REDCON1
German Chocolate Cake
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare meat‑based, multi‑source protein bar that actually tastes like dessert—widely praised for its unusually soft, cake‑like texture.
When to choose REDCON1 German Chocolate Cake
Best for a post‑workout or on‑the‑go mini meal when you want 20g of protein with a satisfying, dessert‑leaning bite. Not ideal if you’re avoiding dairy, eggs, or sweeteners like sugar alcohols.
What's in the REDCON1 bar?
REDCON1’s German Chocolate Cake bar leans on a meat‑first, multi‑source protein system—beef, salmon, and chicken—backed by egg albumin, soy, pea, brown rice, and a little whey in the coating. That layered blend delivers 20g of protein (top‑10% among bars), while carbs run high for quick energy (29g; ~92nd percentile) and calories sit on the denser side at 260.
The dessert‑like profile comes from alkalized cocoa and natural flavors, with coconut water powder tucked into the carb blend and nutty notes from almonds and peanuts—think chocolate‑forward, cake‑adjacent, built for appetite and performance rather than a minimalist ingredient list.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Carbohydrates
- 29 g
- Sugar
- 6 g
- Calories
- 260
Protein
2015HIGHProtein here is anchored by a mixed animal blend—beef, salmon, and chicken—rounded out with egg albumin, plant proteins (pea and brown rice), soy isolate, and a touch of whey from the coating. That combination supplies a complete amino‑acid profile and lands you 20g per bar, near the top of the category. Sensitive to dairy or egg? Note the whey and egg albumin on the label.
Fat
99MIDThe 9g of fat come mainly from the coating’s vegetable oils—palm, palm kernel, and soybean—plus smaller contributions from nuts and a bit of MCT oil. Expect a mix of saturated fats (palm‑based) and unsaturated fats (soybean oil and nuts). If you prefer fats primarily from nuts/olive‑style oils, be aware of the palm‑forward profile.
Carbs
2920HIGHAt 29g, carbs skew high and come from both whole‑food and refined sources. You get oats, dehydrated yam and sweet potato, and a little dried fruit for steadier energy, but also fast carbs like maltodextrin and dextrose, plus refined starches (tapioca and pea). Translation: a blend of quick and sustained fuel, with chicory‑root fiber helping to steady things a bit.
Sugar
64MIDSugar is a moderate 6g, coming from table sugar and dextrose in the coating, small dairy sugars from whey, and a touch from the dried fruit. Most of the sweetness actually comes from sugar alcohols (maltitol, sorbitol) and artificial sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame potassium), plus glycerin for softness—these keep sugar grams lower without losing sweetness. If polyols bother your stomach, consider starting with half a bar.
Calories
260210HIGHWith 260 calories (higher than average), energy is split across substantial carbs (29g), moderate fat (9g), and a hefty 20g of protein. Think portable mini‑meal rather than a light snack. Useful when you need staying power between meals or around training.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium stands out at about 20% DV, largely thanks to the dairy components in the coating (whey protein, whey powders). You may also see a modest vitamin A bump from added beta‑carotene/vitamin A palmitate, but calcium is the clear headliner.
Additives
This is a highly engineered formula: emulsifiers (mono‑ and diglycerides, lecithins) for smooth bite, cellulose gum for body, potassium sorbate for freshness, and a multi‑sweetener system (polyols plus sucralose/Ace‑K) to keep sugars down. These choices deliver soft texture, long shelf life, and dessert‑like sweetness—but they do make for a long, highly refined ingredient list.
Ingredient List
Cattle hides, bones, or meat
Cold-water finfish
Domestic chicken muscle meat
Eggs
Brown rice grain
Yellow pea seeds
Oat grain
Ipomoea batatas storage root
Yellow and green peas
Blueberries
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“1. RedCon MRE bars - German choc and cookies and cream - 20g protein, 20g carb. MRE bars are my go to, tho…”
“Do Redcon1 MRE Bars count? I love those. All flavors. Animal protein, sweet potato, unique ingredients.”
“I've tried the mre bars, pre workout and occasionally MOAB and have had great results.”
Main Praise
Fans keep coming back to two things: taste and texture. PricePlow and Fitness Informant both put MRE Bar near the top for flavor variety and that tender, less‑chewy bite—more “soft bake” than “protein taffy.
” On Reddit, None-ya-Business- calls MRE their go‑to, and several lifters mention it feels more like a meal than a nibble, which tracks with 260 calories and the mixed carb blend.
Amazon’s 4. 3 average across 1,600+ ratings suggests solid consistency, with German Chocolate earning particular love for chocolate depth without a waxy coating.
The other standout? The novelty of a meat‑based blend that’s not beef‑jerky sweet—people appreciate the complete protein and the “different from whey-only” angle.
Main Criticism
“Heavy” pops up a lot in feedback—some users simply find it dense for a snack. If you’re chasing low‑carb, the 29g of carbs and the use of fast carbs like dextrose and maltodextrin can be a mismatch.
The sweetener system (sugar alcohols plus sucralose/Ace‑K) divides people: many have zero issues, but sensitive stomachs may protest; starting with half a bar is a common workaround. Cost is another theme: reviewers call it pricier than average, and while frequent promos help, MSRP still stings.
Flavor consistency isn’t perfect either—one Redditor called the Banana Bread weak on banana.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land? The “whole‑food” narrative is partially true—you do get oats and starchy roots like sweet potato and yam—but it’s also paired with refined carbs (maltodextrin/dextrose) and a modern sweetener stack.
That’s not a knock; it’s a design choice to make the bar soft, shelf‑stable, and dessert‑leaning without a syrupy sugar bomb. If you’re after a low‑ingredient list, this isn’t your bar; if you want a bar that actually feels like food between meals, it’s exactly the point.
Reddit user ClarkGriswoldsEggnog loves the animal‑protein angle and unique ingredients, while others shrug it off as “run of the mill”—which probably says more about expectations than execution. The macros and mouthfeel are built for appetite and training, not for minimalist purity.
The open question is tolerance: if sugar alcohols usually treat you well, you’ll likely enjoy the ride; if they don’t, you may want to pass—or keep it to half.
What's the bottom line?
REDCON1’s MRE Bar (German Chocolate Cake) is a dessert‑style, meat‑based protein bar that eats like a portable mini meal. It delivers 20g of complete protein from a mix of animal, egg, and plant sources; 29g of carbs from both whole‑food and refined ingredients; and a soft texture that many consider best‑in‑class. It’s not a low‑carb bar and it’s not a minimalist ingredient list, but it is legitimately satisfying and flavorful.
Choose it when you want substance between meals or post‑workout, and you don’t mind a higher‑carb profile and modern sweeteners. Skip it if you’re avoiding dairy, eggs, soy, or nuts—or if sugar alcohols typically bother your stomach. Price sits above average, but the texture and “this actually tastes like dessert” factor help justify it for the right eater.
Quick take (for the listicle): A soft, cake‑like 20g bar with meat‑based protein, higher carbs, and big flavor. Great as a mini meal or post‑lift treat; less great if you’re sweetener‑sensitive or chasing ultra‑clean labels.