Cookies & Cream Protein Bars

Cookies and cream flavoured anything is one of my weaknesses. Especially when there's chocolate involved. 

Willpower aside, how can you resist the temptation. We all love those famous candy bars, and candy bar flavoured ice cream. So why not combine our love of cookies and cream flavoured things with healthy ingredients + protein and make some delicious Candy Bar Flavoured Protein Bars!

Best. Idea. Ever.

And while you may want to stuff your face with all the bars; try to hold back. I'll try with you ;)

These Cookies & Cream Protein Bars are guilt free (no refined sugar, partially hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, and so on). Now this is a treat that you can really sink your teeth into! Their also gluten-free and easily made vegan, just simply replace the honey with maple syrup and your golden. And it only takes one bowl to whip them up.

Coconut butter might not be an ingredient you always have on hand, but it's very much worth it. 

Time for a close up...

Now let's eat candy bars!

Healthy Homemade Cookies & Cream Protein Bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients (6 protein bars)

• 3/4 cup coconut butter, softened until spreadable
• 1.5 tablespoons cashew butter
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 60 grams (2 scoops) Vege PRO-7 vanilla protein powder, or other vanilla protein powder
• 3 tablespoons dark chocolate chunks

Instructions

Line a 6x4 baking dish or loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine softened coconut butter, cashew butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract. Stir with a spatula until fully combined and smooth.

Stir in protein powder and chocolate chunks until well combined and incorporated.

Pour the mixture into prepared pan. Spread and press down to flatten. Cover and freeze for at least 20 minutes until fully set.

Slice into 8 bars and enjoy! Store covered in the fridge or freezer.

Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 1 bar Calories: 273 Fat: 19g Saturated Fat: 15g Carbohydrates:17g Sugar: 9g Sodium: 14mg Fiber: 5.5g Protein: 9g

North Coast Naturals Vege Pro-7 Protein Powder {Review}

Have you heard??

The fabulous team at North Coast Naturals has just recently released a new product!

It's called Vege Pro-7, a vegan plant-based protein powder. It's made from 7 organic proteins including sprouted raw whole grain brown rice, hemp, coconut, quinoa, alfalfa, pumpkin and chia. No artificial ingredients here.

Now I'm not a vegan, but I do believe that when it comes to eating a clean healthy diet, it's important to eat more whole foods and plants such as fruits and vegetables while making sure you're getting enough quality protein. Avoid the processed foods and keep artifical sweeteners to a bare minimum. And ideally shop locally for meats and produce. 

I’ve been a supporter of North Coast Naturals ever since I was contacted by my lovely friend Deryn and started testing out their products about a year ago. There aren’t too many products that I review here on my blog, but when I do you can be certain that I'm completely genuine. My opinions are my own and if there was something I didn't like about a product I would tell you.

What I love about North Coast Naturals is that they make all their products with only natural whole foods and quality ingredients that you can feel good about enjoying.

I couldn’t be more excited for the launch of this new product. 

Vege Pro-7 is gluten-free and 100% vegan.

Here is the nutritional rundown of information for both chocolate and vanilla flavours:

CHOCOLATE

Ingredients: 7 Organic Proteins (Organic, Bio-Fermented, Sprouted Whole Grain Brown Rice; Organic Pumpkin Seed; Organic Canadian Hemp Seed Protein; Organic Sprouted Quinoa; Organic Chia Seed; Organic Coconut, Organic Alfalfa); No Aritifial Flavouring (Organic Cocoa, Natural Chocolate Flavour, Coffee Powder, Natural Water Extracted Stevia Isolate(Rebaudioside-A); Ground Cinnamon, Monk Fruit Powder); Natural Thickener (Guar Gum).

                                           

VANILLA

Ingredients: 7 Organic Proteins (Organic Bio-Fermented, Sprouted Whole Grain Brown Rice; Organic Pumpkin Seed; Organic Canadian Hemp Seed Protein; Organic Sprouted Quinoa; Organic Chia Seed; Organic Coconut, Organic Alfalfa); No Artificial Flavouring (Organic Cocoa, Natural Vanilla Flavour, Coffee Powder, Natural Water Extracted Stevia Isolare (Rebasudioside-A); Ground Cinnamon, Monk Fruit Powder); Natural Thickener (Guar Gum).

 

Final Thoughts

I first tried the chocolate protein stirred into my morning oats along with 1 tablespoon of flaxseed, cinnamon, and raspberries and it was pretty tasty. The first thing I noticed as I stirred was the coconut (it smelled so good!), which if you love coconut like me, it's an added bonus! I must say the texture was quite impressive. Both flavours were in no way gummy or green tasting. I think my favourite of the two was the chocolate flavour, but the vanilla is pretty good too.

The only negative thing I found was with the vanilla. When I first opened it I found it to have a bit of a green smell. Probably due to the hemp seed protein. But when I tried it, there was no hint of it tasting green...You know, like when you use a powdered veggies supplement and add it to your smoothie. I tried them both mixed into my smoothies made with frozen fruits (banana, strawberries, wild blueberries and other fruits), almond milk, matcha green tea powder etc. They both tasted pretty excellent.

Personally I love both these products, especially the chocolate flavoured protein powder. I thought they were both delicious. It's a great healthy way to get some extra protein into your diet!

I've been doing some recipe testing and I've had some pretty awesome results so far. Next week I'll have a decadent dessert like protein bar recipe to post for you all. It involes coconut butter and chocolate. So stay tuned!

Happy Hump Day :)