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About This Recipe
Ever since I got my new Ninja IQ blender, I’ve been whipping up protein shakes and smoothies like a little kid who got her favorite toy on Christmas! (Thank you, Memorial Day sales!)
Don’t get me wrong, I love my Kitchen Aide Food Processor, and it is still the best at shredding carrots, zucchini, making cauliflower rice, and most importantly, the BEST Protein Fluff.
But the Ninja IQ does wonders in creating the SMOOTHEST milkshake-like texture ever, especially with protein powder!
In my shake and smoothie frenzy, I whipped up this Birthday Cake Protein Milkshake, and let me tell ya. It’s creamy. It’s delicious. And it’ll make you feel like it really is your birthday, even when it’s not!
Just like my Cookies and Cream Protein Shake or Pumpkin Protein Shake, this ‘milkshake’ is made with a protein powder base, so no need to feel guilty about enjoying it to curb your sweet tooth.
Because it’s lower in calories, you’ve got plenty of room to add your favorite toppings like sprinkles, crushed Oreos, chocolate syrup, fresh fruit—whatever you like!
Why You’ll Love This Birthday Cake Protein Milkshake
- Satisfy your cravings while keeping calories down!
- The protein powder base of this ‘milkshake’ creates a super balanced treat.
- Made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
- So easy to make! Literally, just blend and enjoy!!
- Perfect milkshake texture! Oh so creamy!
- This is a ginormous dessert. It makes so much!
- Plenty of room for your favorite toppings.
- Protein powder – I used PEScience Cake Pop. A subtle flavor like cake pop or vanilla works best for this recipe. If you wish to use another protein powder, just make sure it is one that is also a whey + casein blend. For all Pescience products, you can use my affiliate code LaurenFitFoodie to save 10% off your purchase.
- Ice cream – Just a little is enough to make your milkshake super creamy. I love using Edy’s Slow Churned French Vanilla.
- Cake Batter extract – The real punch that gives this milkshake that true cake batter flavor. I use McCormick’s.
- Rainbow sprinkles – what is a birthday cake shake without sprinkles?!
- Stevia – I use Natrisweet Stevia Liquid Drops.
- Xanthan gum – Helps create thickness. I use Bob’s Red Mill.
- Almond milk – You can also use cashew, oat, or whatever other milk you wish to use!
- Ice – For the best consistency, make sure it’s fresh!
How To Make
- Add ingredients (except) sprinkles to blender.
- Blend!
- Pour into a glass or bowl; then top/stir in sprinkles, and sip up!
Really, that’s it! Depending on your blender, you may need to shake around or stir the ingredients with a spoon to make sure all the ice is broken up. Do this until you achieve your desired consistency. Then add your sprinkles on top. Or stir them them in like I like to do. Blending them with the shake breaks them up too much for me personally, but I still love having them in each bite!
Tips For The Best Consistency
- Use a good quality blender – I am not saying you need to get the Ninja IQ like me. Obviously, use what you have and try to make it work. But I will say that the appliance you use does matter here. You need a blender or food processor that is strong enough to break the ice up. Otherwise, the consistency of your milkshake will be off.
- Use fresh ice – It breaks up and blends better!
- Measure your ingredients – I am also NOT saying you need to buy a food scale, but it really makes life so much easier. The ratio of ingredients is important for overall consistency and the digital scale helps so much. And you’ll have less measuring cups to clean!
- Use a good quality protein powder – Not all protein powders blend equally. A whey + casein blend is used for this recipe. I used PEScience Cake Pop. It doesn’t have a weird protein taste and brings an amazing texture. I know there are other good brands too, I just don’t have much experience experimenting with other brands (PEScience makes me happy enough) – so if you do use another, just make sure you know it’s a good brand 🙂
- Use Xanthan gum – You could technically omit this, but if you have it on hand, go ahead and add a little! It helps a ton with achieving the thickness we are looking for. I would stick to 1/4 tsp, though. Anything more and things start to get weird! 😂
- Sprinkles – yes, more sprinkles. There is no such thing as too much, okay?! I usually add another teaspoon on top, sometimes two!
- Cool whip – my FAVORITE. The creaminess a little cool whip adds is unreal! I will typically add 4 tablespoons of light cool whip. Fat free doesn’t taste great to me but the light is just heavenly.
- Reddi whip and marshmallow fluff are also delicious options to add on top.
- Black cocoa– this stuff is magic, slightly stirring some in after it’s blended does wonders in bringing a “cookies and cream” vibe to this shake.
- PBfit – or another brand of peanut butter powder. Can’t explain the amazing flavor this brings when slightly mixed in either. Too good. You will just need to try it for yourself!
- Cookies, Brownies, other sweet treats – some of favorite dessert additions to add have been the Funfetti Protein Cookie Dough, Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars, and No-Bake Oreo Protein Balls.
- Cereal – for a crunch! I love adding Puffed Rice cereal, Lucky Charms and Fruity Pebbles!
- Candy – no brainer right!? Mini M&M’s, Miniature Reese’s and crumbled up Kit Kat’s are some of the best!
Do I have to use the NinjaIQ blender?
My favorite blender is the Ninja IQ. You don’t have to have this blender to make the milkshake, but I will say that the appliance you use does matter. Your blender needs to be strong enough to break up the ice so you achieve the best consistency. You may find using a food processor to be helpful!
What does Xanthan gum do?
Xanthan gum helps achieve the thickness we are looking for. I would stick to 1/4 tsp because too much can cause a weird consistency. You can also choose to omit if you wish.
Can I make this birthday cake protein milkshake in advance?
I highly recommend making this milkshake right before enjoying for optimal consistency! If you make this milkshake too far in advance, it will get melty and thinner. If you place it in the freezer, it may freeze to quickly and be hard to drink.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Birthday Cake Protein Milkshake
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Cake Pop or Vanilla protein powder (31g) I used PEScience Cake Pop
- 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (180g) or other milk of choice
- 200 g ice cubes
- 3 Tbsp vanilla ice cream (45g) I used Edy's Slow Churned French Vanilla
- 1 tsp cake batter extract
- 1/4 tsp Xanthan gum
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp liquid stevia to taste
- 1 tsp sprinkles (4g) for topping, plus more if desired
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Instructions
- Add all the ingredients (except sprinkles) to your Ninja IQ. Press start and blend for 10 seconds to get things going; then press the Auto IQ button and blend for the full cycle. (If using another blender, just make sure it is one that is powerful enough to crush the ice!)
- When done, take it out and test. If it needs more sweetness, add more stevia. If it needs to be thinner, add more milk. If it needs to be thicker, add 2-3 ice cubes. Blend again until desired consistency is reached.
- Transfer to bowl (room for more toppings!) or a large glass. Top with sprinkles and whatever else sounds good and sip up! I like to stir my sprinkles in at the end. Blending them with the shake breaks them up too much for me personally, but I still love having them in each bite.
Notes
- Sprinkles – yes, more sprinkles. There is no such thing as too much, okay?! I usually add another teaspoon on top, sometimes two!
- Cool whip – my FAVORITE. The creaminess a little cool whip adds is unreal! I will typically add 4 tablespoons of light cool whip. Fat free doesn’t taste great to me but the light is just heavenly.
- Reddi whip and marshmallow fluff are also delicious options to add on top.
- Black cocoa– this stuff is magic, slightly stirring some in after it’s blended does wonders in bringing a “cookies and cream” vibe to this shake.
- PBfit – or another brand of peanut butter powder. Can’t explain the amazing flavor this brings when slightly mixed in either. Too good. You will just need to try it for yourself!
- Cookies, Brownies, other sweet treats – some of favorite dessert additions to add have been the Funfetti Protein Cookie Dough, Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars, and No-Bake Oreo Protein Balls.
- Cereal – for a crunch! I love adding Puffed Rice cereal, Lucky Charms and Fruity Pebbles!
- Candy – no brainer right!? Mini M&M’s, Miniature Reese’s and crumbled up Kit Kat’s are some of the best!
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
