March 28, 2024

Protein Powder Cookie Bars

Protein Powder Cookie Bars

Have you ever used protein powder?  My husband loves the stuff, so we always have a few mongo-sized tubs of it in the pantry.  There are  dozens of varieties – whey, casein, hemp, or pea, to name and few – and as many different flavors, though for most recipes, I would suggest you stick with vanilla.  When you need a sweet treat (and come on, we ALL do sometimes) but don’t want to feel overly guilty, whip up a batch of these Protein Powder Cookie Bars.

Sometimes you know you need protein and you just don’t want to fry some eggs or eat that leftover chicken breast.  Protein powder to the rescue!  I’m normally a champion of whole foods, but sometimes there really is better living through chemistry.  This recipe comes together completely in the food processor and takes just a few minutes to make.  Hold out for the bars to firm up in the fridge or freezer, and you have a candy bar that doesn’t break the calorie bank.  This is totally customizable and deserves a go.  Ready?

Protein Powder Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup roasted, salted almonds (leave skins on for extra fiber)
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 2 cups oats
  • 1 cup protein powder (vanilla casein or whey both work here)
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. In the food processor, add the coconut oil to the almonds and make almond butter.  Then add the ingredients, one by one, and mix after each addition.
  2. When you have a mixture that feels like heavy, wet sand, pour it out into a metal loaf pan.  Flatten it out with your hands or a spatula and freeze or refrigerate until very firm.  Cut into 4″ x 1″ bars.  (You could go crazy and drizzle these bars with melted chocolate!)  Store in the fridge or freezer until ready to eat.

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana


To view even more of Dana’s unique recipe, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

Flourless Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten Free)

Here on our At Home with GCH blog, Monday’s are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.  As promised, we have been sharing some gluten free treats that you can bring to all of your summer festivities: bbqs, camping trips, picnics, hoedowns, and block parties.  This week we are making  Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies.  You can include the add-ins that your loved ones enjoy such as chocolate chips, craisins, chopped walnuts, etc.

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Ingredients:

1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 teaspoons baking soda2013-07-05 09.16.32
4+1/2 cups rolled oats
1+1/2 cups peanut butter (or crunchy peanut butter!)
1/2 cup coconut oil, or butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup coconut sugar, or white sugar
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
optional (suggested!) 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the oats, baking soda, and dried cranberries; set aside.  Using a stand mixer, cream the peanut butter, other ‘butter,’ and sugars together ‘til light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, and also the vanilla.  Mix to blend well.  Slowly pour in the dry ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined.  By hand, stir in  the chocolate chips, and walnuts (if including), too.  Place in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up.  Preheat the oven to 350.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop the cookie batter and drop it onto lined cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.  Bake for 9 to 12 minutes until light golden brown and just getting firm. (If you enjoy your cookies a little on the softer side, underbake by one minute.)   Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies.

Note: this dough is sticky because of the peanut butter, so I strongly suggest using your hands as little as possible.  Cooling the dough in the refrigerator is a great help here!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

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If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this blog post, you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

GCH: What’s on Your Plate? – Crockpot Apple Oatmeal

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I love this recipe!  You can throw all the ingredients in the crock pot before you go to bed and when you wake up in the morning, breakfast is ready!  I made this Christmas Eve night and we woke up to a wonderful smelling house and had a delicious breakfast ready to go!  Because who wants to cook on Christmas morning?  This would also be perfect for Sunday mornings when you don’t want to cook before church.

What you need:

Two sliced apples (I used Golden Delicious)

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

2 tbsp butter

2 cups oatmeal

4 cups water

crockpot

Directions:

Throw the sliced apples, the brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and butter in the bottom of the crockpot.  Then pour in the oatmeal and then the water on top.  DO NOT STIR.  Cook overnight 8-9 hours on low.  Makes about 4 servings.  Depending on your tastes, you may need to add more sugar or butter to your individual serving 🙂

That’s it!  Easy peasy… and delicious!

God is great, God is good… let us thank Him for our food!

<3 Shauna

PS – you can also find Shauna on her personal blog at www.workhomeplay.net.