Sponge cake glycemic index
Sponge cake has a glycemic index of 57, which is medium. A 60 g serving (1 slice) has a glycemic load of 18 (medium).
Also known as: pound cake, vanilla cake, angel food cake
- Serving60 g
- Available carbs32 g
- Fiber0.4 g
- Sugars20 g
- Protein3 g
- Calories212 kcal
Serving: 1 slice.
What to know
Plain cakes averaged a medium GI across 11 tests. The glycemic load of a slice depends mostly on its size and frosting.
Glycemic load by portion size
GI stays the same whatever you eat, but glycemic load scales with the amount: eating twice as much doubles the effect on blood sugar.
| Amount | Available carbs | Glycemic load | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 g | 27 g | 15 | Medium |
| 100 g | 53 g | 30 | High |
| 60 g · 1 slice | 32 g | 18 | Medium |
| 120 g · double serving | 64 g | 36 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 57 is the median of 11 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results range from 38 to 67. That spread is normal: GI changes with variety, ripeness, cooking and processing, and between labs.
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 38 · Mexico 2006
- 42 · USA 2000
- 46 · Canada 1981
- 51 · Italy 2007
- 55 · Canada 1992
- 57 · Italy 2014
- 58 · Italy 2012
- 60 · Italy 2012
- 60 · Italy 2012
- 61 · Italy 2014
- 67 · Canada 1992
Sponge cake compared with other sweets & desserts
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Frequently asked questions
Is sponge cake low glycemic?
No. With a GI of 57, sponge cake is in the medium range (56 to 69). Low GI is 55 or less.
What is the glycemic load of sponge cake?
A 60 g serving (1 slice) has a glycemic load of 18, which is medium. Glycemic load combines GI with the amount of carbohydrate in the portion: 10 or less is low, 11 to 19 medium and 20 or more high.
Can people with diabetes eat sponge cake?
With a GI of 57 and a medium glycemic load per serving, sponge cake can be part of a diabetes-friendly diet with attention to portion size and pairing it with protein, fat or fiber. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in sponge cake?
A 60 g serving has about 32 g of total carbohydrate, including 0.4 g of fiber, leaving 31.8 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 53.6 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (60 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 353 kcal | 212 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 54 g | 32 g |
| Available carbs | 53 g | 32 g |
| Fiber | 0.6 g | 0.4 g |
| Sugars | 33 g | 20 g |
| Protein | 5 g | 3 g |
| Fat | 14 g | 8.4 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Cake, pound, commercially prepared, butter (includes fresh and frozen) (SR Legacy, FDC 172704). Available carbohydrate = total carbohydrate minus fiber.
Sources: Atkinson FS, Brand-Miller JC, Foster-Powell K, Buyken AE, Goletzke J. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;114(5):1625–1632. USDA FoodData Central. How we calculate each value: Methodology & sources.
Data last reviewed 2026-09-29.