Soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh strawberry pieces, these high-protein muffins taste just like a bakery treat with a fraction of the calories! Swapping out traditional oil, butter, and eggs for high-protein strawberry milk creates a moist, guilt-free snack in under 20 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
High Protein & Low Sugar: Made with zero-sugar cake mix and Fairlife protein milk for a lighter macro profile.
3-Ingredient Prep: Just dump, whisk, fold, and bake for effortless prep.
Moist & Bakery-Soft: Juicy strawberry chunks keep every bite fresh and full of flavor.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
12-Cup Muffin Pan & Paper Liners: Prevents sticking and allows for easy serving.
Whisk & Rubber Spatula: For mixing the batter and gently folding in fresh berry chunks.
Ingredients
1 box (13.25 oz) Betty Crocker Zero Sugar Strawberry Cake Mix
1 bottle (14 oz) Strawberry Protein Shake (such as Fairlife Core Power or similar)
1 to 1½ cups Fresh strawberries, diced into small pieces
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Oven & Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or spray generously with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Whisk Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the zero-sugar cake mix and the bottle of strawberry protein shake until fully combined and smooth.
3. Fold in Strawberries: Toss diced strawberries with a pinch of dry cake mix (or flour) to prevent sinking, then gently fold 1 cup into the batter with a spatula. Reserve a few pieces for topping.
4. Fill & Top: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Press remaining strawberry pieces onto the top of each muffin.
5. Bake: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool & Serve: Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack. Enjoy warm!
Chef’s Tips
Prevent Sinking Fruit: Tossing your fresh diced strawberries in 1 teaspoon of flour or cake mix before folding them into the batter helps them stay evenly distributed instead of settling at the bottom.
Protein Shake Choice: Fairlife Strawberry works wonderfully for a smooth texture, but any bottled strawberry protein shake with 20g–42g of protein will work nicely.
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Muffin / 12 Muffins Yield)
Servings: 12 muffins
Calories: ~100 kcal
Protein: 5g–7g (varies by protein shake brand)
Net Carbs: 15g
Fat: 2g
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How should I store these muffins?
Because of the fresh fruit, store leftover muffins in an airtight container lined with a paper towel in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Microwave for 10–15 seconds before eating to restore that fresh-out-of-the-oven softness!