Protein-Packed Desserts

You'll never crave a store-brand peanut butter and chocolate candy again with these homemade truffles. Made with almond butter and melted dark chocolate, you can add any toppings you like such as coconut, chopped nuts, cocoa powder, or dried fruit. Make a bunch of these to save in your fridge as a quick, sweet snack that won't make you crash later. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted, creamy almond butter
• 1/4 cup unsalted almonds
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 4 oz. dark chocolate 70-85% cacao

Directions:

Blend almond butter, almonds, oats, and honey in a food processor. Once fully combined, roll into 1/2 inch balls. Line a baking sheet or glass dish that can fit in your freezer with parchment paper and let the truffles cool for 15 minutes in the fridge. Melt dark chocolate and coconut oil over a double broiler or microwave on high for 20 second increments until smooth. Cover the truffles with the melted chocolate and add any toppings. Freeze for 30 minutes to harden the chocolate. Remove from freezer and store in your fridge. 

SERVES 10

CALORIES 286;  FAT 21.8g (sat 5.08g); PROTEIN 8g; FIBER 5.1g; SUGARS 6.4g; SODIUM 118mg

Enjoy this spread for an afternoon snack or late-night dessert. Nuts and cheese pack in the protein while the fruit and chocolate add just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy your cravings. Not only does this cheese board pack in protein, there is over 390mg of calcium per serving thanks to the cheese, almonds, and chocolate. 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups seedless grapes
• 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup unsweetened, dried apricots
• 1/3 cup whole, unsalted almonds
• 1/3 cup unsalted, roasted pistachios
• 30 gluten-free crackers
• 8 oz. cheddar cheese
• 8 oz. Parmesan cheese
• 4 oz. dark chocolate 70-85% cacao

SERVES 10

CALORIES 310.4; FAT 17.11g (sat 7.91g); PROTEIN 18g; FIBER 1g; SUGARS 11g; SODIUM 535mg

A blend between frozen yogurt and ice cream, "nice" cream is the easiest and healthiest way to satisfy your sweet tooth. There's nothing better than the salty and sweet combination of nuts and chocolate. We've elevated this classic combo with creamy almond butter and high quality cocoa powder. 

Sweet strawberries and chewy dried apricots benefit from the tasty addition of creamy Greek yogurt and almond butter. Optional toppings: shredded coconut and chopped nuts. You can enjoy the fruit immediately, by using the Greek yogurt as a dip, or you can freeze the fruit to create a shell similar to dark chocolate covered strawberries. 

Ingredients:

• 1 pint fresh strawberries
• 1 cup unsweetened, dried apricots
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 cups 2% Greek Yogurt 
• 1/3 cup unsalted, creamy almond butter warmed in the microwave

Directions:

Mix honey with yogurt. If not freezing, mix in the almond butter straight into the yogurt and eat. If freezing, dip the fruit into the honey-yogurt mixture then add another layer by dipping the fruit into the warm almond butter. Add toppings or freeze for 20 minutes. 

SERVES 8

CALORIES 161; FAT 7.2g (sat 1.46g); PROTEIN 7.8g; FIBER 3g; SUGARS 15.5g; SODIUM 45mg; 

You already put your family's favorite vegetables into a spiralizer, but the result with apples? A perfectly twirlable treat. Top with Greek yogurt and homemade granola, and you have a sweet little snack for less than 150 calories per serving.

1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt + 2 tablespoons blueberries + 1 tablespoon chopped unsalted pistachios + 1/2 teaspoon honey

CALORIES 124; FAT 3.6g (sat 0.4g); PROTEIN 12g; FIBER 1g; SUGARS 10g (est. added sugars 3g); SODIUM 45mg

Decadent, minty, and fudgy, these brownies will fool even the savviest sweet tooth. Hearty, wholesome black beans, which are high in fiber and protein, completely take the place of any flour in this recipe. The peppermint extract is optional but we like to satisfy our Girl Scout cookie cravings. 

Packed with flavor, this smoothie provides a citrus tang with the spice from fresh ginger. The whole smoothie comes together with the creaminess from the banana and sweetness of the peaches. During the summer, fresh peaches can be substituted for frozen. 

1 cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice + 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger + 1 cup of frozen peaches + 1/2 a frozen banana + 1/2 teaspoon chopped mint.

SERVES 1 (15 oz. serving) 

CALORIES 223

Who doesn't love scraping cookie dough out of the bowl? Dairy-free, egg-free, and no-bake, this recipe can be enjoyed straight from the mixing bowl or frozen into cookie dough balls or bars. 

Ingredients:

• 1 (15-oz.) can unsalted chickpeas, drained and rinsed 
• 1 cup almond butter 
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 oz. dark chocolate chips 70-85% cacao

Directions:

Mix first six ingredients in a food processor until the chickpeas are completely blended. Stir in chocolate chips. For bars or cookie dough truffles, line a glass dish with parchment paper and put in the freezer for 45 minutes. Once removed from the freezer, let the cookie dough thaw for 5 minutes. For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle them with melted chocolate and sprinkle flaked sea salt on top.

SERVES 12

CALORIES 237.1;  FAT 16.1g (sat 3.71g); PROTEIN 7.2g; FIBER 4.7g; SUGARS 6.8g; SODIUM 252mg

Acting as a blank canvas, this Greek yogurt bark can take on any flavor profiles you prefer. We chose strawberries, cacao nibs, hazelnuts, shredded coconut, and dried cherries. Make this ahead of time and always have it in your freezer for a fast, protein-packed snack, grab-and-go breakfast, or late-night treat. 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups 2% Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/3 cup diced strawberries
• 1 tablespoon cacao nibs 

Directions:

Mix yogurt, honey and vanilla extract. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle desired toppings and freeze for at least an hour. 

SERVES 12

CALORIES 80;  FAT 3.4g (sat 1.76g); PROTEIN 5.3g; FIBER .83g; SUGARS 6.2g; SODIUM 19.7mg

1/3 cup quartered strawberries + 5 almonds + 1/2 ounce dark chocolate

CALORIES 123; FAT 7.9g (sat 2.9g); PROTEIN 2g; FIBER 3g; SUGARS 10g (est. added sugars 7g); SODIUM 1mg

This low-fat cheesecake recipe lets you enjoy a slice of classic New York cheesecake without all the guilt.  Fat-free sour cream and cottage cheese and reduced-fat cream cheese keep this dessert light, creamy, and flavorful.