A genuinely moist protein cake built on the oldest baking trick there is: pudding in the batter. Here that pudding is Simply Desserts Vanilla Protein Pudding mix, so the same hack that keeps a cake soft and tender also folds in real protein and keeps the added sugar right down. The result is a light, fluffy vanilla cake at about 130 calories and 6g protein per slice, with around 1g of added sugar. Honest heads-up: it is still cake, made with flour, eggs and a little butter, so it is a smarter treat rather than a diet food, and the mix is dairy so the cake is not vegan.
Recipe: Protein Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Simply Desserts Vanilla Protein Pudding Mix
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or oat flour for a whole-grain version)
- 1/2 cup granulated erythritol or monk fruit sweetener
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk (any kind), plus more if needed
- 3 tablespoons melted butter or light oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F (175C) and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Simply Desserts Vanilla Protein Pudding mix, flour, erythritol, baking powder and salt until evenly combined.
- Add the eggs, Greek yogurt, milk, melted butter and vanilla. Whisk to a smooth, pourable batter. If it feels too thick, add another splash of milk a tablespoon at a time.
- Pour the batter into the lined pan and level the top.
- Bake for 22 to 27 minutes, until the top springs back to a light touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out and cut into 9 squares. The crumb firms up as it cools.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130 |
| Protein | 6g |
| Fat | 6g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Fiber | 1g |
Why This Recipe Works
Bakers have stirred instant pudding into cake batter for decades because the starch and emulsifiers hold moisture and stop the crumb drying out. Simply Desserts Vanilla Protein Pudding mix does exactly that job, with a bonus: its base is milk protein isolate and concentrate rather than sugar and cornflour alone, so it carries the moisture and adds protein at the same time. The Greek yogurt and eggs layer in more protein and structure, while the erythritol and stevia in the mix mean almost none of the sweetness comes from sugar. You get a tender, bakery-style vanilla cake that happens to be higher in protein and very low in added sugar, without the dry, rubbery texture that plain protein powder gives baked goods.
Simply Desserts is a real dessert brand, not a protein supplement company trying to make dessert. That means genuine flavour, creamy texture, and clean ingredients. Each serving delivers about 6g of protein, and the Simply Desserts pudding base stays sugar-free (any sugar comes from your mix-ins).
Variations
Chocolate Protein Cake
Use Simply Desserts Chocolate Protein Pudding mix and add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a rich chocolate protein cake.
Protein Frosting
Whisk a second box of Simply Desserts pudding mix with just enough milk to make a thick, spreadable frosting, then chill and spread over the cooled cake for extra protein.
Whole-Grain / Gluten-Free
Swap the all-purpose flour for the same amount of oat flour (or a gluten-free blend) for a denser, whole-grain crumb. The pudding mix itself is certified gluten-free.
Loaf or Mug Cake
Bake the batter in a lined loaf tin (add a few minutes), or microwave a few spoonfuls in a mug for 60 to 80 seconds for a single-serve protein mug cake.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a protein cake with pudding mix?
Whisk 1 box of Simply Desserts Vanilla Protein Pudding mix with 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup erythritol, baking powder and salt. Stir in 3 eggs, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup milk, 3 tablespoons melted butter and vanilla, then bake in an 8x8 pan at 350F for 22 to 27 minutes. The pudding mix keeps the cake moist and adds protein.
How much protein is in this protein cake?
Cut into 9 squares, each slice works out to roughly 6g of protein. The Simply Desserts pudding mix contributes 20g protein per box, and the eggs, Greek yogurt and milk add the rest. It is an honest calculated figure, more protein than a regular cake without claiming to be a protein bar.
Is this protein cake healthy or sugar-free?
It is very low in added sugar, around 1g per slice, because the Simply Desserts mix is sweetened with erythritol and stevia rather than sugar. But it is still cake: the flour, eggs and butter mean it is not fat-free or calorie-free. Think higher-protein, low-added-sugar treat rather than diet food.
Why is my protein cake dry or rubbery?
Dry, rubbery protein cake usually comes from plain protein powder or overbaking. Using a protein pudding mix like Simply Desserts helps because its starch and emulsifiers hold moisture. Pull the cake as soon as a toothpick comes out clean and the top springs back, and do not overbake.
Can I make this protein cake gluten-free?
Yes. Swap the all-purpose flour for oat flour or a gluten-free flour blend in the same amount. The Simply Desserts pudding mix itself is certified gluten-free, so only the flour needs changing.
Try Vanilla Protein Pudding
20g protein per box. Zero sugar. Real dessert flavour. Ready in 2 minutes.
