Craving something sweet? Dessert can be decadent [1] and still offer some health benefits. Here are some recipes that offer a punch of protein while still satisfying even the strongest sweet tooth. Not sure which to make first? Go for the black bean brownie bites, the chocolate frosted doughnuts [2], or the freezer fudge — they'll be instant favorites!
No-Bake Brownies
Craving a chewy, chocolaty brownie, are you? Make these!
Protein: 5.1 grams (3 squares)
Get the recipe: no-bake brownies [4]
Chocolate Chip Protein-Packed Pumpkin Bread
When you want your house to feel as cozy as slipping on a sweater in the Fall, turn on your oven and bake this pumpkin bread.
Protein: 9.2 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate chip protein-packed pumpkin bread [5]
Chocolate Protein Pudding
You'll love this smooth, chocolaty pudding.
Protein: 7.3 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate protein pudding [6]
Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
These chewy peanut butter brownie bites are disguised as fudgy, peanut buttery goodness, but shhh, they also offer a healthy dose of protein.
Protein: 5.1 grams (per bite)
Get the recipe: chewy brownies [7]
Chocolate Raspberry Protein Balls
These decadent rose-colored gems may look like chocolate truffles, but they're protein balls in disguise. Soft, creamy, and chocolaty, they're also dusted with freeze-dried raspberries, which gives them a gorgeous, bright look and a bold, fruity flavor that complements the chocolate perfectly.
Protein: 3.3 grams (per ball)
Get the recipe: chocolate raspberry protein balls [8]
Vegan Chocolate Frosted Doughnuts
The batter is easy to whip up, and don't fret if you don't have a doughnut pan — just use a muffin tin instead. Decorate as you like, and enjoy right away, since these babies taste best freshly made.
Protein: 5.1 grams
Get the recipe: vegan chocolate frosted doughnuts [9]
Coconut-Covered Chocolate Protein Balls
If you have an obsession with all things chewy, and you also have a love affair with chocolate, then allow me to introduce you to your soul mate: these coconut-covered chocolate almond protein balls.
Protein: 7.8 grams (3 balls)
Get the recipe: coconut-covered chocolate protein balls [10]
Protein-Packed Vegan Ice Cream
This protein-packed vegan ice cream is made with frozen fruit and protein powder.
Protein: 15.1 grams
Get the recipe: protein-packed vegan ice cream [11]
Chocolate Milkshake Smoothie
This smoothie tastes like a chocolate milkshake!
Protein: 22 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate raspberry smoothie [12]
Chocolate Mousse-Filled Strawberries
These fresh strawberries are filled with decadent chocolate mousse made with chickpeas!
Protein: 5.8 grams (8 strawberries)
Get the recipe: chocolate mousse-filled strawberries [13]
Chocolate Hummus
Made with almonds, chickpeas, and dates, this chocolate hummus fruit dip is much lower in sugar than if you noshed on a couple squares of dark chocolate.
Protein: 4.7 grams (per serving)
Get the recipe: chocolate hummus [14]
Protein-Packed Brownies
A cross between oatmeal cookies and brownies, these chocolaty bars are so insanely delicious that you won't even guess there's protein powder added to the batter.
Protein: 5 grams
Get the recipe: protein-packed brownies [15]
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pie Protein Balls
These cookie-dough-like balls are rolled in chopped chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds, so this snack feels more like a treat.
Protein: 3.4 grams (per ball)
Get the recipe: chocolate chip pumpkin pie balls [16]
Gluten-Free Protein Lava Cake
This high-protein molten lava cake is hiding a muscle-building secret — over 20 grams of protein!
Protein: 20.1 grams
Get the recipe: molten lava cake [17]
Vegan Chocolate Almond Protein Bars
These dairy-free energy bars are made with just five ingredients (plus salt and cinnamon for flavor), and you can whip them up in less than 20 minutes.
Protein: 12 grams (per bar)
Get the recipe: chocolate almond protein bars [18]
Vanilla Shake
Made with only four ingredients, this sweet vanilla smoothie [19] tastes like a luscious vanilla milkshake. The sky-high protein content comes from the surprising addition of silken tofu to the blender.
Protein: 17.4 grams
Get the recipe: vanilla smoothie [20]
Banana Bread
Sweet and moist on the inside and crispy on the outside, this banana bread tastes delicious on its own, but it's even more amazing smeared with nut butter and sprinkles with chocolate chips.
Protein: 8.2 grams (per slice)
Get the recipe: banana bread [21]
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Freezer Fudge
If you grew up scooping out spoonfuls of raw cookie dough while baking chocolate chip cookies with Grandma, you're going to fall hard for this cookie dough freezer fudge.
Protein: 5.8 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate chip cookie dough freezer fudge [22]
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars
Bake up a batch of these soft and cake-like bars, and the aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, maple syrup, and pumpkin will waft through your house.
Protein: 8.3 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate chip pumpkin bars [23]
Paleo Pecan Pie Bars
The gooey filling and a moist, crumbly crust will offer all the textures and flavors of the classic you love — without a sugar crash!
Protein: 5.9 grams
Get the recipe: Paleo pecan pie bars [24]
Vegan RXBARS
Similar in calories, carbs, protein, and the sweet fudgy flavor and chewy texture to RXBARs, these bars are so easy to make. Plus, you can doll up this basic recipe depending on the flavor you like (hello, chocolate chips!).
Protein: 12 grams
Get the recipe: vegan RXBAR [25]
Sweet Potato Banana Protein Bread
Packed with fiber and protein, this bread is naturally sweetened with sweet potato, banana, and applesauce. And it tastes like dessert!
Protein: 10.4 grams
Get the recipe: sweet potato banana protein bread [26]
Banana Oatmeal Crumb Muffins With Avocado
While this recipe does contain sugar, each muffin has only 17 grams of the sweet stuff.
Protein: 5.2 grams
Get the recipe: banana oatmeal crumb muffins with avocado [27]
Pumpkin Avocado Muffins
This pumpkin muffin recipe just may convince you to never want to bake with butter again.
Protein: 3.3 grams
Get the recipe: pumpkin avocado muffins [28]
Lemon Blueberry Protein Muffins
With less than nine grams of sugar per muffin, these light and moist muffins deliciously sweetened with lemon juice and blueberries are sure to satisfy your dessert cravings.
Protein: 6.0 grams
Get the recipe: lemon blueberry protein muffins [29]
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Protein Balls
All you need is a food processor or high-speed blender, and you'll be biting into these soft, cookie dough-like protein balls in a matter of minutes.
Protein: 3.3 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate chip peanut butter protein balls [30]
Banana Oat Cookies
If you're trying to eat less sugar and less processed junk, this cookie recipe is perfect.
Protein: 5.6 grams (2 cookies)
Get the recipe: banana oat cookies [31]
Lemon Coconut Protein Balls
These lemon protein balls are made with just five ingredients: raw almonds, vanilla protein powder, juicy dates, lemon juice, and unsweetened coconut.
Protein: 7.2 grams (3 balls)
Get the recipe: lemon coconut protein balls [32]
Oatmeal Protein Bars
Gluten-free and delicious!
Protein: 8.4 grams
Get the recipe: oatmeal protein bars [33]
Black Bean Brownie Bites
Delicious brownies in bite form, so they're just 150 calories each.
Protein: 5.9 grams
Get the recipe: black bean brownie bites [34]