Cake or cupcake, chocolate with white icing, bakery
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A decadent bakery treat, this chocolate cake or cupcake is crowned with a thick, sweet layer of white icing, creating a rich contrast of moist, cocoa-infused crumb and creamy, sugary frosting. Nutritionally, it's a high-energy indulgence, delivering a significant carbohydrate and sugar load from both the cake and the icing, with a modest protein and fat content to round it out.
Calorie split: 3% protein · 60% carbs · 36% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the classic, indulgent combination of deep chocolate flavor and sweet, creamy frosting, often evoking nostalgia and celebration. Its versatility makes it a staple for birthdays, office parties, and personal treats, fitting seamlessly into various social and cultural contexts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (over 40g per 100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it unsuitable for those managing diabetes or insulin resistance. To mitigate this, pair a small portion with a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts or Greek yogurt) to slow sugar absorption, and practice strict portion control. Additionally, it is a common source of gluten and dairy allergens.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates and sugars
- Can serve as a mood-boosting comfort food or celebratory centerpiece
- Offers a small amount of fat for satiety and flavor
- Convenient, portion-controlled bakery item
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The white icing on a chocolate cake is often buttercream or cream cheese frosting, which was popularized in the 19th century as baking powder and refined sugar became widely available, transforming cake from a dense, bread-like food into the light, frosted confections we know today.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 26.6 g |
| Energy | 355 kcal |
| Protein | 2.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 14.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 54.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 40.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 67.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 130 mg |
| Potassium, K | 80.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 296 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.41 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.12 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 4.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.06 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.24 mg |
| Niacin | 0.72 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 23.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 11.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 12.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 31.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 30.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.11 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 19.0 ug |
| Retinol | 19.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 54.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 11.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 6.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 51.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.68 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.0 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 5.1 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.63 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 43.0 mg |
FAQ
Is chocolate cake with white icing healthy?
It is primarily a treat, high in sugar and calories, and should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Can I eat this if I'm gluten-free?
Traditional bakery versions contain wheat flour, but gluten-free alternatives using almond or coconut flour are increasingly common.
How does the sugar content affect energy levels?
The high sugar can cause a quick energy spike followed by a crash, which is why pairing it with protein or fat is recommended.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.55 kcal/g · 3% calories from protein · 1.2 g fiber · 40.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.70 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.