Cinnamon Sugar Protein Cake Bars (Low Calorie)

These cinnamon sugar protein cake bars are exactly what you need when dieting! They’re low fat, packed with 8g of protein per bar and just 5g of carbs. The perfect high volume cake when you want to eat a lot of cake but don’t want all the calories that come with it. Plus since it’s so low calorie you have lots of room for yummy toppings!

If you’ve been around for a while, you know that I am all about volume eating when it comes to dieting. I love a good slice of cake, don’t get me wrong. But if I am dieting, I would much rather consume more physical food as opposed to a smaller, more calorie-dense piece of something. Maybe not all the time (like on holidays for example). But if it’s Tuesday night and I want dessert, I usually would much rather opt for something more macro-friendly and high volume.

So I came up with this cake recipe when I was in a dieting phase because I wanted to eat A LOT of cake without going way over my calorie goals for the day. And for a low fat, low carb, high protein cake, it turned out way better than I expected!

And let me tell you, this recipe along with some of my other favorite low calories recipes (like this Cookies and Cream Protein Shake and this Strawberry Protein Angel Food Cake) has been a huge part in helping me to reach my goals. Literally with this recipe, I CAN have my cake and eat it too! Y’all know I had to say that phrase at some point in this post right?

Besides being able to eat a good portion of it because of it’s stellar macro profile (I usually eat 1/3 the pan in one sitting for a snack). It also makes me feel good knowing it’s made with healthy ingredients too. Applesauce, egg whites, coconut flour and protein powder make the main components of this cake. Coconut flour has a lot less carbs than typical flour which really helps cut the calories and carbs down for this cake.

And since it is so low calorie (just 61 calories per slice!) you have plenty of room to add fun toppings!!! To really take it over the top, spread some whipped cream cheese frosting or some Nutella on top. Seriously who said dieting had to be boring?!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE PROTEIN CAKE BARS

• Low calorie, low carb, low fat, high protein – 61 calories, 5g carbs, 1g fat, 8 protein!
• Perfect dessert for dieting! Since they’re such high volume for very low calories. AKA more cake for less calories.
• Just takes 30 minutes to bake – although I do recommend letting these bars chill in the fridge for a few hours first, they’re so much better that way, texture and flavor wise!
• LOTS of room for yummy toppings – Nutella, whipped frosting, peanut butter, you can’t go wrong!

INGREDIENTS

• Protein powder – I used PEScience (code Laurenfitfoodie to save!) Most protein powders should work though, I would just recommend a whey + casein blend or a vegan protein powder over a just whey protein powder for similar texture!
• Coconut flour – Coconut flour is what makes this cake so low calorie. I wish there was an equal substitute, but unfortunately coconut flour has different absorbent properties than all other flours. And for that reason, there is not an equal sub to it in recipes. You could use all-purpose or oat flour but you would need to use 3-4x as much.
• Butter extract – I like McCormick and Watkins. Both are great and oh my goodness I cannot tell you the difference this addition makes! Butter-flavored explosion. But if in a pinch you can use vanilla extract or another favorite extract.
• Butterscotch pudding mix – you can use any flavor but butterscotch is my favorite!
• Egg
• Egg whites
• Unsweetened applesauce – brings a yummy sweetness to this cake! I haven’t tried, but you could try subbing with canned pumpkin, you may just need to add more sweetener. Mashed banana would probably work too!
• Pumpkin – I added a little bit of pumpkin to give it more depth but if you don’t want to open a new can, just add an extra 2 tablespoons of the applesauce!
• Cinnamon
• Sweetener – use your favorite sweetener here! I used monk fruit sweetener to keep calories down but normal sugar is great too when you don’t plan on adding much for toppings and want that extra good sugary crunch!

HOW TO MAKE PROTEIN CAKE BARS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (flour through baking powder).
3. In a separate larger bowl, add the egg and egg whites. Use a hand mixer to combine. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix again.
4. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and continue mixing until all ingredients are mixed well.
5. Pour batter into the dish, and then sprinkle with cinnamon and sweetener.
6. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Let cool before slicing and enjoy!