These healthy birthday cake energy balls are my favorite healthy snack. Is it because they taste JUST like Milk Bar’s famous Birthday Truffles? Or is it because they’re totally vegan, refined sugar free, gluten-free, and filled with nutrient-rich ingredients that come together in three steps? Yes, and yes. This no bake vegan dessert recipe does more than give you energy. It will also help balance blood sugar, hormones, and boost gut health – all while tasting like you’re splurging on dessert.
These birthday cake energy balls are super easy to make, all you need is a large bowl! They keep for weeks in the freezer or fridge, so you can always have them on hand for the perfect snack or healthy treat.
The best healthy airplane snack idea
If you listened to this Healthier Together podcast episode, you know flying has been one of my biggest fears forever. Even as a super wanderlusty, world traveler who’s lived in England, hopped continents, and currently lives a nomad life with my husband, Zack (check out my Healthy Travel Guides for Durango, St. George, Whitefish and Glacier National Park!), there’s something between the turbulence and trusting the pilot that sets off my anxiety. On top of the AMAZING facts and hacks from the pod that changed my life, one thing that always assuages my anxiety when flying is having these Birthday Cake Energy Balls in my bag. They’re the perfect healthy, homemade airplane snack because they’re SO delicious and taste like dessert, but have all of the nutrients to keep you full throughout a long flight! Before every trip we take, I make a batch of my Milk Bar Birthday Cake Energy Balls before I even start packing my bag. For more healthy airplane snack ideas, you can learn what a gut health expert packs to snack on here.
Healthy ingredients in Birthday Cake Energy Balls
You might be wondering: how did I make an actually healthy version of one of Milk Bar’s best sellers? If you’re new here, that’s kind of my core motivation in life. But honestly, it took A LOT of batches to get these just right and plenty of internet research which led me to an epic discovery: that a teensy bit of almond extract almost exactly mimics that flavor of vanilla cake batter! Especially when you combine it with oat flour and an overdose of vanilla extract. Thus, the Birthday Cake Truffle Energy Ball was born! Here’s what’s inside:
- Cashew butter: I opt for organic, unsalted creamy cashew butter for these energy balls.
- Oat flour: gluten-free oat flour will keep these energy balls together and add plenty of fiber!
- Coconut sugar: a great, refined-sugar free natural sweetener for these birthday cake energy balls.
- Almond and vanilla extracts: as stated, the mixture of these natural extracts gives total vanilla birthday cake vibes.
- Dairy-free milk: just a splash of unsweetened plant-based milk will give these energy bites perfect consistency.
- Fine grain sea salt: this will help make the energy balls flavors pop!
- Organic sprinkles: give your healthy energy bites big birthday cake energy with organic sprinkles (I use these!)
How to make your own oat flour
You can buy gluten-free oat flour from the store OR you can make your own oat flour! It’s so easy. You just blend the oats in the food processor or blender until it’s a fine powder. It takes less than five seconds.
Make no bake energy balls in 3 steps
- Add all ingredients except the sprinkles to a large bowl and use your hands to mix it well until combined and smooth. The mixture will be on the dry side, so knead the batter until it turns into a big, smooth ball.
- Mix in the organic sprinkles, if desired.
- Use your hands to roll the batter into 8 energy balls, placing them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Place the energy balls in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill. Store in the fridge until ready to eat.
How to store and freeze these energy balls
To store: these birthday cake energy balls will stay fresh in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
To freeze: place the vegan energy balls in a sealed container for up to 6 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat one, I recommend letting them soften up a bit at room temperature.
More healthy birthday cake dessert recipes:
5-Minute Healthy Birthday Cake Freezer Fudge
Healthy Birthday Cake Batter Milkshake
Dairy Free Birthday Cake Latte
Birthday Cake Batter Banana Bread (grain free)
Enjoy, and tag me if you make it on Instagram (@lizmoody)—I can’t wait to see!
Print
Healthy Milk Bar Birthday Cake Energy Balls
- Yield: 8 energy balls 1x
Ingredients
- 2.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons unsalted creamy cashew butter
- 1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 4 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 2/3 cup oat flour
- 1.5 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened non dairy milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon of organic sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except for the sprinkles) to a large bowl. Mix it together with your hands and knead it until it forms a smooth ball.
- If using sprinkles, add them to the mix and combine with your hands until well distributed.
- Roll into 8 balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes and either enjoy or save for later!
