Does Cheesecake Have More Sugar Than Chocolate Cake? The Surprising Truth

November 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research comparing cheesecake and chocolate cake, a slice of cheesecake often contains less sugar, but significantly more fat, than a similar-sized piece of frosted chocolate cake. The answer to 'Does cheesecake have more sugar than chocolate cake?' is not as simple as it seems, as the final nutritional profile depends heavily on the recipe and preparation method.

Quick Summary

The sugar content of cheesecake versus chocolate cake is highly variable based on the recipe, preparation, and serving size. While cheesecake generally contains less sugar, it has a higher fat content, making neither a 'healthier' option without modifications.

Key Points

Cheesecake generally has less sugar: In many comparisons, a standard slice of cheesecake contains less sugar than a comparable slice of frosted chocolate cake.
Cheesecake is higher in fat: The cream cheese and dairy used in cheesecake mean it has significantly more fat and saturated fat than most chocolate cakes.
Recipe and Preparation are Key: The specific recipe and whether the dessert is homemade or store-bought cause significant variation in sugar and calorie content.
Store-bought options often contain more sugar and additives: Commercially made cakes and cheesecakes may have extra sugar, hydrogenated oils, and preservatives not found in homemade versions.
You can control the sugar in homemade versions: When baking from scratch, you can easily reduce sugar by up to 50% or use alternative sweeteners without compromising taste too much.
Consider portion control: Regardless of the dessert, the biggest factor in managing sugar and calories is portion size, especially with rich desserts.
Nutritional profiles vary widely: The sugar content per 100g can range drastically for both cakes, making blanket statements about which is 'healthier' misleading.

For anyone watching their sugar intake, comparing different dessert options is a common practice. When faced with the choice between a rich, creamy cheesecake and a decadent chocolate cake, the assumption might be that chocolate cake is the sweeter option. However, a deeper dive into the nutritional facts reveals that the reality is more complex and depends on multiple factors.

The Core Ingredients: A Tale of Two Desserts

To understand the difference in sugar content, it's essential to look at the primary ingredients of each dessert. These core components are responsible for the dessert's overall flavor, texture, and nutritional breakdown.

What's in a Traditional Cheesecake?

Cheesecake is not a traditional sponge cake but rather a dessert pie or tart made from a custard base. Its main ingredients include:

Cream cheese (or ricotta, mascarpone)
Eggs
Sugar
Vanilla
A crust, often made from graham cracker crumbs and butter, which also contains sugar.

Because of the generous amount of cream cheese and eggs, cheesecake is notably higher in protein and fat, particularly saturated fat.

What's in a Traditional Chocolate Cake?

Chocolate cake, in contrast, is a standard flour-based cake. Key ingredients typically include:

All-purpose flour
Sugar
Cocoa powder
Eggs
Milk or buttermilk
Oil or butter
Frosting, which is primarily made from butter and powdered sugar.

The large quantity of refined flour and sugar, especially in the frosting, makes chocolate cake a carbohydrate-heavy dessert.

The Verdict on Sugar: It's Not So Simple

Multiple studies and nutritional analyses confirm that when comparing a standard slice of cheesecake to a similarly-sized frosted chocolate cake, the cheesecake often contains less sugar. A study by the Food Standards Agency in the UK found that cheesecake samples had varying sugar contents, but there was no statistically significant difference in sugar compared to chocolate cakes, highlighting the vast variability that exists based on the recipe. For example, one nutritional estimate for a slice of cheesecake shows around 22g of sugar, while a slice of frosted chocolate cake can easily have over 40g of sugar, almost double the amount.

Table: Nutritional Comparison (Per 100g Average)

To provide a clearer picture, let's compare the average nutritional content per 100g of plain cheesecake and frosted chocolate cake, based on data from several nutrition databases.


Nutrient	Plain Cheesecake (Per 100g)	Frosted Chocolate Cake (Per 100g)
Calories	321 kcal	371 kcal
Total Fat	23g	15g
Saturated Fat	9.9g	5.4g
Carbohydrates	26g	53g
Sugar	22g	40g (varies)
Protein	5.5g	5.3g
Calcium	51mg	60mg
Iron	0.63mg	1.6mg

Note: These are average figures. Actual values can vary significantly based on specific ingredients, preparation, and portion size.

The Impact of Preparation: Homemade vs. Store-Bought

The way a dessert is prepared plays a massive role in its final nutritional profile. This is where you can have the most control over sugar content and other ingredients.

Store-Bought Variations

Commercially prepared desserts often contain higher levels of added sugars, fats, and artificial ingredients to extend shelf life and enhance flavor. Large-chain cheesecakes can be particularly high in calories and sugar, with some slices containing over 1,000 calories. A store-bought chocolate cake mix will also likely include preservatives and hydrogenated oils not found in a homemade version.

The Homemade Advantage

When baking at home, you control the ingredients and can make healthier swaps. For example:

Reduce Sugar: You can reduce the sugar in a cake recipe by 10-50% without significantly affecting the texture. With cheesecake, you can use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, or sugar alternatives like monk fruit or erythritol.
Control Portion Size: Cutting a homemade cake into smaller servings allows for better portion control, something you can't always do with a large, decadent restaurant slice.
Quality Ingredients: Using high-quality ingredients, such as dark chocolate with higher cocoa content, can provide a richer flavor and may even reduce the need for excessive sugar.

Making Healthier Choices: Tips for Conscious Indulgence

Since neither dessert is a health food, moderation is key. If you're going to indulge, consider these strategies to make a slightly better choice:

Opt for Homemade: Baking at home gives you full control over ingredients. Start by reducing the sugar by a quarter and see if you notice the difference.
Focus on Toppings: Reduce or eliminate sugary toppings like frosted icing on chocolate cake or syrupy fruit toppings on cheesecake. Instead, opt for fresh fruit or a homemade, lower-sugar sauce.
Choose the Right Ingredients: Use full-fat dairy and good quality cocoa. Fat helps you feel satiated, and rich, high-cocoa chocolate provides more flavor, which may satisfy a craving with a smaller portion.
Consider Alternatives: For a truly low-sugar option, explore keto cheesecake recipes that use sugar substitutes and almond flour for the crust, significantly cutting down on carbs and sugar.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Sugar

The answer to "Does cheesecake have more sugar than chocolate cake?" is generally no, especially when comparing traditional recipes. Cheesecake typically contains less sugar but more fat per serving than a standard frosted chocolate cake. However, the nutritional profile is highly dependent on the specific recipe, serving size, and whether it is homemade or store-bought. Ultimately, for conscious dessert consumption, focusing on portion control and making your desserts from scratch allows for the greatest control over sugar and fat content.

Additional Resources

For more information on reducing sugar in your baking, you can consult sources like the American Heart Association and King Arthur Baking, who provide excellent resources on adapting recipes.

American Heart Association: Tips for Cutting Down on Sugar
King Arthur Baking: How to reduce sugar in cake

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in many standard recipes and nutritional comparisons, a slice of cheesecake typically contains less sugar than a similarly-sized, frosted chocolate cake. However, cheesecake is higher in fat, and the exact amounts depend heavily on the specific recipe and portion size.

Neither is considered a healthy food choice due to high calories, fat, and sugar. Cheesecake generally has less sugar but more fat, while chocolate cake often has more sugar and carbohydrates. Healthier versions can be made at home by controlling ingredients.

You can use sugar substitutes like Monk Fruit, allulose, or erythritol to replace a portion or all of the sugar. Natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey can also be used, but may require adjusting other liquid ingredients.

Yes, many bakers suggest reducing the sugar in a cake recipe by 10-50% without a noticeable difference in taste or texture. You can also incorporate natural sweetness from ingredients like mashed banana or grated carrots.

Store-bought desserts, both cheesecake and chocolate cake, often contain extra sugar, preservatives, fillers, and artificial flavorings to increase shelf life and enhance flavor. This often results in a higher calorie and sugar content compared to homemade versions.

The most important takeaway is that moderation and portion control are crucial. While cheesecake might have less sugar, it's calorie-dense due to fat. Making desserts at home allows you to control ingredients and customize them to fit your nutritional goals.

Yes, many recipes use alternative ingredients to reduce overall sugar and fat. Options include keto cheesecakes, cakes made with natural sweeteners, or recipes that incorporate fruits or vegetables for moisture and natural sweetness.