Cake or cupcake, white with chocolate icing, from mix
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic white cake or cupcake with chocolate icing, made from a box mix, offers a soft, fluffy crumb and a sweet, creamy frosting. It is a high-calorie treat, with most of its energy coming from carbohydrates and sugar, providing a quick energy boost. This dessert is a staple at celebrations, known for its comforting, nostalgic flavor.
Calorie split: 3% protein · 59% carbs · 38% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its sweet, familiar taste and soft texture, which evokes nostalgic feelings of childhood parties and family events. Its versatility makes it a go-to for birthdays, potlucks, and casual treats, often served in individual cupcake form for easy sharing.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
This treat is high in sugar and refined carbs, which can lead to blood-sugar spikes and energy crashes, making it unsuitable for those with diabetes or insulin resistance. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein (like a handful of nuts) or healthy fat (like a dollop of Greek yogurt) to slow sugar absorption, and practice portion control by choosing a smaller cupcake or a thin slice of cake.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates
- Offers a small amount of protein from the cake mix
- Convenient and easy to prepare from a mix
- A popular choice for celebrations and social gatherings
- Can be customized with various toppings or fillings
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The first boxed cake mix was introduced by General Mills in 1947, but it initially failed until the company removed the powdered egg and required home bakers to add fresh eggs, making the cake feel more 'homemade.'
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 28.6 g |
| Energy | 345 kcal |
| Protein | 3.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 14.7 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 51.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.70 g |
| Total Sugars | 37.1 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 78.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 13.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 153 mg |
| Potassium, K | 109 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 324 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.35 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.10 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 4.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.12 mg |
| Niacin | 0.72 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 22.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 13.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 31.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 35.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.13 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 21.0 ug |
| Retinol | 21.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 58.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.1 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 6.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 1.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 32.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.8 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 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.6 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.28 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 | 47.0 mg |
FAQ
Is white cake with chocolate icing gluten-free?
No, traditional white cake mixes contain wheat flour, which has gluten. Gluten-free versions are available but require a specific mix or recipe.
How many calories are in a typical serving?
A 100g serving has about 345 calories, but a standard cupcake (around 118g) would be closer to 407 calories, and a slice of cake (150g) around 518 calories.
Can I make this healthier?
You can reduce sugar in the icing, use whole wheat flour for some of the cake mix, or add fruits like berries to increase fiber and nutrients. Using a smaller portion also helps.
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 3.45 kcal/g · 4% calories from protein · 0.7 g fiber · 37.1 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: 2.97 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.