Fruitcake vs Pound Cake: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Fruitcake and pound cake have distinct nutritional profiles.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Pound cake, with 5.2 g of protein, is higher in protein compared to fruitcake, which has 2.9 g. Fruitcake is lower in calories at 324 compared to pound cake's 389.

Fruitcake and pound cake are both popular desserts, but they differ significantly in their nutritional content. This comparison highlights their calorie, protein, and sugar levels to help you make informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Fruitcake and Pound Cake?

Fruitcake is a cake made with candied or dried fruits, nuts, and spices, often enjoyed during holidays. It is known for its dense texture and rich flavor. Pound cake is a type of cake traditionally made with a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. It has a rich, buttery flavor and a dense, moist crumb.

Fruitcake vs Pound Cake: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of fruitcake and pound cake.

Nutrient (per 100 g) Fruitcake Pound cake
Calories 324 kcal 389 kcal
Protein 2.9 g 5.2 g
Carbs 61.6 g 52.5 g
Sugar 27.4 g 32 g
Fat 9.1 g 17.9 g
Fiber 3.7 g 1 g
Sodium 101 mg 400 mg

Which Is Better, Fruitcake or Pound Cake?

For weight loss: Fruitcake is lower in calories, containing 324 calories compared to pound cake's 389 calories per 100 g.

For muscle and protein: Pound cake provides more protein, with 5.2 g compared to fruitcake's 2.9 g per 100 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Fruitcake has higher carbohydrates at 61.6 g and sugar at 27.4 g compared to pound cake's 52.5 g carbs and 32 g sugar per 100 g.

How to Track Fruitcake and Pound cake Accurately

Dessert portion sizes and macros can often be misjudged, leading to unexpected calorie intake. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Pound cake has 5.2 g of protein, while fruitcake has 2.9 g of protein per 100 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Fruitcake contains 324 calories, whereas pound cake has 389 calories per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in fruitcake?

Fruitcake has 27.4 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the fat content in pound cake?

Pound cake contains 17.9 g of fat per 100 g.

How much fiber is in fruitcake?

Fruitcake contains 3.7 g of fiber per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in pound cake?

Pound cake has 52.5 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

  • Fruitcake has 324 calories per 100 g.
  • Pound cake has 389 calories per 100 g.
  • Fruitcake contains 2.9 g of protein per 100 g.
  • Pound cake contains 5.2 g of protein per 100 g.
  • Fruitcake has 61.6 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.
  • Pound cake has 52.5 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Ready to Transform Your Nutrition Tracking?

Join millions who have transformed their health journey with Nutrola!