Birthday Cake Protein Bars worth Celebrating

They might sound too good to be true, but these dairy-free birthday cake protein bars can help your healthy wishes come true. They taste like a sweet reward, but are packed with vegan protein, fiber, and other nutrients. I’ve been known to enjoy them as energy bars when hiking, for a post workout snack, as breakfast bars in the morning, or even as a healthier dessert when my sweet tooth strikes. With these snack bars you really can have your dairy-free cake and eat it too. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist – the cliche was too strong!)

Dairy-Free Birthday Cake Protein Bars with Options

Hannah originally created these vegan cake batter protein bars for No Udder Protein, a dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan protein powder. That brand is still going strong, but we have updated the recipe with more detailed instructions plus tips and options in the FAQs below.

What Mix-Ins Do You Recommend?

Small mix-ins are going to work best. Of course, you probably want some pastel or rainbow sprinkles if you want that birthday cake look. Most (but not all!) brands of sprinkles are dairy free. But for a more virtuous option, look for brands that use natural flavors and food-based colors, like Pure Food Sprinkles. For dairy-free chocolate chips, I like to use Enjoy Life White Chocolate Baking Chips (which are minis) or Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips (which are semisweet). For nuts, I find that sliced almonds or chopped macadamia nuts are particularly delicious in these dairy-free birthday cake protein bars.

Will Any Dairy-Free Protein Powder Work?

To get that birthday cake or cake batter vibe, I would make sure you choose a vanilla dairy-free protein powder. Hannah uses No Udder Vanilla Protein Powder, which has a warm vanilla flavor and a smooth, rich pea protein and rice protein base. Pea protein thickens quite a bit and is usually a less gritty option. You can use a different type of protein powder (like soy, brown rice, or even collagen if not vegan). Just be aware that it can affect the taste, texture, and consistency. Some brands also thicken more readily than others, so you might need to adjust the amount of protein powder up or down to get the right thickness.

Can I Use a Different Flour instead of Oat Flour?

The various types of flour, from wheat flour to gluten-free flours, have different tastes, textures, and thickening powers. This recipe has been tested with oat flour specifically. If you opt to use another flour, expect slightly different results, and be prepared to adjust the flour quantity up or down as needed to get the right thickness.

Can I Make My Own Oat Flour?

Definitely! Simply grind oats in your spice grinder, blender, or small food processor until floured. This takes me just 1 minute or less (in batches) in my spice grinder. You will need about 1/2 cup oats to make 1/2 cup oat flour. You can use quick oats or rolled oats.

What Nutrition Benefits Do these Protein Bars Have?

Well first, they are dairy-free, plant-based, and optionally allergy-friendly to suit various dietary needs. They are also balanced with macronutrients (protein, carbs (fiber, sugars), and fat) for good energy and sustenance. You can add other vitamins or minerals if you wish. For example, you can mix in calcium powder or probiotic powder as boosters.

Can You Suggest a Nut-Free Option?

The obvious answer would be to use sunflower seed butter in place of the cashew butter. But this will lend a more pronounced taste. If you are okay with soy, I would personally use soy butter (the type like peanut butter, not the type like dairy butter) for more protein and for a smoother flavor.

Can I Substitute Another Sweetener?

Agave nectar is a liquid sweetener, which is considered non-refined, and that has a very “clean” taste. You can substitute another liquid sweetener, like honey, maple syrup, or brown rice syrup, but these will influence the flavor. If you want sugar-free protein bars, you will need to find a non-concentrated, sugar-free liquid sweetener, like WholesomeYum Zero Sugar Honey.

Special Diet Notes: Birthday Cake Protein Bars

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, optionally gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. See the post above for nut-free options.

Hannah Kaminsky

Dairy-Free Birthday Cake Protein Bars

5 from 4 votes

They may taste like a cake batter treat, but these soft and chewy vegan protein bars are filled with nutrition.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 bars

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 236

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 cup vanilla dairy-free protein powder we use No Udder
• ½ cup oat flour use certified gluten-free, if needed
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup raw cashew butter
• ¼ cup coconut oil melted
• ¼ cup light agave nectar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup sprinkles, chopped nuts, and/or mini dairy-free chocolate chips (see post above for suggestions)

Method

 

1. Line an 8x4-inch loaf pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, protein powder, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cashew butter, melted coconut oil, agave, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix slowly with a stand mixer or with a wooden spoon to incorporate all of the ingredients. The batter is very thick, and can become difficult to stir. If mixing by hand, be prepared to ditch the spoon and use your hands as the dough becomes stiff.
5. Once the dough comes together, add your choice of sprinkles, nuts, and/or dairy-free chocolate. You can add any combination of them, so long as it isn't more than ½ cup of mix-ins in total.
6. Once the batter is smooth and cohesive, transfer it to your prepared pan and press it down into an even layer.
7. Place the pan in your freezer for at least 5 to 6 minutes, just until the bars are firm enough to cut.
8. Use the sides of the foil or parchment paper to neatly pull the bars out.
9. Slice the block in half horizontally, then in fourths vertically to create 8 long rectangular bars.
10. Store these birthday cake protein bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay relatively fresh for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, individually wrap the bars in plastic wrap and store them in your freezer. Allow them to thaw for at least 5 minutes before eating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 236kcalCarbohydrates: 18.8gProtein: 10.1gFat: 13.5gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 174mgFiber: 3.6gSugar: 9.1g

Notes

Meal Replacement Option: You can cut the dough into six bars for a heftier light meal on the go.

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Also Enjoy Our Peanut Butter Protein Balls Recipe!