Funny thing about me is I actually don't really love too many sweets and birthday cake is usually a little too much for me, but birthday cake flavor is delicious. So I made these healthier birthday cake energy balls and obviously had to use sprinkles. They add such a nice touch and what is a birthday cake without sprinkles? Sad, it's a sad freakin' cake. These were so good, they didn't last longer than 24 hours in my house... so you've been warned.

Birthday Cake Energy Balls

I was sooooo happy when I received this months package from Manitoba Harvest! I am an ambassador for them and I use their hemp hearts ALL THE TIME, seriously I sprinkle them on everything. This month was a big deal for them as they are turning 20! So they sent along a sample of some rainbow coloured sprinkles to try from Colorful Kitchen. And I knew I wanted to make these birthday cake energy balls.

Energy Balls Are My JAM!

I love making energy balls, you can see previous ones, here, and definitely check out these PB&J ones. But, I usually go for chocolate ones... this time I wanted something vanilla and cake-y while still having some high quality ingredients as well. Enter, coconut butter. This stuff is basically like crack, it's so delicious and even quite addictive. Especially when you melt it and dip pretty much anything in it. A square of chocolate, sure, a piece of toast, yup, literally anything tastes better dipped in coconut butter.

What I've been LOVING lately!

Also, I've been adding collagen from vital proteins to just about anything lately (1 scoop per day) and I have been so impressed with the benefits I've noticed. I have previously used other collagen in the past, but they always had a bit of an after taste and this one has zero taste at all. It mixes perfectly when blended in a hot drink, like my morning matcha or in these birthday cake energy balls. The addition of collagen not only bumps up the protein, but it is also a superstar ingredient for your hair, skin and nails and I am all about that!

‍The Love for Pearl and Collagen is REAL

Recently, over on Instagram, I shared some of my early thoughts on both the vital proteins collagen and Sun Potion pearl powder (use the code JACLYN10 for 10% off at Purefeast). I've been using them daily and the benefits have only gotten better. The pearl powder has been something I had been eyeing for a while, but didn't want to pay the price. But when Purefeast had 15% off at the Toronto green living show, I bit the bullet and picked it up. I've been so impressed with Sun Potion products because they are made with high quality ingredients. Plus, their products are super concentrated, so you only need a small amount. For example, with the pearl powder, I only use 1/4 tsp per serving, whereas if I were to use a less potent product, I would need to take more.

All about collagen:

• It provides a clean source of protein (1 scoop of vital proteins has 9g of protein)
• Digested and absorbed easily by the body.
• Can improve your hair, skin, nails and joints (it is important to note that this study refers to a collagen that also has hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and minerals as well)
• Can be used in hot or cold beverages, smoothies and baked goods like these birthday cake energy balls.
• Collagen is the building block of our bodies and our bodies cannot synthesize enough collagen on their own, nor do we tend to get enough in our diets.
• Helps to restore gut health and support digestion
• Aids in muscle repair and may help with such inflammatory conditions like arthritis, early research is promising.
• Your body's ability to produce collagen declines as we age.

All about pearl powder:

• Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have long advocated ingesting pearl powder, so this is not a new trend by any means.
• Beneficial topically on the skin as well, mix with water (or rose water) for a mask, or add to a face cream or other mask.
• Cleopatra was known to use pearl powder in her beauty regimen (good enough for me!)
• It has also been used throughout European history among royal and wealthy families for its beauty and health benefits.
• It is also a balancing adaptogen, which works to calm your mood and help you deal with stress and anxiety.
• According to Ayurveda it's used to help combat heat in the body, bring coolness to the digestive system and balance inflammation in the body.
• Pearl contains over 30 trace minerals, calcium and amino acids that are beneficial for our skin.
• Pearl also contains a special compound known as conchiolin. Conchiolin is what gives pearls their rainbow luminescence. Conchiolin protein has similar effects to keratin, which is one of the proteins in your skin and hair and is able to improve hydration of skin cells, speed up cell metabolism, increase circulation, and help to repair damaged cells.

Optional Ingredients, Always!

When it comes to making these birthday cake energy balls, the pearl and the collagen are of course optional, but the collagen will boost the protein content for sure. 

If you make them, please share with me on social media, I LOVE seeing your creations. 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products and services I have personally used and love. Disclosure here.