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This chocolate protein cake for one is the ultimate macro-friendly dessert. It is soft, moist and so chocolatey that you’ll never guess it is also healthy. Just 329 calories for the whole cake!
What about eating an entire cake for breakfast and still be healthy?
Well, I have good news. With this single serve protein cake recipe you can finally have a whole chocolate cake. For breakfast, as a snack or dessert…Whenever you want!
From single single protein brownie to my “one-banana” banana bread, I love small batch recipes. They are so convenient for when you crave dessert but don’t want to bake for a crowd. Or for when you want an entire cake just for yourself, and can have this macro friendly cake for one!
Macro-friendly cake ingredients
Making this single serve protein cake is so simple. You only need a handful of healthy ingredients that can easily be replaced. No need for oil nor butter!
Curious to learn more? Here’s what this mini chocolate protein cake recipe calls for, together with details and substitutes.
- Oat flour: use homemade or store-bought oat flour, gluten-free if necessary. As an alternative you can utilize any flour you prefer, best if it is unrefined.
- Protein powder: this recipe works best with vegan protein powder, casein or a mix of casein and whey. Using only whey, instead, is not recommended as it will dry out and ruin the texture of the cake. If you don’t have protein powder, you can replace with more oat flour or almond flour.
- Cocoa powder: for a healthier cake, make sure to use natural cocoa powder without added sugars.
- Granulated sweetener: for a sugar-free mini protein cake, this recipe uses erythirol. You can replace with any granular sweetener of your choice, such as coconut sugar or brown sugar.
- Egg: if you follow a vegan diet or can’t eat eggs, replace with one flaxseed egg or chia egg.
- Greek yogurt: this recipe works out with any thick yogurt of your choice – dairy or nondairy – as long as it has a firm texture. For more protein and fewer calories, this recipe uses nonfat Greek yogurt.
- Milk of choice: both dairy and nondairy milk can be used to make this macro-friendly cake for one
- Baking powder: necessary to make this single serve protein cake rise!
For a more indulgent experience, I like topping this macro friendly protein cake with my low calorie Nutella and some sugar-free chocolate chips. If you prefer, skip the topping. But if you want to go the extra mile, then follow my advice and have the topping. It will change the experience completely!
How to make protein cake for one
Start by combining in a bowl all the dry ingredients – oat flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, granulated sweetener and baking powder.
Add to the dry ingredients egg, Greek yogurt and milk of choice. Stir to combine, adding more milk if the batter is too dry or more flour if too liquid – this depends on the protein powder that you are using.
Fold a mini round baking dish (12 cm or 4.7 inches diameter) with parchment paper or grease with little oil so that the chocolate keto cake does not stick.
Transfer the chocolate cake batter to baking dish and bake in hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
Let cool and serve with my low calorie Nutella and chocolate chips, if you desire.
Best protein powder for cake
This single serve protein cake recipe uses (chocolate) casein protein powder. After trying this recipe a couple of times, I have found that both casein and vegan protein powders work exceptionally. Use one of the two options and you’ll get a moist chocolate protein cake for one.
When I made it with whey, instead, the single serve protein cake turned out quite dry. The reason is that whey protein dries when heated, therefore it is not a good option for making this recipe. If you still want to use whey, an option is to mix it with casein so that it doesn’t dry that much.
In terms of flavor, this recipe comes out really great with unflavored, chocolate or vanilla protein powder. Theoretically you could you use any flavor you like, but I honestly prefer simple flavors.
Dairy-free protein cake for one
If you follow a dairy-free diet, I have good news. Making dairy-free protein chocolate cake for one is as simple as replacing the Greek yogurt and the milk with plant based alternatives. The result won’t change!
Here are some great alternatives that you can utilize to make this macro-friendly chocolate cake for one.
- How to replace Greek yogurt? Substitute Greek yogurt with any plant based yogurt of your choice, provided that it has a firm texture. My recommendations are soy Greek yogurt or soy Skyr and coconut yogurt.
- How to replace milk? Unlike for Greek yogurt, when it comes to milk you have more freedom. Utilize your favorite plant based milk – such as soy, almond, cashew or peanut milk. I personally like unsweetened soy milk: it is perfect for baking and adds more protein to my recipes.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
If you still have doubts, here are some of the most frequently asked questions on how to make protein chocolate cake for one.
- How to make vegan protein cake for one? Although I haven’t tested it yet, you can replace the egg with one flaxseed egg (“flaxegg”) or chia egg and make a vegan protein cake. Of course, opt for plant based yogurt and milk!
- How to replace protein powder? You can replace protein powder with oat flour, almond flour or any flour of your choice. However, keep in mind that the protein content of your cake will be lower.
- How to make single serve protein cake in the microwave? Although I do not recommend it, you can still prepare this chocolate cake for one in the microwave. Add the batter to a microwave-safe bowl (12 cm or 4.7 inches in diameter) and cook on high for 2 to 3 minutes. But let me tell you already that the result won’t be the same, as your protein cake will turn out quite dry and soggy.
- How to make a larger protein cake? Making this recipe for more servings is as easy as a pie! All you have to do is increasing the ingredients proportionally, times the number of servings you want to get. The procedure remains the same, with the only difference that you’ll need to bake your macro-friendly cake in a larger dish.
- How to store this cake? After baking, allow your protein chocolate cake to cool, then seal it in an airtight food container or zipping bag. Before serving, quickly reheat in hot oven for a couple of minutes or microwave for a couple of seconds.
More protein cake recipes
- Moist protein banana bread
- Protein lava cake
- Protein brownie skillet for one
- Apple protein baked oats
Chocolate Protein Cake for One
Ingredients
- 20 grams (1/4 cup) oat flour
- 20 grams (1/4 cup) protein powder (casein or vegan, see notes*)
- 15 grams (2 tbsp) cocoa powder
- 1 to 1/2 tbsp granular sweetener (to taste, see notes*)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg
- 45 grams (3 tbsp) Greek yogurt
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) preferred milk
Topping
- 2 tbsp low calorie Nutella (recipe here)
- chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 Cº (350 Fº).
- In a bowl combine all dry ingredients – oat flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, granulated sweetener and baking powder.
- Add to dry ingredients egg, Greek yogurt and milk of choice. Stir to combine, adding more milk if the batter is too dry or more flour if too liquid (this depends on the protein powder used).
- Fold a round mini baking dish (12 cm or 4.7 inches diameter) with parchment paper or grease with little oil so that the chocolate cake does not stick to the dish.
- Transfer protein cake batter to baking dish and bake in hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Let cool and serve with my low calorie Nutella and chocolate chips, if you desire.
A☆
I haven’t eaten cakes, for their trigger to binge on since I was a child. This recipe, for me, felt safe and less guilt ridden. A delicious and clever recipe substitute for unhealthy desserts or afternoon tea.
I substituted the cocoa with instant coffee to save on calories and it still gave a mocha chocolate flavour ?
Thanks Matt
Lucy
Hey Lucy,
Thank you very much for your comment. I am incredibly happy that you liked my recipe and could finally find a good healthy and high protein cake for your needs. So so grateful for you and your words!!
Stay tuned for more healthy dessert recipes like this then!!
I wish you all the best,
Matteo