5 Best Birthday Cake Protein Powder (Tried & Tested)

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Long gone are the days of having to choose between simple flavors like chocolate and vanilla when it comes to picking a protein powder. 

There have been huge advancements in flavoring and sweetening technology which has opened the window for unique and delicious flavors, like birthday cake. 

As both a nutrition coach and supplement store manager, I not only know which factors make a high-quality protein powder, but I’ve also been able to put dozens of brands to the test to find out which ones have the best taste, satiety, and mixability. 

Dymatize Iso100 Birthday Cake Fruity Pebbles is the top birthday cake flavored protein. It is slightly more expensive than others on the market, but it has the highest protein percentage per scoop (83.3%), uses high-quality whey isolate, and doesn’t contain added fillers or food dyes. 

Summary: Our Top 3 Picks

Best Birthday Cake Flavored Protein Powders

• Best Overall: Dymatize Iso 100
• Best for Budget: MyProtein Impact Whey
• Best For Taste: Rule 1 Whey 
• Best Naturally Sweetened: Legion Whey+
• Best For Baking & Satiety: PEScience Select

1. Best Overall: Dymatize Iso 100

Overall Rating: 

• 4.5/5

Key Features:

• Price: $$ ($1.30-$1.80 per serving)
• Calories: 120
• Protein Content: 25g (83% calories from protein)
• Fat: 1g
• Carbs: 2g 
• Sugar: 1g 
• Protein Source: Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate, Whey Isolate

Our Thoughts:

Dymatize Iso100 uses exclusively fast-digesting proteins, with a blend of whey hydrolysate and whey isolate. This combination is great for post-workout recovery, but will also have virtually no lactose. 

With 25g of protein and 120 calories, Iso100 has 83% protein per scoop, putting it well into our criteria for a good protein source. (By our standards, a good protein powder is one that falls between 75% and 84% protein).

This makes it an appealing option for individuals with a lactose sensitivity or anyone looking for a protein powder that is low in fat (1g), low in carbs (2g), and low in sugar (1g). 

This protein can be a bit more expensive than others on the market, retailing for $44.99 for a 25-serving container ($1.80 per serving) and $99.99 for 76 servings ($1.31 per serving). 

While this is more expensive than some whey blends that average around $1.45 per serving, this is a reasonable price for a high-quality whey isolate. Even still, it may be out of budget for some consumers. 

Despite its cost, when it comes to mixability, taste, texture, and digestibility, Dymatize Iso100 reigns supreme.

• Check out my full review of Dymatize ISO 100 Protein Powder

Highlights

• Quick digesting with little to no negative side effects like gassiness or bloating

• Informed Choice certified, meaning its safe for use by drug-tested athletes and undergoes additional testing

• Very high protein percentage per scoop with 5.5g of naturally occurring BCAAs for extra workout recovery

Drawbacks

• More expensive than other types of protein on the market

• Won’t provide feelings of satiety or fullness

2. Best for Budget: MyProtein Impact Whey

Overall Rating: 

• 4.2/5

Key Features:

• Price: $ ($0.95-$1.12 per serving)
• Calories: 100
• Protein Content: 19g (76% calories from protein)
• Fat: 1g
• Carbs: 3g 
• Sugar: 1g 
• Protein Source: Whey Concentrate

Our Thoughts:

MyProtein Impact Whey has done a really good job of balancing quality with quantity. They don’t have very flashy packaging, and their products ship in bags as opposed to plastic tubs which allows them to cut down on some manufacturing costs. 

As a result, Impact Whey is able to offer 76% protein per serving for less than a dollar per scoop. 

It’s worth noting that the scoop size that Impact Whey uses is smaller than the average market size. Most of the products that we are reviewing here today offer around 25g per scoop as opposed to the 19g found in Impact Whey. 

When we adjust for this smaller serving size, Impact Whey costs anywhere from $1.18 to $1.40 per serving. 

MyProtein is Informed Choice certified, which means it undergoes additional testing to eliminate the risk of impurities or banned substances found within the product. 

Because it uses whey concentrate, there will be some naturally occurring sugar (lactose) remaining in the formula so it may be a bit more reactive for individuals with dairy sensitivities. 

Whey concentrate is a medium to fast digesting protein, and will provide more satiety than an isolate but with this formula being so low calorie (100 per scoop), you can expect to be hungry within 1 to 2 hours.

We appreciate MyProtein for using beetroot, curcumin, and plant based coloring for their sprinkles as opposed to the artificial food dyes that brands like Rule 1 use. The sprinkles do, however, contain wheat starch and therefore this product is not suitable for anyone with a gluten allergy.

• Check out my full review of MyProtein Whey

Highlights

• Good balance between protein percentage per scoop and cost per serving

• Great taste that mixes well

• Uses exclusively whey concentrate which will have a little bit of leftover fat and carbs from dairy

Drawbacks

• Has fewer grams of protein per scoop than other whey proteins

• May be reactive for people with dairy and gluten sensitivities 

3. Best Tasting: Rule 1 Whey

Overall Rating: 

• 3.7/5

Key Features:

• Price: $$ ($1.29-$1.59 per serving)
• Calories: 120
• Protein Content: 25g (83% calories from protein)
• Fat: 1g
• Carbs: 2g 
• Sugar: 1g 
• Protein Source: Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate, Whey Isolate

Our Thoughts

If it weren’t for the addition of food dyes, like Red 40 and Yellow 5, which have been linked to negative health-related side effects, this product would have been a contender for our top spot. 

Having real sprinkles in a birthday cake flavored protein adds a whimsical touch, but other brands like MyProtein Impact Whey mentioned above, have sourced sprinkles which use food-based colorants as opposed to the chemical ones that Rule 1 uses. 

Sprinkles aside, we really like everything else about Rule 1 Whey. 

Rule 1 Birthday has our favorite flavor, and tastes great on its own and when mixed into yogurt, oatmeal, and pancakes. 

Rule 1 Whey uses a blend of whey concentrate, whey isolate, and whey hydrolysate. This blend makes it versatile and suitable for use at any time of day. 

It works great as a post-workout protein but will provide more satiety than something like Iso100 which is exclusively fast-digesting protein.

Rule 1 has 24g of protein per scoop and 130 calories, making it around 74% protein per scoop. This puts it right at the upper limit of a reasonable protein source, and on the cusp of breaching our criteria for a good protein source. 

For reference, we consider a reasonable protein source to be one that falls between 65% and 74% protein per scoop, and a good protein source falls between 75% and 84%. 

Rule 1 Whey is gluten-free, and the company guarantees that there is no amino acid spiking in their formula. 

Rule 1 retails for anywhere between $1.29 and $1.59 per serving. 

It’s a great option for anyone who is looking for a budget-friendly, multi-purpose protein powder. 

• Related Article: Check out my full review of Rule 1 Protein

Highlights

• Gluten-free formula with no banned substances or creamers

• Low cost per serving

• Great tasting and mixes easily

Drawbacks

• Uses artificial food coloring (Red #40, Yellow #6, Blue #1) in the sprinkles

• Will have lactose and may be more reactive to individuals with dairy sensitivities

4. Best Naturally Sweetened: Legion Whey+

Overall Rating: 

• 4/5

Key Features:

• Price: $$$ ($2.00 per serving)
• Calories: 120
• Protein Content: 22g (73% calories from protein)
• Fat: 2g
• Carbs: 2g 
• Sugar: 1g 
• Protein Source: Whey Isolate made with Truly Grass Fed™ milk

Our Thoughts

Legion Whey+ is definitely on the higher end for cost per serving, at $2.00 per serving. 

When we compare other products on this list, Rule 1 Whey offers a similar protein percentage per scoop, but costs 40 to 70 cents less per serving. 

Alternatively, other products that hit closer to the $2.00 per serving mark, like Dymatize Iso100, offer more than 90 percent protein per scoop.

While Legion Whey+ isn’t the product for an individual who is on a stricter budget, it IS for the consumer who highly values quality, purity, as well as the quality of life of the animals who produce the milk. 

Legion Whey+ uses whey protein made from cows who are pasture-raised on small dairy farms in Ireland which are certified by a governing body that enforces proper animal welfare, sustainability, and soil and grass management.

Legion Whey+ is sweetened only with stevia, and there are no artificial flavors, food dyes, or chemical additives. 

Admittedly, the taste isn’t as good as some of the other products detailed throughout this article. If you prioritize quality ingredients over good-tasting ingredients, then this is a product worth considering. 

• Check out my full review of Legion Whey 

Highlights

• No artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or chemical additives

• Third-party tested through Labdoor in an NSF-certified facility

• Made with grass-fed whey from cows who are hormone and antibiotic free

• Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, GMO-Free

Drawbacks

• One of the most expensive whey proteins on the market

• Has a low protein percentage per scoop for the price

• Doesn’t taste as good as other birthday cake proteins

5. Best For Baking & Satiety: PEScience Select Protein

Overall Rating: 

• 4.5/5

Key Features:

• Price: $$$ ($1.63-$1.88 per serving)
• Calories: 120
• Protein Content: 24g (80% calories from protein)
• Fat: 1g
• Carbs: 2g 
• Sugar: 1g 
• Protein Source: Milk Isolate, Casein, Whey Concentrate 

Our Thoughts

I may have taken the liberty of choosing this one since it’s technically cake pop-flavored and not necessarily birthday cake flavored, but this protein is too good to be kept off of the list. 

PEScience Select could be crowned as both the best for baking and the best for satiety. 

The addition of casein protein gives this protein a thicker texture and will be slower to digest than the whey isolates and concentrate blends we’ve discussed in this article. 

Casein protein also tends to be a preferred option for baking, so if you are looking to make pancakes or other protein-rich baking recipes, this is a great option to try. 

Personally, I whisk this protein powder up with eggs and a splash of milk to make a high-protein french toast batter that my whole family loves. 

Taste-wise, I found it less strong in flavor than the other birthday cake proteins, and had a nice “sweet without being too sweet” experience. 

PEScience is gluten-free and will be suitable for anyone with a gluten allergy. 

That being said, casein protein tends to be more reactive than whey, and the fact that this protein has some remaining lactose in it means that it might cause negative side effects like gas or bloating. 

The cost per serving ($1.63 – $1.88) is definitely on the high end, however, we’ve seen other proteins like Legion Whey cost the same with a lower protein percentage per scoop. 

If it’s within your budget and you’re looking for a protein that is suitable for use as part of a meal or in between meals, opt for PEScience Select.  

• Check out my full review of PE Science Protein 

Highlights

• Made with whey and casein, providing a best-of-all-worlds user experience

• Offers a good protein percentage per scoop

• Gluten free

Drawbacks

• Will have lactose, and casein protein tends to be more reactive in people with milk allergies, so this might not digest well for people with milk sensitivities 

• Is on the more expensive side of the scale, but this price is justified given the high quality and protein percentage

Key Criteria: How To Choose The Best Birthday Cake Protein 

Taste/Flavor

Since we’re assessing Birthday Cake flavored proteins, it was important to take the overall taste experience into consideration. 

We assessed taste here based on sweetness level, taste level, and how it tasted mixed with both plain water and mixed into other products

Why you should care:

• If you’re here, you’re looking for a birthday cake-flavored protein. You’re going to want to know upfront that the product you’re looking to buy actually has a good birthday cake taste. 

Price

We break down the cost per serving, and in some cases level it out to reflect similar serving sizes. For instance, some products listed in this article have 19g of protein per serving while others have 25g. 

We level the playing field to compare products based on similar serving sizes to make sure the cost is an accurate reflection of a product’s value. 

Why you should care: 

• Some companies might try to manipulate serving sizes to be able to advertise more scoops in their products versus their competitors or to give the appearance of a lower cost per serving. 

• You want to know that what you are investing in has a price that is reflective of the quality

Protein Percent of Calories

To calculate the protein percent of calories, we take the total grams of protein in a product and multiply that by 4. Then we divide that by the total number of calories in a product. 

By doing this, we find out what percentage of the calories in your protein powder comes from actual protein 

Why you should care:

• There’s a delicate balance between cost and quality

• Since you’re investing in a protein, it’s important that as much of your money goes towards protein as possible

• We want to help you find the highest possible protein percentage that falls within your budget

Mixability

Mixability refers to how easily and how completely a protein powder dissolves. We mix our powders into water and milk, as well as stir them into other foods like oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt, or baking. 

Why you should care:

• There are a lot of ways to consume protein powder

• For some users, texture is a huge issue and some people are not comfortable drinking protein powders that have clumps or a chalky residue

• We give you as much information as possible so that you don’t end up with a product that you don’t like

Satiety

Satiety is a measure of how long a protein powder keeps you full. Typically, whey isolates will digest the fastest, followed by whey concentrates, and the slowest digesting is casein protein. 

Why you should care:

• There are a lot of different reasons why you might be using your protein powder

• If you are looking for a post-workout protein, then you want to opt for a faster digesting option, like a whey isolate, to optimize recovery

• If you are looking for something to keep you full as part of a meal or between meals, then you might want something that has a higher percentage of whey concentrate or casein

Our Testing Methodology Explained 

We have a dedicated team of personal trainers and nutrition coaches who work hard and take pride in the fact that we personally try and test as many products as possible. 

Each of the products mentioned in this article has already been thoroughly reviewed by our team. 

You can read the following in-depth reviews already published on Feastgood.com:

• Dymatize Iso 100
• MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate*
• Legion Whey+
• PEScience Select

Note: The MyProtein review was done specifically on the Impact Whey Isolate, where the product that I mention in this article as Best For Budget is the Impact Whey (which is their whey concentrate).

Rule 1 Whey is not listed above, yet, but the review is in progress and will be published in March 2023. 

When we receive these products, we review every aspect of the product from the physical containers that they arrive in, to the experience of consuming the protein. 

Since we understand that not everyone is going to use the protein powders in the same way, we try a variety of testing methods so that we can give the most thorough feedback possible. 

For instance, we will always try the protein powder mixed with water, and we will try various mixing methods like a protein shaker cup, a blender, or a simple spoon and glass. 

We will also try mixing it in a variety of other ways, such as in milk, oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, or other recipes. This lets us provide more feedback on texture, taste, and mixability. 

Reference

Sarah Kobylewski & Michael F. Jacobson (2012) Toxicology of food dyes, International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 18:3, 220-246, DOI: 10.1179/1077352512Z.00000000034