ONE Brands
Birthday Cake
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A true candy-bar experience—icing-like coating and rainbow sprinkles—paired with 20 grams of complete dairy protein and only 1 gram of sugar, in a gluten-free bar.
When to choose ONE Brands Birthday Cake
Best for a dessert-y post-workout bite or afternoon sweet-tooth swap when you want substantial protein with low sugar, and you tolerate sugar alcohols well.
What's in the ONE Brands bar?
Under the confetti sprinkles, this Birthday Cake bar is built on dairy protein: milk protein isolate plus several forms of whey (isolate, concentrate, and hydrolyzed) deliver a sturdy 20 grams. The sugar stays low because sweetness leans on sugar alcohols and fiber-type syrups rather than cane sugar, which nudges total carbs higher than you might expect.
Fat is modest and comes mostly from palm-based oils with a touch of cocoa butter to create that frosting-like coating. The “cake” character comes from natural vanilla-like flavor and colorful sprinkles tinted with fruit and vegetable extracts (spirulina, turmeric, annatto), finished with confectioner’s glaze and carnauba wax for shine.
If you want high protein with low sugar and don’t mind a more engineered ingredient list, this fits the bill.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Carbohydrates
- 25 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 220
Protein
2015HIGHProtein comes primarily from milk protein isolate (a clean, filtered mix of casein and whey) and a trio of whey proteins—whey isolate, concentrate, and hydrolyzed whey. That combo offers fast-absorbing whey alongside slower-digesting casein, which helps with both quick recovery and staying power. Lactose is kept relatively low by the isolates, but it isn’t zero—great quality protein for most, off-limits if you have a milk allergy.
Fat
69LOWWith 6 grams of fat, the bar is on the leaner side; most of it comes from palm kernel oil, palm oil, and a bit of cocoa butter in the coating. These are saturated-leaning fats chosen for structure and shelf stability rather than for a heart-healthy profile you’d get from nuts or olive oil. The total amount is modest, so the saturated load stays moderate per bar.
Carbs
2520HIGHCarbs here are largely “engineered” rather than from whole grains or fruit—soluble corn fiber (a refined corn‑starch fiber), isomalto‑oligosaccharides (an enzyme‑rearranged starch syrup), the sugar alcohol maltitol, plus small amounts of tapioca/corn starches. That mix is designed for chew and lower sugar, generally giving a steadier blood‑sugar rise than a sugary bar, though IMO can be partly digestible and maltitol still counts toward carbs. If you’re sensitive to polyols or big fiber hits, two bars in a row can mean gas or bloat.
Sugar
14LOWJust 1 gram of sugar—the sweetness comes mainly from a sugar alcohol (maltitol), refined fiber syrups (soluble corn fiber and IMO), and a tiny touch of an artificial sweetener (sucralose). That keeps sugar low but relies on highly processed sweeteners rather than fruit or honey. People prone to GI upset may notice symptoms if they stack servings because sugar alcohols are dose‑sensitive.
Calories
220210MIDAt 220 calories, this sits near the middle of the pack for protein bars. Most energy comes from protein and the bar’s fiber‑syrup/sugar‑alcohol matrix, with relatively little from fat. It’s a practical snack-sized calorie load for pre- or post‑workout without drifting into meal-replacement territory.
Vitamins & Minerals
The notable micronutrient is calcium at about 10% of daily value, courtesy of the dairy proteins and skim milk. Beyond that, there’s no meaningful vitamin fortification—think protein bar first, micronutrient source second. If you want broader vitamins and minerals, pair it with whole foods.
Additives
Expect a modern, highly engineered build: fiber syrups and glycerin for moisture and chew, maltitol and sucralose for sweetness with fewer sugars, soy lecithin to emulsify, and confectioner’s glaze/carnauba wax to keep the sprinkles glossy. These additives are widely used and regulated, but they’re decidedly refined. If you prefer short, whole‑food ingredient lists, this bar reads more like confectionery science than pantry staples.
Ingredient List
Skim cow milk
Corn starch
Corn or tapioca
Cow's milk
Fats and oils
Corn or wheat
Oil palm fruit
Cow's milk
Cocoa beans
Soybeans
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“i just had a ONE glazed maple donut bar and it was so good. i recommend if that’s your thing.”
“The maple glazed are amazing!!”
“I LOVE ONE BARSSS I converted because they don’t give me acid reflux on my run. I have one about 20-40min before and it’s just simply such a worry and pain-free run without being hungry or worrying about my burp bringing up a surprise. I love the maple glazed donut and birthday cake. Just got a variety box on Amazon to try the other flavors. They’re perfectly sweet, not too much not too little.”
Main Praise
Taste and texture lead the applause.
Across outlets and everyday reviewers, ONE Bars—this Birthday Cake flavor included—get called out as a rare “actually delicious” protein bar with a soft chew and a frosting-like coating that feels like a treat, not a chore.
Men’s Health even slotted ONE as a best post‑workout pick for combining 20 grams of protein with just 1 gram of sugar, while BarBend praised consistent flavor wins across the lineup.
Prevention echoed the theme: great taste, solid macros, and gluten-free.
In the wild, Amazon reviewers use words like “amazing” and “favorite,” and one Reddit runner noted it didn’t cause reflux before a run—high praise for anyone who’s trained with a bar sitting in their stomach.
In short, if you want dessert vibes without a sugar dump, fans think ONE nails the brief.
Main Criticism
Not everyone is sold on the flavor or mouthfeel. A handful of Redditors call the taste artificial, even “soapy,” and several note a slightly pasty or dry interior compared to chewier competitors.
The sweetness comes largely from refined fiber syrups and a sugar alcohol (maltitol), which some people tolerate fine and others don’t—stacking bars or eating them quickly can mean bloating or GI grumbles.
The bar’s ingredients read more like modern confectionery than a short, whole‑food list, which turns off minimalists. And while pricing varies by store, budget-minded shoppers sometimes balk at paying a premium for a daily snack.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right: the fans or the skeptics? Probably both, depending on what you want from a bar.
If your priority is a dessert-like experience with strong macros, this checks a lot of boxes—20 grams of high‑quality milk-and-whey protein, 220 calories, and only 1 gram of sugar in a soft, coated format that’s more candy than granola.
That’s exactly why Men’s Health and BarBend rate ONE so highly.
But taste is personal: one Redditor (going by “unknown,” which feels fitting for internet hot takes) said it tasted like soap, while others simply found the inside a bit dry or “protein-y.
” The sweetener system is the real fork in the road. Those refined fiber syrups and maltitol keep sugar low and texture soft, but they’re processed and can be dose‑sensitive for digestion.
If you’re cool with an engineered build and want a frosted, gluten‑free protein treat, you’ll likely be in the “love it” camp. If you want whole‑food ingredients or you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
What's the bottom line?
ONE Brands’ Birthday Cake bar is a party trick that mostly works: it looks and eats like dessert while delivering serious protein. The milk‑and‑whey blend brings both fast and slow-digesting proteins for recovery and staying power, and the 220‑calorie profile slots in neatly as a snack or post‑workout bridge. The trade‑offs are clear.
You’re getting low sugar by way of refined fiber syrups and maltitol, not fruit or honey, so digestion and taste perception will vary. The ingredient list is long; the payoff is that frosting-like coating and consistent sweetness.
If you want a gluten‑free, sweet-tooth‑satisfying bar with 20 grams of protein—and you tolerate sugar alcohols—this is a strong pick. If you prize short, whole‑food labels or have a sensitive stomach, skip the confetti and choose something simpler.