Happy Birthday Dr. Myers - Protein Birthday Cake - Amy Myers MD®

Dr. Myers’ Protein Birthday Cake

Written by Amy Myers, MD

It’s my birthday! To celebrate, I want to share my special protein birthday cake recipe with you. This three-tiered cake features a delicious strawberry base with vanilla icing on top. It includes a blend of fresh strawberries and coconut milk. I also make it with coconut and arrowroot flour. That makes this gluten-free, dairy-free, and The Myers Way® approved!

Did I mention this healthy birthday cake is also packed with protein? It’s so important to maintain lean muscle mass. This is especially true for women as we age. Maintaining strong muscles involves getting enough grams of protein per day. If you feel stuck in a rut with your protein intake, it’s time to get creative! Thankfully, you can do just that with this protein birthday cake. I use two delicious paleo protein powders in this cake. The batter includes Strawberries & Cream Paleo Protein, and Vanilla Bean Paleo Protein goes into the icing. Both of these superstars work together to support healthy muscles, joints, skin and more!

All ingredients to make protein birthday cake - Protein Birthday Cake - Amy Myers MD®

How Many Grams of Protein Per Day For a Woman?

Getting enough protein is imperative to living a long and healthy life. After all, protein plays a role in nearly every cellular function in the body. It provides structure and support for tissues and organs, including muscles. It keeps you full and curbs cravings1 In addition, protein helps antibodies fight off viruses and bacteria.

As you age, your biology changes. With those changes comes a decline in muscle mass. This is especially true after menopause. These changes can include reduced estrogen in the body. Similar to a ripple effect, this has an impact on the rest of your body, including reduced musculoskeletal function2 If you’re not staying active and consuming enough protein, this can lead to bone and muscle weakness.

Adding a scoop of Strawberries and Cream Paleo Protein - Protein Birthday Cake - Amy Myers MD®

How To Increase Protein Intake

You may be wondering how to increase protein intake. While that’s a great place to start, simply increasing protein may not be enough for some women. You need a specific goal to work towards. That said, how many grams of protein per day for a woman? First, let me start by saying that women have different protein needs throughout their life. The RDA recommends women get at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. This means a 150-pound woman should consume at least 54 grams of protein. However, this is the bare minimum.

To ensure you get plenty of protein, I recommend women consume at least 30 grams of protein in the morning. Aim for between 20 and 30 grams of protein at lunch. Around dinnertime, end the day with between 15 and 20 grams of protein. Avoid heavy protein meals in the evening, as this can lead to indigestion. It’s crucial to look for sources of high protein to help you get enough grams per day. If you’re looking for tips on how to increase protein intake, my paleo protein powder makes it easy!

Paleo Protein Powder

There are many sources of high protein out there. Eating organic meat, poultry, fish or eggs are options. In addition, adding quality paleo protein powder easily fills in the gap! The Strawberries & Cream Paleo Protein powder I use in the cake base provides 21 grams of protein per serving. I made sure to source it from non-GMO, hormone-free, grass-fed beef. It’s also hydrolyzed for maximum absorption. Did I mention how good it tastes? It’s a hint of summer in every scoop!

The Vanilla Bean Paleo Protein powder I use also holds all the same goodness as the Strawberries & Cream flavor. It’s formulated without gluten, dairy, or soy. This paleo protein powder nourishes your body from the inside out. I use this flavor in the icing of my protein birthday cake. 

Baked caked in pan - Protein Birthday Cake - Amy Myers MD®

Protein Birthday Cake

Baking this protein birthday cake is so much fun! First, I wash and dice the strawberries. Set them aside for now. You will use half the strawberries for the cake itself, and the other half for the decoration on top. 

Combine the coconut milk and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Let sit for five minutes. You’ll notice it begin to curdle. Place the Strawberries & Cream Paleo Protein, coconut flour, tiger nut flour, and arrowroot starch in a large bowl. Next, add your baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Whisk to combine. 

In the small bowl with the coconut milk, add in your coconut sugar and vanilla extract. Give it a good stir to mix completely. After this, you will add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Fold gently. Make sure you don’t overmix the batter. This helps keep it light and fluffy. The batter will be much thicker than regular batter. Next, gently fold in your strawberries. Don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to take a taste test!

Gently pour ⅓ of the batter into each of the prepared pans. You can use a spatula or the back of a spoon to make sure the top is smooth. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs when inserted, it’s done! Remove the cake and let it cool. You want the cake to cool completely before icing.

Vanilla Protein Icing

Ingredients for birthday cake icing - Protein Birthday Cake - Amy Myers MD®

To make the icing, I place four scoops of Vanilla Bean Paleo Protein powder and two cans of coconut whipped cream in a bowl. Blend until smooth. Add your strawberries, and mash until they’re in small pieces. Place in the fridge to keep cool until you’re ready to frost the cake!

Protein cake icing - Protein Birthday Cake - Amy Myers MD®

Once the cake is completely cooled, ice the first layer of cake with frosting and top with ½ cup sliced strawberries. Gently place the second cake layer on top and ice. Top with strawberries.

Finally, add the third cake layer and ice the entire cake. Top with the remaining strawberries. 

Birthday cake with strawberries on top - Protein Birthday Cake - Amy Myers MD®

Happy and Healthy Birthday 

Keeping protein intake a priority is essential to enjoying optimal health, even on your birthday! As a woman, your body changes through every life season. This is especially true after you reach menopause. The loss of muscle mass that comes with aging happens to everyone. However, getting enough high sources of protein can slow this process down. Thankfully, knowing how to increase protein intake is easy thanks to my paleo protein powders! Both my Vanilla Bean Paleo Protein powder and Strawberries & Cream Paleo Protein support healthy muscles, tissue repair, and cellular function in a tasty and easy-to-use way.

Every birthday is a reminder of how blessed I am. Despite the years of struggling with my own health, it led me to helping thousands of others. Truly, that’s the best birthday gift – helping all of you take back and reclaim your health! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to share this special protein birthday cake recipe with you!

Birthday cake slices with Strawberries and Cream Paleo Protein - Protein Birthday Cake - Amy Myers MD®

Dr. Myers’ Protein Birthday Cake

Course:

Dessert

Servings:

8-10 slices

Prep Time:

30 minutes

Cook Time:

45 minutes

Ingredients

Protein Birthday Cake Batter
Icing

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F
  2. Add parchment paper rounds to the bottom of 3 x 8 inch round cake pan and lightly oil the sides with coconut oil.
  3. Finely dice 1 cup of the strawberries and keep aside.
  4. Slice the remaining 1/2 cup of strawberries into halves for decorating the top of the cake.
  5. In a small bowl, combine coconut milk and apple cider vinegar. Allow to sit for at least five minutes for it to curdle.
  6. In a large bowl add Strawberries and Cream Paleo protein, coconut flour, tiger nut flour, arrowroot starch, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt, and stir until just combined.
  7. Add the coconut sugar and vanilla to the coconut milk and vinegar and stir to combine.
  8. Add the coconut milk mixture to the flour and fold until combined, being careful not to over mix. The mixture will be thicker than a normal cake batter.
  9. Gently fold in the finely diced strawberries.
  10. Transfer ⅓ of the batter to each of the prepared pans. Use a flat spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth out the top.
  11. Bake in the middle rack of the oven for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs when inserted.
  12. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least five minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Icing
  1. Using a hand blender, whip the coconut cream until creamy.
  2. Add vanilla paleo protein powder and blend until combined.
  3. Using a fork, mash the strawberries and fold in just until combined.
  4. Pop back into the fridge until you are ready to start icing.
Building & Decorating the Cake
  1. Take the first cake layer and top with vanilla paleo protein powder icing.
  2. Top with ½ cup sliced strawberries.
  3. Add the second cake, top with vanilla paleo protein powder icing and another ½ cup sliced strawberries.
  4. Add the third cake layer and ice the entire cake.
  5. Top with the sliced strawberries.