The Scoop on This Sweet, Sneaky Protein Dip
Okay, let me tell you—if there was an Olympics for nostalgia snacks, Dunkaroos would take gold every time (yeah, I’m that 90s kid). One afternoon I tried a million ways to curb my sweet tooth, and boom, this High Protein Dunkaroo Dip happened. I wanted all the funfetti cake vibes but, you know, without needing stretchy pants after. My nephew helped the first time. He basically painted the dog with it, but even that couldn’t ruin a good dip day.
Why You'll Probably Get Hooked on This
- I make this when I really, really want to lick the cake batter bowl, but also don’t want a sugar crash.
- My nieces devour it (it nearly started a cookie-dipping war at last family picnic, but, hey, that’s part of the fun).
- It’s honestly so forgiving—mixer busted? Whisk and elbow grease, baby.
- Once tried making it with Greek yogurt that was already a little past its prime—no one noticed, so let’s just say this dip is very forgiving.
My Flexible Ingredients List
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (I use full-fat if I want it rich, but nonfat works too, in a pinch)
- 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder (whey or plant, whatever I have—my sister insists on Orgain but I swear I can’t taste the difference)
- 2 tablespoons funfetti cake mix (I know, it’s technically cheating. Sometimes I swap in regular vanilla cake mix with a handful of sprinkles if I’m out)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, or skip if your protein powder is sweet enough
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but my grandma would haunt me if I left this out)
- A pinch of salt (because it matters, trust me)
- Sprinkles for serving (not technically optional in my house)
How I Throw It Together
- In a big mixing bowl, dump in the Greek yogurt and protein powder. I use a silicone spatula to scrape out every last bit because waste not, want not.
- This is where I usually sneak a taste—mainly to see if I've got the sweetness right, not just because I'm impatient. Add the cake mix, maple syrup or honey, vanilla, and a tiny pinch of salt.
- Mix like your life depends on it, or until it’s silky smooth (a few tiny lumps are fine; mine are always there unless I’m trying to impress my mother-in-law).
- Fold in those sprinkles. Don’t be shy. If it looks underwhelming, toss in more until it looks like a unicorn exploded in there.
- Chill for 10-30 minutes, or as long as you can hold off (I rarely make it past 15, honestly).
Little Notes from My Kitchen Chaos
- I once tried triple the cake mix (didn’t read the label right)—it tasted amazing but was thick enough to spackle drywall.
- Letting it sit overnight? It actually tastes even better—the sprinkles kind of melt in and you get more cake flavor.
- On second thought, if your protein powder tastes weird, maybe add extra vanilla or an extra teaspoon of maple syrup.
Variations and My Experiments
- Chocolate protein + chocolate cake mix = legit brownie batter vibes. My kids went bananas.
- Low sugar version: Use monkfruit or stevia drops, but honestly... I have mixed feelings. Texture gets weird if you overdo it.
- Once tried using almond yogurt for a dairy-free pal—weird aftertaste, but he liked it. Go figure.
Tools (Or Just MacGyver It)
- A medium-ish mixing bowl (or big mug in a pinch—I have done this while camping, don’t recommend but hey...)
- Sturdy whisk or hand mixer. And if you’ve lost both, two forks gripped together sort of work, in a "my grandma would laugh at me" way.
- Spatula (for properly scraping down the sides, not essential, but saves you licking the bowl... or maybe not?)
Storing Leftovers
It'll last 2-3 days in the fridge in a lidded container, but honestly, in my house it never makes it past day one. If you have superhuman willpower, more power to you. If it separates a little on day two, just give it a stir, jobs a good’un.
Here’s How I Like to Serve It
Teddy Grahams, pretzels, apple slices, or those “digestive” biscuits Brits swear by. If I’m feeling especially fancy, I’ll do a little platter with strawberries, but mostly we just grab whatever’s in the cupboard. My cousin dunks cinnamon pita chips—good move, in case you wondered.
Stuff I Learned the Hard Way
- Do NOT add the sprinkles too early or they’ll bleed and you’ll have a sad gray dip. Been there, not doing it again. Fold 'em in at the end.
- I once tried skipping the chill because I was starving... it was ok, but a quick chill helps it set up and taste less protein-ish. Trust me, I paid for my impatience (it was runny and weird).
Questions I Actually Get About This Dip
- Is this really high protein or just "healthier" dessert?
It’s got a decent protein punch—but you’d probably want to eat the whole batch if you’re looking for meal-level grams! Plus, it’s still dessert-y, I’m not pretending this is a salad 😉 - Is cake mix safe to eat raw?
Technically, you’re supposed to heat-treat cake mix. I sometimes zap mine in the microwave for a minute or so, but, look, sometimes I don’t. Here’s a good guide if you’re worried: How to heat treat flour safely - What if I don’t have protein powder?
You can actually skip it—just add a bit more cake mix or vanilla pudding mix for thickness. Though, obviously, you’ll get less protein oomph. This Greek yogurt dip idea works really well if you don’t care about the protein! - Can I double or triple the recipe?
Oh, absolutely, especially for parties. Just use a bigger bowl. Be aware you may need to adjust the sweetener or add a splash of milk if it gets too thick.
And as a wild, irrelevant aside, I tried listening to a true crime podcast while making this once and accidentally put the maple syrup in twice. Still pretty tasty, so honestly, it’s kind of foolproof.
Need more topping inspiration? I occasionally browse Sweetapolita for sprinkle-mania—fair warning, you might get lost in there.
Ingredients
- 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 tablespoons sprinkles
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup almond milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
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1In a medium mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and vanilla protein powder.
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2Add almond butter, honey, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth.
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3Slowly add almond milk, stirring until the dip reaches your desired consistency.
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4Fold in 2 tablespoons of sprinkles, reserving 1 tablespoon for topping.
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5Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the remaining sprinkles.
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6Serve with animal crackers, fresh fruit, or vanilla wafers for dipping.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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