothpick placed in the middle comes out clean.
    • Prepare frosting by placing coconut oil, powdered sugar and vanilla in medium size bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium-low for about 5 minutes until creamy. Set aside.
    • Allow cake to cool for at least 10 minutes.
    • Remove one cake from pan and turn upside down.
    • Spread strawberry mixture on the the top of that cake.
    • Place second cake on top of the strawberry mixture.
    • Frost with prepared frosting and top with strawberries if desired.

    Notes

    To store in the refrigerator: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    To store in the freezer: Place in airtight container in the freezer for up to to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 261mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lkellynutrition or tag #lkellynutrition!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. GiGi Eats

      June 24, 2015 at 7:58 pm

      5 stars
      I am coming over later today, have a slice ready for me!! 😀

      Reply
    2. Amanda @ The Kitcheneer

      June 23, 2015 at 9:30 pm

      That strawberry chia filling sounds amazing Lauren! And I can totally dig that natural sweetener!

      Reply
    3. Angie | Big Bear's Wife

      June 16, 2015 at 1:46 pm

      That filling is so awesome! I just can't get over it! It's perfect with this cake!

      Reply
    4. Colleen (Souffle Bombay)

      June 15, 2015 at 1:52 pm

      What a pretty summery cake! Gimmie a big ol' slice!

      Reply
    5. [email protected] Mom

      June 15, 2015 at 5:24 pm

      The cake looks amazing Lauren! I've never seen honey crystals before, how cool!

      Reply
    6. Cookin+Canuck

      June 15, 2015 at 1:17 pm

      I am totally intrigued by those honey crystals. I've never seen them before, but will definitely be on the lookout for them! What a wonderful (and healthier...yay!) cake for summertime.

      Reply
    7. Martha @ A Family Feast

      June 14, 2015 at 1:38 pm

      I'm so excited to see those packets of granulated honey! I've only seen it sold in bulk and have needed it in a recipe - but didn't want to buy such a huge container! (And that cake looks delicious too!)

      Reply
    8. Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog

      June 13, 2015 at 3:23 am

      That strawberry chia filling sounds awesome! And I'm totally intrigued by those honey crystals!

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        June 13, 2015 at 10:34 am

        The honey crystals are amazing Sharon, you need to try them!

        Reply
    9. tanya

      June 13, 2015 at 1:24 am

      I have never heard of Nektar, but I think you just made me a believer! And that buttercream is fabulous!

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        June 13, 2015 at 10:35 am

        You need to try them Tanya! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Lana | Never Enough Thyme

      June 12, 2015 at 11:20 pm

      Those honey crystals are really interesting. I'm definitely looking for them on my next shopping trip.

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        June 13, 2015 at 10:35 am

        Or you can buy them online Lana! 🙂

        Reply
    11. The Food Hunter

      June 12, 2015 at 4:19 pm

      The filling on this cake sounds amazing.

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        June 13, 2015 at 10:36 am

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    12. Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic

      June 12, 2015 at 7:27 pm

      I'm totally crushing on that strawberry chia filling! I bet that it would be great in just about anything.

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        June 13, 2015 at 10:36 am

        Oh trust me Kristen, I have used it in so many things! Thank you!

        Reply
    13. Paula - bell'alimento

      June 12, 2015 at 6:35 pm

      I'm diggin the filling! Currently craving all things strawberry so this is perfect.

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        June 13, 2015 at 10:36 am

        YEs Paula! Everything strawberry now!

        Reply
    14. Catherine

      June 12, 2015 at 10:52 am

      Dear Lauren, what a beautiful cake! I love that it is almost guilt-free too..I need to find those honey crystals next time I go shopping. Pinned for later. xo, Catherine

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        June 13, 2015 at 10:37 am

        Thank you Catherine!

        Reply

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