Protein Packed Desserts You Can Make From Home

Dessert is one treat we all love to have - and when it contains health benefits, it takes the word “treat” to a whole new level. We love protein and desserts, so combining the two sounds like heaven to us. To share the love, here are 4 recipes so you can create some protein packed desserts at home!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bites What You'll Need:

• ? cup raw cashews (you can use almonds instead if you prefer)
• ? cup oats
• 1 scoop whey vanilla protein powder
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (agave nectar can be used as a substitute)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup milk chocolate chips

1. Grind your cashews and oats in a food processor until powdery.
2. Add your syrup, vanilla, and protein powder and mix it until smooth.
3. Stir in chocolate chips, and then roll your mixture into small balls (about one-inch balls).
4. Place in refrigerator to chill and keep them there to store.

• ¾ cup Ghiradelli 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons vanilla protein
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter
• ¼ cup PB2
• ¼ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1. Combine your vanilla protein and PB2 in a small bowl, and then add in your unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Mix the ingredients together, then add in your peanut butter and mix until smooth.
2. Melt your chocolate chips over low heat in a small pan.
3. In your 8 silicone baking cups, add a small layer of your just melted chocolate. Then place them in a tray in the freezer for 15 minutes (until hard).
4. Place a spoonful of your peanut butter mixture into each baking cup (make sure you leave enough room on the sides for your chocolate to fill in).
5. Add more melted chocolate to the top of each baking cup.
6. Place your cups back in the freezer for 30 minutes (until hard).
7. Remove them from the silicon baking cups, wrap in foil, and place back in the freezer until serving.

• ¼ cup instant oats
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
• 6 ounces of fat-free cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ cup mashed banana
• ½ teaspoon cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat your oven for 300°. Coat 2 jumbo-sized muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Stir your oats and applesauce together in a small bowl. After stirring, divide the bowl in half and press each half into the bottoms of the muffin cups (1 half=1 muffin cup).
3. Bake your muffin cup bottoms for 8 minutes. Let them cool.
4. Mix your cream cheese and honey in a medium-sized bowl until the mixture is smooth. Add in the mashed banana, cornstarch and vanilla. Spread your combined mixture (this is your filling) on top of the cool crusts.
5. Bake in the oven for 19-22 minutes (until the center slightly jiggles).
6. Cool at room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill (at least 3 hours).

• ¼ cup gluten-free rolled oats
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup Whey Chocolate Protein Powder
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ? cup Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla (you can opt for Chocolate Almond Milk instead)
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• ¼ cup chocolate chips (also leave 2 tablespoons for the topping)
• ½ cup raspberries

1. Heat your oven to 350°. Spray your baking pan with non-stick cooking spray (can be any size pan but suggested size is 8 x 8).
2. Blend your oats in a blender until they have a flour-like consistency. Transfer them to a medium sized bowl. Add in your protein powder and cocoa powder, then whisk it all together.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together your applesauce, egg, honey, vanilla, and almond milk until it's blended well and smooth. Add in the rest of your dry ingredients until all ingredients are combined.
4. Over low heat, heat your ¼ cup of chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small saucepan. Stir them continuously until it's all melted together. Stir in brownie batter. (If you prefer using a microwave to heat you can—just stick them in for 30-45 seconds).
5. Pour your mixture into your pan, and take your 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips and sprinkle them on top. Chop your raspberries in half and add them to the top.
6. Bake your brownies for 18-22 minutes.
7. Cool them on a wire rack, cut them into pieces (bars or squares) and place in refrigerator to chill.

Of course, if you're looking for something much easier, and even more delicious, you can always enjoy our Promax Cookies 'n Cream bars or our Promax Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for dessert, or even right after your workout! Packed with protein, our bars are the best way to refuel - and the flavors are unbeatable. For more amazing recipes, be sure to check out our #MAXMunchies!

Sources: http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2014/03/100-calorie-raspberry-chocolate-chip-protein-brownies/ http://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2014/01/16/banana-breakfast-cheesecakes/ http://www.peanutbutterandfitness.com/2014/01/chocolate-peanut-butter-protein-cups.html http://sweettreatsmore.com/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-protein-bites-recipe/