Cheesecake vs. Traditional Cake

Published on July 3rd, 2024
Updated on July 10th, 2024

In this article

Differences between cake and cheesecake
Which is healthier, cheesecake or regular cake?
Most Iconic Cheesecakes & Traditional Cakes Bakeries

SLICE INTO THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CREAMY INDULGENCE OF CHEESECAKE AND THE CLASSIC SWEETNESS OF TRADITIONAL CAKE

Juniors Cheesecake Raspberry Swirl — Juniors Cheesecake | Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

No matter how you slice it, cakes like cheesecake and traditional layer cakes bake our day. Who doesn’t like forkfuls of dense, creamy, dreamy cheesecake and fluffy, moist cake in all their different flavors?

But do you know the difference between these two popular desserts? Both sweets have the word “cake” in them, but there are other similarities (and differences!) too. We dig into why these two classic desserts are a dream crumb true.

Differences between cake and cheesecake

The main differences between cake and cheesecake are:

The ingredients: Cheesecake is made with cream, cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Cakes are made with flour, sugar, and, oftentimes, eggs and vanilla.
The flavor: Cheesecake is sweet, tangy and has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Cake is moist with a soft mouthfeel.
Layers: Cheesecakes have a crust and then typically one layer of cheese-based custard, but they may have two or three layers of cheesecake. Some cheesecake versions have layers of different cheesecake flavors or layers of creamy cheesecake and classic cake. Cakes may have up to 10 layers of cake with frosting, ganache, custard, or fruit in between each layer.
Accompaniments: Cheesecake is served plain or with whipped cream or strawberries. Cake is served plain or with ice cream.

Which is healthier, cheesecake or regular cake?

Regular cake is a healthier choice than cheesecake because it has fewer calories and fat. You can make regular cake healthier by swapping ingredients like applesauce instead of eggs or baking a healthier flavor like carrot cake.

Neither option is considered a healthy food. However, cheesecake is packed with dairy and calcium and tends to have less sugar and more protein than regular cake. Cheesecake (and cake!) should be eaten in moderation because they are high in fat and carbs.

Most Iconic Cheesecakes & Traditional Cakes Bakeries

Life is batter with cake and cheesecakes. No matter what you’re craving, there’s a cake flavor to satisfy every craving and occasion. The most iconic cheesecakes and traditional cake bakeries are whipping up their legendary sweets and shipping them nationwide.

Watch Junior’s on Goldbelly TV

Junior’s Cheesecake

Since 1950, one of New York’s favorite cheesecakes has been made by Junior’s Cheesecake in Brooklyn, New York. Founded by Harry Rosen, Junior’s remains popular, particularly for their cheesecakes, which include a layer of cake — the best of both worlds!

Have your cake (and cheesecake!) and eat it too in flavors like Original, Raspberry Swirl, Brownie Marble Swirl, and Apple Crumb cheesecake. Each is packaged in the shop’s iconic orange and white striped boxes.

Veniero’s

In 1894, Antonio Veniero opened his eponymous pasticceria in New York City’s East Village and New Yorkers have been in love with Veniero’s Italian pastries ever since. The family-run bakery makes its cheesecakes with original recipes from “mastro pasticcieres” (master bakers) who came over from Sicily.

One of the best treats to order is Veniero’s New York-style cheesecake. The 10-in. cheesecake is rich and creamy made with cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and sour cream.

Carousel Cakes

This Nanuet, New York, bakery has been a celeb favorite for years. One bite of their cakes and you will see why. Founded by Martin Lefkowitz, Carousel Cakes, including their Red Velvet Layer Cake, has been featured on Oprah Winfrey’s “O” List.

Carousel Cakes’ Oprah’s Favorite Red Velvet Layer Cake is a classic Southern cake with red chocolate-flavored cake generously frosted with cream cheese frosting. Other irresistible Carousel Cakes include Coconut Snowball Cake, Chocolate Mousse Supreme Cake, and Carrot Spice Layer Cake.

Carousel Cakes’ Oprah’s Favorite Red Velvet Cake

We Take The Cake

Nothing tastes better than a cake made from scratch and lots of love. We Take the Cake has been doing just that for years, becoming one of South Florida’s — and America’s — best bakeries. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bakery has been featured on Oprah’s “O” List, Food Network’s Unwrapped, and more.

From their gorgeous White Rose Layer Cake with golden vanilla cake, vanilla cream cheese, and fresh strawberries to their Brownie Cheesecake Layer Cake with layers of brownie, cheesecake, chocolate mousse, and chocolate cake topped with buttercream frosting to their festive Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate 4-Layer Cake with four layers of vegan chocolate cake and smooth chocolate icing adorned with sprinkles, these cakes take the cake!