11 Desserts That Are Actually Good For You
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Imagine a world where you wouldn't have to feel guilty about satisfying your sweet tooth. Your dream is now a reality! Here are 11 amazing dessert recipes that offer a welcome punch of protein.
— Additional reporting by Katy Quigg and Jenny Sugar
Pre-Workout Bites
Skip all the prep, and opt for this quick pre-workout snack that reserves your energy for your workout. These peanut butter protein balls taste like chocolate chip cookie dough but offer the perfect blend of protein and carbs for a strength-training session.
Total protein (per two balls): 9 grams
Protein Cake
Celebrity trainer Holly Perkins created this molten lava cake that adds both a chocolate protein bar and a scoop of protein powder to the mix. This double dose is the secret to this recipe's sky-high protein content.
Total protein (per cake): 20 grams
Post-Workout Bar
These satisfyingly chewy protein bars are the perfect snack for after a workout. They taste so sweet and cookie-like that your taste buds will call them dessert, plus they're vegan, which keeps cholesterol levels down.
Total protein (per bar): 13 grams
Brownie Bites
Bring a dose of protein powder to a classic dessert. These chewy and tasty brownie bites have the flavor and texture you're craving. You'll be glad to know these cholesterol-free treats are also vegan, so you can lick the spoon without worry.
Total protein (per two bites): 10 grams
Banana Bread
Protein powder, soy yogurt, and flaxmeal combine to give this vegan banana bread a powerful punch of nutrition. The upside is that you can't taste the difference between it and a traditional piece of banana bread whatsoever.
Total protein (per slice): 8.2 grams
Chickpea Cookie Dough
Skip the raw stuff and chow down on this chickpea cookie dough instead. There is more to the mighty chickpea than hummus or a healthy salad topping, and this fiber-rich, protein-packed dip is proof.
Total Protein: 11.1 grams
Vanilla Shake
Made with only four ingredients, this sweet vanilla smoothie tastes like a luscious vanilla milkshake. The sky-high protein content comes from the surprising addition of silken tofu to the blender.
Total Protein: 17.4 grams
Chocolate Raspberry Protein Balls
These decadent rose-colored gems may look like chocolate truffles, but they're protein balls in disguise. Soft, creamy, and chocolatey, they are also dusted with freeze-dried raspberries, giving them a gorgeous, bright look and a bold, fruity flavor that complements the chocolate perfectly.
Total protein (per two balls): 6.6 grams of protein
Protein-Packed Vegan Ice Cream
This post-workout recovery ice cream — yes, ice cream! — is the cure to your sluggishness. Just be sure to use chocolate-flavored protein powder.
Total protein: 15.1 grams
Protein-Packed Brownies
A cross between oatmeal cookies and brownies, these chocolatey bars are so insanely delicious that you won't even guess there's protein powder added to the batter.
Total protein (per brownie): 5.1 grams
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pie Protein Balls
These cookie-dough-like chocolate chip pumpkin pie balls are rolled in chopped chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds, so this snack feels more like a treat.
Total protein (per two balls): 6.8 grams