Birthday Cake Batter Chickpea Balls

Celebrate with birthday cake batter balls made with chickpeas, maple syrup, cashew butter, and sprinkles! Yes, they taste like b-day cake!

How was your Memorial Day?

Yesterday was a special day for me because I taught my first virtual yoga class!

Before you get mad at me for not inviting you, don’t!

It was a private class for my cousin and her husband.

They’ve been asking me to teach them since the beginning of quarantine and I kept finding reasons why it wasn’t the right time…

Yesterday I finally ran out of reasons and realized that my main reason was fear.

So I threw together a quick 30 minute sequence, threw my hair up in a bun, and showed up on Skype to teach.

In those 30 minutes, for the first time, I felt like a true yoga teacher, virtually guiding them through postures and breath and finally, savasana.

And if that isn’t reason to celebrate with this sweet new snack I have in store for you…

These Birthday Cake Batter Chickpea Balls will give you a reason to celebrate snack-time!

They’re vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, and refined sugar-free while still tasking like cake.

Grab your blender, a can of chickpeas, and some sprinkles and let’s celebrate because…it’s somebody’s birthday somewhere.

A friend and I were chatting about cake recently and since then I haven’t been able to get the idea out of my head.

Cake– it’s been a minute since I had a good slice of cake.

Definitely pre-quarantine, and probably pre-2020.

I didn’t see much of a reason to make myself a cake here for myself, so I decided to make a cake-inspired snack to curb my enthusiasm.

This recipe takes the cake, guys.

If you’ve been here a while you know I love my faux vegan cookie dough as much as the next girl.

Since we’ve already made Cacao Chickpea Cookie Dough “Snackwiches” and Edible Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, so I figured it might be time to make raw cake batter.

Agree?

What You Need to Make Birthday Cake Batter Chickpea Balls

Here’s what you need to make your own Birthday Cake Batter Chickpea Balls:

• chickpeas
• pure maple syrup
• cashew butter
• almond flour
• coconut flour
• vegan sprinkles
• vanilla (optional)

That’s  it!

Notes on Ingredients

I love using chickpeas as the base to these hearty balls!

They purée beautifully into these sweet balls and take on the “b-day cake” vibe effortlessly without any bean-y flavor.

When selecting a cashew butter, make sure it’s fresh and creamy and not the dried bits from the bottom of the jar.

This will ensure easier blending.

For the sprinkles, try to find a brand of vegan sprinkles that also doesn’t add any artificial coloring or dyes.

These sprinkles are colored with beets, turmeric, and spirulina!

How to Make Birthday Cake Batter Balls

First, add the chickpeas, cashew butter, and maple syrup to the blender.

Add a splash of vanilla extract if you’re like more of a vanilla cake flavoring– but it will taste great regardless!

Blend this into a thick, sticky, batter.

You made need to turn off the blender, scrape the sides with a spatula, and re-process several times.

The batter is ready when it’s creamy and smooth with no visible chickpeas.

Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl and add in the almond flour and coconut flour.

Mix well.

At this point, I like to pinch my dough with my fingers or try rolling it into a ball.

If the mixture is still very sticky to the touch, add another tablespoon of coconut flour to thicken things up.

Scoop the dough with a cookie scoop then roll into 1 – 1.5″ balls.

How to Decorate Your Birthday Balls

Okay, so now for the sprinkles.

If you would like, you can add the sprinkles before you roll the batter into balls for more of a “funfetti”  feel.

However, I preferred mine on top for an authentic birthday cake experience.

Add the sprinkles on top or roll the chickpea balls in your sprinkles to lightly coat.

If the sprinkles don’t stay put, try dunking the balls into the sprinkles bowl instead or lightly press on the sprinkles with your fingers.

Tips & Tricks

NOTE: Depending on what kind of sprinkles you use, they may bleed into the balls a little.

This won’t effect the taste or texture, just the appearance.

If this is worrisome, try storing the balls separately in the fridge and add sprinkles before serving.

How to Serve Birthday Cake Batter Chickpea Balls

Enjoy these Birthday Cake Batter Chickpea Balls whenever you’re craving a healthier version of cake batter.

They’re loaded with complex carbs, protein, healthy fats, and fiber.

Try taking 10 minutes to mix them up on Sunday evening and enjoy cake batter balls all week.

I love to grab a couple as a mid-morning or afternoon snack.

I think this would be a fun recipe to make with kids and adults like!

And I can guarantee your family won’t believe that these bites are chickpea based.

If you can’t find vegan sprinkles, you can substitute with shredded coconut, hemp hearts, or chocolate chips for a fun variation.

Enjoy!

More Vegan Cookie Dough

• Cacao Chickpea Cookie Dough “Snackwiches”

• Edible Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

I Want to Hear From You

If you make this Birthday Cake Batter Chickpea Balls recipe, let me know!

Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review so I can use your feedback to create more yums.

Give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your creations.

Check out my Pinterest page to pin more recipes like this one to make later.

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XO Lauren

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