Pure Protein
Sundae Cone
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A dessert-inspired, gluten-free bar with a “cone” crunch and candy-style bits that still delivers 19 grams of protein for 190 calories using a soy-and-whey blend.
When to choose Pure Protein Sundae Cone
Best for sweet-tooth moments around workouts or as a lower-sugar afternoon snack if you tolerate sugar alcohols and don’t need a minimalist ingredient list (and if you’re not vegetarian or avoiding soy/dairy/nuts).
What's in the Pure Protein bar?
Pure Protein’s Sundae Cone leans into dessert vibes while quietly delivering 19 grams of protein from a soy-and-whey blend—an above-average hit powered by isolates and concentrates.
The sweet, crunchy “cone” experience comes from cocoa and chocolate plus wafer‑like starches (tapioca and cornstarch) and colorful candy-style bits, while the low sugar tally (2 grams) is achieved with sugar alcohols and a touch of sucralose.
Fats are modest and come from a mix of tropical oils (for snap and structure) and a little nut butter; calories land at a restrained 190. If you’re weighing tradeoffs, expect solid protein quality and lower sugar, paired with a fair number of refined sweeteners, stabilizers, and synthetic colors.
- Protein
- 19 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 18 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
1915MIDWith 19 grams, this bar sits above average for protein. The bulk comes from a blend of soy protein isolate and dairy proteins—whey concentrate/isolate plus milk protein concentrate—with a small assist from hydrolyzed gelatin. Whey and soy are complete proteins (whey being especially leucine‑rich), while gelatin isn’t; together they deliver solid quality with relatively low lactose thanks to isolate/concentrate formats.
Fat
79MIDFat stays modest at 7 grams, driven mostly by fractionated palm kernel/palm oil (more saturated, used for structure) with smaller amounts from canola oil and nuts (almond butter, peanut flour) adding unsaturated fats. The tropical oils keep coatings firm but tilt the profile toward saturated fat; the overall amount, though, remains moderate. If you prefer bars centered on nuts or olive oil, this recipe leans more on refined plant oils.
Carbs
1820MIDThe 18 grams of carbs are mostly engineered rather than from whole grains: sugar alcohols (maltitol syrup/maltitol) and glycerin provide sweetness and chew, while refined starches (tapioca and cornstarch) add structure; a little sugar and dextrose round things out. Expect a mixed energy curve—starches and dextrose are quick, while polyols tend to blunt spikes a bit—though sensitive stomachs can notice gas or bloating from sugar alcohols. Net impact is lower than a sugar‑sweetened bar, but not zero.
Sugar
24MIDOnly 2 grams of sugar show up because most sweetness comes from sugar alcohols (maltitol syrup and maltitol) plus a tiny dose of an artificial sweetener (sucralose). That combo keeps blood sugar steadier than straight sucrose, though maltitol still contributes carbs and can bother sensitive guts. A bit of table sugar and dextrose are present, but they’re secondary.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories—below the category average—the bar draws energy fairly evenly from protein, carbs, and a smaller share from fat. Part of the calorie control comes from using sugar alcohols and glycerin in place of regular sugar, which bring fewer calories per gram. Practically, the protein does meaningful lifting while fats stay modest.
Vitamins & Minerals
You get about 10% daily value of both calcium and iron. Calcium is largely from added calcium carbonate and the dairy proteins (milk protein concentrate, nonfat milk), while iron likely comes from soy protein isolate and cocoa. Think of these as small mineral bonuses rather than a vitamin boost.
Additives
This is a candy‑style protein bar with a longer helper list: sugar alcohols and glycerin for sweetness and moisture, soy lecithin and carrageenan for smooth texture, and disodium phosphate for pH/structure. The colorful “cone” bits use synthetic color lakes (Red 40, Yellow 5/6, Blue 1) purely for appearance. The additives are widely permitted and highly refined; if you favor minimally processed bars, this formula sits on the more engineered side.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cow's milk whey
Cow's milk whey
Corn or wheat starch
Bovine, porcine, and fish collagen
Fats and oils
Oil palm fruit
Corn or wheat
Canola seed
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
Fans come back to Pure Protein for a reason: the macros-for-calories trade feels generous. You get 19 grams of complete-protein power from soy and whey in just 190 calories, which multiple reviewers—like the BarBend team and a chorus on Amazon—call a standout value.
Taste-wise, the line often gets “candy bar” praise; one Redditor said they prefer Pure Protein over Costco’s house brand because it actually tastes like candy instead of “soft leather. ” Another called the lemon cake flavor a bar that “absolutely slaps,” and the consistency across flavors tends to be pleasingly chewy rather than crumbly.
For this Sundae Cone flavor specifically, the playful chocolate-and-crunch combo scratches a dessert itch without tipping the sugar scales, and it’s gluten-free to boot. For many, that makes it an easy post-workout grab or a keep-in-the-bag backup meal.
Main Criticism
Not everyone loves the texture; a few Amazon and Reddit comments call the bars dense, roof-of-mouth sticky, or a bit chalky at the finish—especially in some chocolate-leaning flavors.
The sweeteners are another dividing line: maltitol and sucralose help keep sugar low, but sensitive stomachs can get gassy or crampy with sugar alcohols, and some folks simply don’t like the taste.
Ingredient minimalists may balk at the longer list (starches, emulsifiers, synthetic colors) and the inclusion of gelatin means the bar isn’t vegetarian. A handful of Redditors have even reported odd off-notes (one “fishy” report, another “barnyard” jab) in specific flavors, though those complaints aren’t universal and aren’t particular to Sundae Cone.
The Middle Ground
So where does the Sundae Cone land? If you judge a bar by protein-for-calories and crowd-pleasing sweetness, it’s an overachiever; BarBend praised the bang-for-buck, and thousands of Amazon ratings echo that sentiment.
If you judge by simplicity, it’s clearly on the engineered side—sugar alcohols, stabilizers, and color lakes are part of the sundae illusion. Reddit user takes are telling: some say Pure Protein “tastes like candy,” others call them “mid” or too dense; both can be true depending on the flavor and your palate.
The sugar alcohol question is personal—some people feel fine, others do not—so consider your own tolerance before making it a daily habit. And while a few dramatic taste slams exist (often aimed at specific chocolate varieties), they’re outliers next to a large base of satisfied snackers.
Bottom line: this is gym-friendly candy energy, not a fruit-and-nut purist. If that’s what you want, enjoy the wink; if not, you’ll spot the red flags at a glance.
What's the bottom line?
Pure Protein’s Sundae Cone is a dessert-leaning bar that still shows up with real muscle: 19 grams of protein at 190 calories, low sugar, and a flavor profile designed to be fun. The soy-and-whey blend gives you solid protein quality, while the chocolate-and-cone crunch scratches the itch that usually sends people to the freezer aisle. It’s also gluten-free, widely liked for value, and easy to keep on hand.
The tradeoffs are straightforward. Sweetness comes largely from maltitol with a touch of sucralose, which some guts don’t love, and the ingredient list includes stabilizers and synthetic colors. It’s not vegetarian due to gelatin and won’t impress anyone seeking a short, whole-food label or a fiber-forward bar.
If you want a budget-friendly, sweet tooth–satisfying protein hit and you tolerate sugar alcohols, Sundae Cone is a crowd-pleasing choice. If you want minimalist ingredients or steer clear of soy/dairy/nuts, keep walking—your bar is on a different shelf.