How Many Calories in a Slice of Cake

Calorie content by cake type

• Standard birthday cake:

  • 300-400 calories per typical slice
  • Depends on size and ingredients
  • Contains 50-60g carbohydrates and 10-20g fat per slice

• Red velvet cake:

  • 640 calories in a slice of cake (5.9 oz, Marketside brand)
  • 727 calories per piece of cake (Heb brand with cream cheese icing)

• Vanilla cake:

  • 280 calories per slice
  • Includes 40g carbs, 13g fat, and 3g protein

• Marketside Cake By The Slice:

  • 650 calories per 6.7 oz slice
  • Contains 35g fat, 76g carbohydrates, and 7g protein

Factors affecting cake slice calorie count

• Slice size:

  • A standard slice is typically 1/8 of a 9-inch round cake
  • Larger or thicker slices significantly increase how many calories are in a slice of cake

• Cake type:

  • Denser cakes (chocolate, carrot) tend to have higher calorie content
  • Lighter cakes (sponge, angel food) generally have fewer calories per piece of cake

• Ingredients:

  • Cakes with more butter, oil, or sugar are more calorie-dense
  • Frosting and icing add significant calories to a slice of cake

• Brand variations:

  • Different brands may have varying calorie counts for similar cake types

Calorie content of frosting and icing

• Buttercream or cream cheese frosting:

  • Can add 100-200 calories to a slice of cake

• Fondant icing:

  • 100-120 calories per 2-tablespoon (30g) serving

• Whipped cream icing:

  • 80-100 calories per 2-tablespoon (30g) serving

Considerations for accuracy in cake slice calorie count

• Label inaccuracies:

  • FDA allows up to 20% difference between label and actual calorie content
  • Prepackaged meals tend to have about 8% more calories than listed

• Packaging pictures:

  • Can lead to overestimation of serving size and how many calories are in a slice of cake
  • Cake mix packaging often shows 134% more calories than recommended serving size

• Nutritional variations:

  • Natural ingredients can vary in nutritional content due to factors like soil, farming practices, and season

FAQ

How many calories are in a typical slice of cake?

A typical slice of cake contains between 300 to 650 calories. Standard birthday cake slices usually have 300-400 calories, while richer cakes like red velvet can have up to 640-727 calories per slice.

What factors affect the cake slice calorie count?

The main factors affecting cake slice calorie count are slice size, cake type, ingredients, and brand variations. Larger slices, denser cakes, and those with more butter, oil, or sugar tend to have higher calorie content.

How many calories does frosting add to a slice of cake?

Frosting can significantly increase the calories per piece of cake. Buttercream or cream cheese frosting can add 100-200 calories to a slice, while fondant icing adds about 100-120 calories per 2-tablespoon serving.

Are the calorie counts on cake packaging accurate?

Calorie counts on cake packaging may not always be accurate. The FDA allows up to a 20% difference between the label and actual calorie content. Additionally, packaging pictures can lead to overestimation of serving size and calories.

How can I reduce the cake slice calorie count?

To reduce the calorie count in a slice of cake, choose lighter cake types like sponge or angel food, opt for smaller slice sizes, use less frosting or choose a lighter icing option like whipped cream, and be mindful of portion sizes when serving.