This post was sponsored by PlantFusion. I only work with brands whose products and missions I truly believe in. Thanks for supporting my blog!
And just like that, sophomore year is over.
As some of you read this post this morning, I’ll be taking my last two finals of the semester – woo!!! You bet I celebrated with a HUGE chocolate protein cookie the size of my face. Because over here, cookies for breakfasts are a-okay. You with me?
I’ll admit I’ve never been a chocolate fanatic like everyone else and their mother. I always went for vanilla cake over chocolate, and hated Oreo cookies. (Seriously, who wants a crispy, hard cookie? I’ll never understand…) But lately, I’ve had some serious cravings for all things chocolate. I scoop a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder in my oatmeal or protein shakes and enjoy a square of super dark chocolate before bed.
Then the other day, I wanted a chocolate cookie. So I made one. THE SIZE OF MY FACE. Literally, y’all. I could barely fit it in my hand for the picture up there^^. In my opinion, that’s the way cookies should be.
You all know by now that I’m totally ’bout healthier baking substitutions like oats for flour, coconut sugar for white sugar, applesauce for oil, yada yada. And we’re doing all of those things here! But I’ve also been trying to get a little more protein in my diet since I started tracking my macros, so a little bit here and there throughout the day adds up. I sprinkle hemp seeds on everything and stock up on nutritional yeast like the apocalypse is coming. Tempeh is my BFF. It really isn’t hard, it just requires some planning! Which, luckily, I’m pretty darn good at, if I say so myself?.
What’s a girl to do when she needs to get her protein in for them #gains but needs a sweet tooth fix? Protein powder baking to the rescue!
To be honest, I used to be really skeptical of protein powder – I thought it was all fake ingredients and nasty additives. But there really are some amazing brands out there with clean, natural protein powders that make it easier to reach your goals. Enter one of my faves: PlantFusion!
Since I use protein powder like it’s going out of style, I like to try a few different kinds to find my favorite variety. I may have found my new go-to! I’ve tried the Complete Plant Protein and Organic Plant Protein blends, and both are fantastic, with some fun flavors. Here are some of my favorite things about the PlantFusion powders:
- They’re completely plant-based!?
- There’s a whopping 21 grams of protein for only 120 calories and 4 grams of carbs. BOOM.
- They don’t use any el cheapo ingredients like rice fillers or soy. Just pea protein, artichoke protein (so interesting, right?), organic sprouted grains, a touch of fructose and stevia, and whatever the flavor is!
- The impressive amino acid profile makes it one of the only plant-based powders that compares with whey protein. No dairy needed here, thank you very much.
- The powder is smoooooooth. Like silky smooth. It blends so well!
I know I said I was a vanilla girl at heart (still #vanilla4life) and that I hated Oreos, but I think the Cookies N’ Creme is my favorite flavor. Blasphemy!!! You’ll understand when you try it. But there’s also Vanilla Bean, Chocolate, Vanilla Chai (!!!), Chocolate Raspberry, and unflavored Natural for all you hippies out there.
Turns out when you mix a good-quality chocolate protein powder like PlantFusion with some healthy baking ingredients, good things happen. Like a HUGE chocolate protein cookie you can eat for breakfast. Yep, this recipe is stored in the “Breakfast” category of the blog. I deem it healthy enough?.
I only made one protein cookie to curb my sweet tooth, but I think you could definitely double or triple (or quadruple!) the recipe to have some healthy breakfast or snack options on hand. This is such a better and cheaper option than any protein bar or cookie at the store. And I bet it’s even bigger! Extra huge cookies >>>>>>
I’ll definitely be doing some more experimenting with protein baking with the other PlantFusion flavors because this cookie was just too good. I’m thinking a giant snickerdoodle protein cookie next…any takers? That definitely sounds like a winner.
If you get to try this protein cookie recipe, be sure to snap a sweet pic (if you can fit it in your hand for the pic) and post it on Instagram. Tag me and hashtag #emilieeats so I can see it! I know you guys are going to love this one. Be sure to check out all of the PlantFusion products and flavors!
Pin it for later!
Huge Chocolate Protein Cookie
A HUGE chocolate protein cookie that will satisfy your sweet cravings! Healthy enough to have for breakfast, vegan & gluten-free. Plus, it’s super delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 scoop (30 grams) PlantFusion Chocolate Complete Plant Protein
- 2 tablespoons oat flour (ground-up rolled oats)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, or a few drops of stevia*
- 1/2 tablespoon flax meal
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 2–3 tablespoons almond milk
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, add protein powder, oat flour, cocoa powder, sugar or stevia*, flax meal, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until all ingredients are combined.
- In a small bowl, add applesauce, 2 tablespoons almond milk, almond butter, and vanilla. Stir until fully mixed together. Stick it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make it easier to stir, if you need to.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough comes together, adding a tablespoon or two more of almond milk if it is too dry. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Form a ball in your hands with the dough and place on the lined baking sheet. Form a round cookie shape about 1/4-1/2-inch thick.
- Bake for 13-16 minutes, depending on how chewy or crispy you like your cookies. Let it cool on the pan for at least 5 minutes.
- Stuff your face!
Notes
*You may not need the extra sugar or stevia. I didn’t use any, as the protein powder is sweet enough for me, but taste and add sweetener if you want to.
Thanks to PlantFusion for sponsoring this post! I love working with brands whose products I really love and would honestly recommend. Thank you for supporting this blog that I love oh-so-much!
