Vegan, low-sugar cookie butter protein bars! Can I say speculoos? Does Biscoff ring a bell? I think all three are synonymous and represented in these healthy, portable snacks. One bite will transport you to the airplane, where you will envision a flight attendant handing you a package of spiced cookies. 

These cookie butter protein bars are designed for between-meal satiation. Each snackeroo offers 10 grams of complete protein and only 150 calories! No artificial sweeteners, animal products, or exotic ingredients. They come together in a snap and make your kitchen smell like gingersnaps!

Cookie Butter Protein Bars

Yield: 4 large bars or 6 smaller ones

Ingredients

5 tablespoons 37g) whole wheat pastry flour

1 scoop/6 tablespoons (30g) soy protein powder*

1/4 teaspoon cloves

Dashes of: ginger, white pepper (trust me,) ground cardamom, and cinnamon

3 tablespoons (48g) almond butter

1 tablespoon (21g) molasses**

6 tablespoons (80g) non-dairy milk

Stevia powder or liquid stevia

Instructions

1. Toast your flour in a dry skillet or shallow pot. Just dump it in, turn the heat to medium, and frequently whisk for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool. Don’t let it blacken because that signals burning.
2. Melt almond butter, molasses, and milk in the microwave for 30 seconds.
3. Stir wet ingredients, dump in the soy protein*, and combine with a fork.
4. Remember the fragrant flour? Yeah. Put that in there. Oh, and spices, too! Mustn’t forget those secret flavor enhancers.
5. Use those muscles to form a dough and press that into a 7×5 Pyrex or 9×5 loaf pan.
6. Set them in the fridge for 30 minutes to stiffen. Slice into desired shape/number, then sample your handiwork.

*I used a vanilla soy protein isolate. Orgain or Sunwarrior also works, but dial the milk back to 1/4 cup.

**Blackstrap WILL work, but use 1/2 tablespoon and 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup. This dilutes the dark color and strong flavor.

Nutrition Facts: 150 calories | 10g protein | 15g carbs (2g fiber) | 2g added sugar | 6g fat (0.5g saturated)

Still not convinced these are healthy? Okay… how about their high iron content and low glycemic index?

I do not appreciate protein recipes that push the whole pre/post-workout rhetoric. It sends the message that “you can only eat this if you worked out or planning to go exercise.” I am not sedentary, but athlete seems like a generous description. If I want a protein bar, why should I have to go burn it off or have earned it beforehand? Protein slows digestion and supports weight loss without the stipulation of a run or a Pilates session. Do you agree or disagree?

More speedy Gonzalez no-bake desserts:

Single-Serving Peanut Butter Protein Cookie

2-Ingredient Healthy Chocolate Truffles

The ABB Sandwich (Almond Butter & Blackberry)

Which cookie is better: Gingerbread or Biscoff?

Let me know down below.

Best Dishes,

The Hippie Happy Foodist