When you’re committed to a nutritious diet and sticking to healthy portion sizes, protein is a must for all meals and snacks – including dessert! Luckily, protein-rich desserts aren’t as difficult to create as you might think. In fact, we have three mouth-watering protein-rich desserts your whole family will love!
Sources of Protein for Dessert
Healthy sources of protein that are easy to incorporate into your desserts include:
- Nuts, including whole, ground, and butters
- Lentils and beans
- *PGX Satisfast Vegan Protein
- Tofu
- Protein powder, including whey, soy, pea, and brown rice
- Quinoa
- Egg whites
Protein makes food more satisfying, which makes it less tempting to overindulge. Keep your meals healthy and filling all the way through to dessert with the following three protein-filled recipes:
1. Chocolate Meringue Cookies
Who doesn’t love a sweet, crisp meringue! Break the rules of traditional meringues by ditching the white sugar and keeping the protein. These meringues have a very subtle sweetness and are best prepared on days with low humidity to achieve a crisp texture.
Ingredients:
- 2 egg whites (room temperature)
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup (double this for extra sweetness)
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3 x squares dark chocolate (60% cocoa)
Instructions:
- Set oven to 250 °F.
- In a clean glass bowl, combine egg whites and cream of tartar.
- Using an electric mixer, beat on high until stiff peaks form, then set aside.
- In a small pot, warm maple syrup, vanilla, and chocolate on low heat until melted. Stir to combine.
- Carefully fold chocolate into egg whites until well incorporated.
- Spoon or pipe small portions onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake on middle rack until meringues are dry and crisp (about 1 hour).
- Enjoy right away!
2. Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Balls
These protein balls are quick to prepare for a satisfying anytime treat. For an alternate flavour, use almond butter instead of peanut butter.
Ingredients
- 8 large dates, pitted
- 1 tbsp unsweetened soy milk
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp chocolate protein powder of your choice
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder, dried coconut, or dark chocolate crumbs
Instructions
- In a food processor, process dates and soy milk into a grainy paste.
- Add peanut butter, vanilla, and protein powder, then process until well mixed.
- Using your hands, roll batter into one-inch balls.
- Roll balls in cocoa powder, dried coconut, or dark chocolate until evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for 20 minutes until firm, then enjoy!
3. Vanilla Soy Pudding
Silken tofu creates an appealing texture while contributing protein and soy isoflavones to your dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 pack (about 12 oz) organic silken tofu, firm
- 3 tbsp agave syrup or honey
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Drain tofu, pressing slightly to remove excess liquid.
- In a food processor, process tofu until smooth.
- In a small pot, warm agave and vanilla on low until runny.
- Add vanilla and honey to the tofu, then pulse until well combined.
- Transfer to serving dishes and chill until set (about one hour). Enjoy!
*Drink additional water (8 fl. oz) after ingesting PGX. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX.