Quick Answer
Cake donuts generally have more calories than other types of donuts. The main reason is that cake donuts contain more sugar and fat than yeast-raised donuts. Cake donuts are made from a cake-like batter and fried, resulting in a dense, sweet interior. Yeast-raised donuts use yeast to help the dough rise, creating a lighter and airier texture. While ingredients vary by recipe, a typical cake donut can have 200-300 calories, while a yeast donut may have 140-200 calories. So if you’re looking to limit your calorie intake, yeast-raised donuts like glazed and jelly-filled are a better choice than cake donuts.
Calorie Difference Between Cake and Yeast Donuts
The main difference in calories between cake and yeast donuts comes down to ingredients and cooking method. Here’s a breakdown:
Cake Donut Ingredients
– All-purpose flour: Provides structure but also adds calories
– Sugar: Adds sweetness and calories
– Eggs and butter/oil: Increase fat and calorie content
– Milk: Adds calcium but also calories
– Leavening like baking powder: Helps donuts rise without yeast
Cake Donut Cooking Method
– Fried in oil: Adds a significant amount of fat and calories
Yeast Donut Ingredients
– All-purpose flour: Still provides structure
– Sugar: Typically less than cake donut recipes
– Eggs or egg substitutes: Use fewer eggs or egg alternatives like flaxseed
– Oil/butter: Tend to use less than cake donuts
– Milk or water: Hydrates the dough without extra calories
– Yeast: Helps dough rise without extra fat and sugar
Yeast Donut Cooking Method
– Fried, but often at a lower temperature: Absorbs less oil than cake donuts
So while both types of donuts are fried, the lighter yeast-raised dough absorbs less oil than the dense cake batter. And yeast donuts typically use less sugar, fat, and eggs than cake recipes. This combination leads to yeast donuts having fewer calories per serving.
Calorie Counts of Popular Donut Types
To demonstrate the calorie differences, here is a comparison of calorie counts* in some popular cake and yeast donuts:
| Donut Type | Calories (per donut) |
|---|---|
| Glazed yeast donut | 140 |
| Jelly-filled yeast donut | 200 |
| Chocolate cake donut | 260 |
| Glazed chocolate cake donut | 290 |
| Blueberry cake donut | 300 |
*Based on average nutrition data from multiple online sources
As you can see, popular cake donut varieties like chocolate, glazed chocolate, and blueberry all have significantly more calories per donut than yeast-raised glazed or jelly donuts. The heavier cake batter and extra sugar in chocolate and blueberry cake donuts account for those extra calories.
Healthier Donut Options
If you have a donut craving but want to limit calories, here are some of your best options:
– **Plain cake donut** – Without frosting or fillings, a plain cake donut has around 190-220 calories. Still more than a yeast donut but not as bad as glazed or filled cake donuts.
– **Yeast-raised donut holes** – These bite-sized yeast donuts have around 100 calories per 5 pieces. Easy to limit your portion.
– **Mini donuts** – At around 55-70 calories each, mini donuts are a decent light option. Choose plain or cinnamon sugar over frosted types.
– **Donut made with whole grain flour** – Replacing some all-purpose flour with whole wheat or spelt flour adds fiber and nutrients.
– **Donut with fruit filling** – Fruit fillings like raspberry or lemon add natural sweetness with fewer calories than chocolate or custard.
Healthiest Ways to Customize Your Donut
While no donut is truly a health food, there are ways to make your donut less caloric:
– **Skip the frosting** – Frosted donuts can have up to 150 extra calories from added sugar. Enjoy your donut plain or just lightly glazed.
– **Pick your own filling** – Opt for a fruit jam rather than chocolate or custard filling to avoid those extra calories.
– **Share with a friend** – Cutting your donut in half means you still get the treat but with half the calories.
– **Pair with protein** – Eating your donut with milk, Greek yogurt, or eggs boosts staying power.
– **Savor slowly** – Take small bites and really enjoy the flavor, which may help you feel satisfied with less.
Healthiest Donut Substitutions
If you want a donut-like treat with fewer calories, consider these substitutions:
– Cake donuts – Swap for a yeast donut or donut hole
– Frosted donuts – Go for a plain cake or yeast donut without frosting
– Filled donuts – Choose fruit filling instead of chocolate, custard, or cream
– Sugary toppings – Opt for cinnamon sugar instead of frosting or glaze
– Large donut – Order a donut hole or mini donut for portion control
– Donut as dessert – Balance your meal instead, with fruit for dessert
– Every day treat – Make donuts an occasional indulgence rather than a daily habit
DIY Low-Calorie Donut Options
For the ultimate in calorie control, bake your own healthy donuts at home. Here are some ideas:
– **Baked cake donut** – Whip up a cake batter with whole wheat flour, banana,
and greek yogurt to reduce calories.
– **Baked yeast donut** – Make a lighter dough with whole wheat flour and minimal oil. Let rise overnight.
– **Baked oatmeal donut** – Combine oats, eggs, baking powder, spices, and milk for a cake-like texture.
– **Baked protein donut** – Add protein powder, collagen, and almond flour to the dough.
– **Chia seed donut** – Mix chia seeds into the batter for extra nutrition.
– **Baked apple cider donut** – Replace some flour with almond flour and use apple cider.
– **Baked lemon poppy seed donut** – Add poppy seeds and lemon zest for natural flavor.
With a few simple swaps like Greek yogurt, whole grains and fruit, you can definitely make donuts a bit healthier at home. But for an occasional treat, even regular cake and yeast donuts can fit into a balanced diet. Moderation and portion control are key if you want to limit the calorie impact of your donut cravings.
Nutrition Facts: Cake vs Yeast Donuts
To highlight the differences, here is a nutrition comparison of typical cake and yeast donuts* (per 1 donut):
| Nutrient | Cake Donut | Yeast Donut |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 260 | 180 |
| Fat | 14g | 9g |
| Carbs | 30g | 24g |
| Sugar | 15g | 10g |
| Protein | 3g | 4g |
| Fiber | 1g | 1g |
*Based on average data for chocolate glazed cake donut and glazed yeast donut
As shown, cake donuts have more calories and fat, as well as slightly more carbs and sugar than yeast donuts. Not a huge difference in nutrients, but those extra calories and fat grams in cake donuts add up, especially if you eat more than one!
Tips for Healthy Donut Eating
Here are some final tips for satisfying your donut craving without going overboard on calories:
– Stick to a single donut as a special treat, rather than a big box full
– Share a donut with a friend or split it in half to control portions
– Savor each bite instead of scarfing it down mindlessly
– Choose yeast over cake and limit frostings, glazes, and fillings
– Balance out your calories for the day by making your other meals lighter
– Drink water with your donut instead of sugary coffee or juice
– If having daily, opt for a “donut alternative” like oatmeal or an English muffin
Moderation and mindfulness are key principles for healthy donut eating. While cake donuts do tend to have more calories, you can still work any style of donut into your diet in reasonable portions. Just be mindful of extra toppings and pair donuts with nutritious foods the rest of the day.
Conclusion
Cake donuts generally have more calories than yeast donuts, with around a 100 calorie difference between the two styles. This is mostly due to cake donuts containing more added sugar and fat from ingredients like eggs, butter/oil, and rich toppings. However, both cake and yeast donuts can fit into a healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation. Opt for unlimited access if you really want to indulge your donut cravings without worrying about calories. Or choose healthier donut substitutes if you are limiting processed foods and added sugars. With balance and portion control, any donut lover can find room for an occasional treat!
