Pure Protein
Birthday Cake
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A dessert-forward, sprinkle-topped bar that still packs 20g of protein at 200 calories—unusually strong protein density for a candy-bar-like flavor profile.
When to choose Pure Protein Birthday Cake
Post-workout or afternoon sweet-tooth moments when you want protein first, sugar second. Best for folks who tolerate sugar alcohols and don’t need vegetarian or dye-free ingredients.
What's in the Pure Protein bar?
Pure Protein’s Birthday Cake bar is built on a multi‑source protein system: soy protein isolate leads the blend, backed by milk proteins (milk protein isolate, whey concentrate/isolate, calcium caseinate, milk protein concentrate) and a small contribution from hydrolyzed collagen.
That mix delivers a robust 20 grams of protein—near the top of the category—while keeping calories to a tidy 200. The cake‑shop vibe comes from sprinkles, natural flavor, and a touch of yogurt powder; just note those sprinkles bring artificial colors (and confectioner’s glaze) into the mix.
Carbs skew toward sugar alcohols (maltitol syrup/maltitol) and glycerin rather than oats or fruit, and fats are light overall, coming mostly from fractionated palm oils with a bit of canola.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 18 g
- Sugar
- 3 g
- Calories
- 200
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the 20 grams come from soy protein isolate paired with high‑quality dairy proteins—whey and casein—so you get a complete amino‑acid profile despite the presence of hydrolyzed collagen (which is not complete on its own). This blend digests at different speeds (whey faster, casein slower), which can help with satiety and muscle repair. Practically, it’s a soy‑anchored bar with strong dairy support rather than a collagen bar.
Fat
59LOWAt 5 grams total, fats are modest and come mainly from fractionated palm kernel/palm oil (more saturated, for structure) and canola oil (more unsaturated). That means the bar isn’t ‘fat‑fueled’; it relies on sturdier saturated fats for texture with a small dose of heart‑friendlier unsaturated fat. If you prefer bars centered on nuts or olive oil, this leans more toward refined plant oils.
Carbs
1820MIDCarbs here are largely engineered: sugar alcohols (maltitol syrup and maltitol) and glycerin do most of the lifting, with refined starches (tapioca, cornstarch) and a little sugar from sprinkles. This profile tends to bump blood sugar less than straight cane sugar, but it’s not the slow, fiber‑rich energy you’d get from oats or dates. Sensitive stomachs may notice GI rumbling if they overdo sugar alcohols.
Sugar
34MIDOnly 3 grams of sugar—mostly from the sprinkles and dairy (nonfat milk/yogurt)—because sweetness is handled by sugar alcohols and a tiny dose of sucralose. That keeps sugar low without making the bar bitter, though it shifts sweetness toward highly processed ingredients. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, consider how this fits with the rest of your day.
Calories
200210MIDTwo hundred calories come mostly from protein plus sugar‑alcohol‑based carbs, with a smaller slice from fat. Because maltitol and glycerin carry fewer calories per gram than sugar, the label’s 18 grams of carbs don’t translate to the same energy load as 18 grams of sucrose. Net effect: a relatively lean, protein‑forward bar.
Vitamins & Minerals
Micronutrients are not the headline here, but you do get about 10% of daily calcium courtesy of the milk‑derived proteins, nonfat milk, and yogurt powder. Iron and potassium show up in small amounts. Think of this as a protein bar with a modest calcium assist, not a multivitamin.
Additives
Expect a modern, processed sweetening system: sugar alcohols for bulked sweetness, glycerin for moisture, and sucralose for a finishing touch. Emulsifiers and stabilizers (soy lecithin, tocopherols) keep texture and flavor in line, while rainbow sprinkles add artificial colors and confectioner’s glaze (often insect‑derived). Note that the sprinkle mix includes Red 3, which FDA is phasing out of foods by January 2027—brands are transitioning.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Skim cow milk
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Corn or wheat starch
Cattle hides, pig skins, fish skins
Fats and oils
Corn or wheat
Oil palm fruit
Sugarcane and sugar beet
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Pure protein > Kirkland Signature protein bars. The pure protein bars actually taste like candy bars to me. The Kirkland Signature protein bars have a texture like chewing on soft leather. That's a no for me!”
“I'm eating a lemon cake Pure Protein bar right now and I can attest that it absolutely slaps. It is a flavor that seems like it could get old quick though. Regardless they have a ton of flavors and the consistency of the bar is pleasing to say the least. 20g of protein with 190 calories isn't too bad either.”
“I buy Pure Protein Bars at Costco. They are my favorite. I find the Kirkland Bars to be too chewy. I have not tried the others you have shown here. I also like the Robert Irvin Bars.”
Main Praise
If you want a bar that eats like a treat, this one is regularly praised as the budget candy bar of protein land. Reviewers on Reddit call flavors like lemon cake a standout and compare Pure Protein favorably to chewier competitors; Amazon’s long track record (4.
5 stars across tens of thousands of ratings) backs up the “tastes good for the macros” theme. Third‑party tests note the unusually strong protein-to-calorie ratio—20 grams of protein for about 200 calories—without the overly “protein-y” taste some bars have.
Many users find it genuinely filling for its size, which tracks with the blend of fast‑ and slow‑digesting dairy proteins anchored by soy. It’s also widely available, typically affordable, and gluten‑free, which makes it easy to keep in a gym bag or desk drawer.
Main Criticism
Taste is polarizing across flavors: some people love the dessert vibe; others find certain chocolatey versions chalky or oddly perfumed. Texture can read dense and sticky for a subset of reviewers—chewy enough to fatigue the jaw or leave a powdery finish.
The sweetness system relies on sugar alcohols plus a tiny dose of sucralose, which is a nonstarter for anyone who’s sensitive to GI side effects or avoiding artificial sweeteners. The sprinkle mix brings artificial colors, including Red 3 (being phased out of foods by January 2027), and the formula isn’t vegetarian due to collagen and confectioner’s glaze.
Also, don’t look here for fiber; you’ll likely want to pair it with produce or whole grains during the day.
The Middle Ground
So which is it: candy-bar good or chew‑and‑choke? The truth sits in the middle.
If you like sweet, frosted flavors, Pure Protein’s Birthday Cake often delivers on the promise—several Redditors say the brand “tastes like a candy bar” and one even said a cake flavor “slaps.
” But another user called a chocolate variant “foul,” and someone else swore they caught a fishy note—hardly a consensus, more a reminder that industrial flavor systems hit people differently. From a nutrition lens, the 20g protein at 200 calories is excellent; the trade‑off is a very processed ingredient profile with sugar alcohols doing the heavy lifting.
If your stomach handles those well and you’re okay with artificial colors, it’s a savvy, protein‑forward snack. If you prefer short‑ingredient lists and slow carbs from oats or dates, this isn’t your bar, no matter how festive the sprinkles look.
What's the bottom line?
Pure Protein’s Birthday Cake bar is a practical sweet fix for protein seekers: strong protein density, approachable taste for many, and a price that won’t make you flinch. It’s gluten‑free, portable, and satisfying after a lift or as an afternoon backstop against the vending machine. The flip side is clear—processed sweeteners, artificial colors (including a dye on its way out), and a texture some find dense or chalky.
It also contains milk and soy and isn’t vegetarian. Listicle takeaway: A budget-friendly, sprinkle-topped protein hit—20g protein for 200 calories—great post‑workout if you tolerate sugar alcohols; skip if you want dye‑free, low‑additive, or high‑fiber ingredients.