Pure Protein
Lemon Cake
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
Dessert-like lemon flavor with 20g of complete dairy protein at 200 calories, achieved through a blend of milk proteins and low‑sugar sweeteners, not a short, whole‑food ingredient list.
When to choose Pure Protein Lemon Cake
Choose it if you want a protein‑forward, gluten‑free snack or post‑workout bite that tastes like lemon cake and won’t load you with sugar. Skip if you avoid sugar alcohols, soy/dairy, or prefer minimalist, whole‑food bars.
What's in the Pure Protein bar?
Pure Protein’s Lemon Cake bar leans hard on dairy protein—milk protein isolate, whey, and casein—backed by soy, to deliver a muscular 20g per bar, placing it in the top decile for protein among bars.
The low sugar number (2g) doesn’t mean it isn’t sweet; the lemon‑dessert vibe is built with sugar alcohols for bulked sweetness, a tiny touch of sucralose, and bright tang from citric acid and a bit of yogurt powder, with turmeric lending that sunny “cake” hue.
Carbs (16g) skew engineered rather than whole‑food, and the modest 7g of fat comes from a mix of fractionated palm oils (for structure) and seed oils, with a sprinkle of almonds.
Expect a protein‑forward, 200‑calorie bar that tastes like lemon cake thanks to smart flavor chemistry rather than a short, pantry‑style ingredient list.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 16 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 200
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the 20g of protein comes from dairy—milk protein isolate plus whey and casein—supported by soy protein isolate and a little hydrolyzed gelatin. That combo supplies complete, highly digestible amino acids with both fast (whey) and slower‑digesting (casein) proteins, which many people find satisfying. Note that collagen/gelatin isn’t a complete protein, so it adds texture and grams but doesn’t drive the amino acid quality.
Fat
79MIDThe 7g of fat is a blend: fractionated palm kernel and palm oil provide structure (more saturated), while canola and sunflower/soybean oils and a touch of almonds add mostly unsaturated fats. Net effect: moderate fat overall with some saturated fat in the mix—worth noting if you’re minimizing sat fat. There’s no olive‑oil or nut‑butter base here; the fats are chosen for texture and shelf stability.
Carbs
1620MIDThese carbs lean engineered, not whole‑food: sugar alcohols (for example, maltitol and erythritol) and glycerin do most of the sweetening and softening, with smaller contributions from brown rice syrup and the tapioca in soy crisps. Polyols generally blunt blood‑sugar spikes compared with table sugar, though maltitol can still nudge glucose and may bother sensitive stomachs. If you want slow carbs from oats or sweet potato, this isn’t that—expect steadier sweetness, not a whole‑grain energy base.
Sugar
24MIDOnly 2g of sugar here; most sweetness comes from sugar alcohols (such as maltitol and erythritol) plus glycerin, with a tiny boost from an artificial sweetener (sucralose). A little brown rice syrup and dairy lactose account for the small sugar line. Glycemic impact is generally lower than a sugar‑sweet bar, but larger intakes of polyols can cause bloating or laxation in some people.
Calories
200210MIDAt 200 calories, it’s protein‑forward: roughly 80 calories from protein, about 60–65 from fat, and the rest from carbohydrates and sugar alcohols. Because some polyols contribute fewer calories than sugar, not every carb gram brings full energy. Translation: fairly filling for the calories, especially compared with higher‑sugar bars.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium shows up at 15% Daily Value, courtesy of the dairy backbone—milk protein isolate/concentrate, whey, casein, and a bit of yogurt powder. Iron and potassium are minimal, and there’s no vitamin fortification. Think solid protein plus a helpful calcium bonus, not a micronutrient‑dense bar.
Additives
This is a modern, highly engineered formula: sugar alcohols and glycerin keep it sweet and moist with less sugar, soy lecithin stabilizes texture, and citric acid and natural flavors tune the lemon‑yogurt profile. Multiple refined oils and fractionated palm fats provide structure without a coating. Great for shelf life and a dessert‑like bite, though the long list and polyols may not suit those who prefer pantry‑simple bars or have sensitive digestion.
Ingredient List
Skim cow milk
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Skim cow's milk
Defatted soybean flakes
Cassava root
Corn or wheat starch
Fats and oils
Oil palm fruit
Cow's milk
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
Three things keep this bar in carts. First, taste: the Lemon Cake flavor has a bright, yogurt‑lemon vibe that plenty of reviewers say “slaps” and edges closer to candy bar than chalky gym fuel.
Second, the macros: 20g of protein for 200 calories is a protein‑to‑calorie ratio that rivals pricier bars, and the dairy blend (whey and casein) is both complete and satisfying. Third, value and availability: it’s widely found and routinely undercuts boutique bars on price, which is why Amazon reviewers keep calling it their go‑to.
The texture also earns nods—chewy, yes, but not “soft leather,” as one Redditor compared a competitor. Add a small calcium bump from the dairy (about 15% DV), and you’ve got a dependable, lemony protein fix that feels bigger than its calorie line.
Main Criticism
The trade‑offs are real.
The ingredient list is long and engineered, leaning on sugar alcohols (like maltitol and erythritol) plus a tiny bit of sucralose for sweetness; that keeps sugar low but can cause bloating for some and won’t appeal to “pantry‑only” sticklers.
Texture‑wise, a minority find it dense, sticky to the teeth, or slightly chalky if you eat it fast. Flavor reliability varies across the Pure Protein lineup—some chocolate flavors catch heat on Reddit—so brand fans still cherry‑pick.
It’s also low in fiber, contains soy and milk (plus almonds), and uses gelatin, so it’s not vegetarian.
The Middle Ground
So where does the Lemon Cake bar really land? On one side, you’ve got the “tastes like candy” camp, including Redditors who keep a stash and rave about the lemon flavor specifically.
On the other, you’ll find posts calling some Pure Protein flavors “mid,” too chewy, or even off‑tasting—though those complaints skew toward chocolate variants, not lemon. The nutrition backs the fans: 20g of complete protein and 200 calories is hard to argue with if you want something filling and sweet‑leaning.
But the critiques also hold water: if sugar alcohols don’t sit well with you, or you’re aiming for oats-and-nuts simplicity, this isn’t your bar. Practical take: sip water, don’t wolf it down, and maybe start with one—especially if you’re new to maltitol.
The Lemon Cake version is the brand at its best, but it’s still an engineered dessert‑ish protein snack, not a slice from your favorite café.
What's the bottom line?
Pure Protein’s Lemon Cake is a crowd‑pleasing, budget‑friendly way to get 20g of high‑quality dairy protein in a bar that tastes like lemon dessert. It’s gluten‑free, satisfyingly chewy, and more filling than its 200 calories suggest. The price of admission is a long, modern ingredient list—sugar alcohols and a touch of sucralose included—plus low fiber and common allergens (milk, soy, almonds).
If you’re cool with that formula, it’s an easy yes for post‑workout or a sweet‑leaning snack that won’t tip your day into a sugar spiral. Condensed listicle pick: Pure Protein Lemon Cake — 20g complete dairy protein, 200 calories, bright lemon‑yogurt flavor, gluten‑free.
Watch-outs: sugar‑alcohol blend and sucralose, chewy/dense texture, low fiber, contains milk/soy/almonds and gelatin. Best for a dessert‑tasting protein hit after the gym or when you want something sweet with minimal sugar.