By Ginger Cochran, MS, RDN, CDCES, CEP-ACSM
Got a sweet tooth? You’re not alone. Contrary to popular belief, you can have your cake and eat it with the right ingredient. Adding protein powders to the recipe is one of the easiest ways to make a dessert healthier. In this blog, we’re breaking down how to successfully add protein powders to your desserts.
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Choose the right protein powder for the recipe.
There are many types of protein powders, including Designer Whey (whey isolate), Designer Soy (soy isolate), Designer Egg (whole eggs and egg whites), Collagen (hydrolyzed collagen peptide), and Designer Plant ( pea and rice protein). When selecting a protein powder, consider your dietary preferences and any food allergies or sensitivities. Also, choose a flavor that complements the dessert. If baking brownies, make it extra chocolaty using chocolate protein powder. Plant-based protein powders tend to make baked goodies dense, while non-plant based, like whey protein powder, make them chewy. Use the protein powder that matches the texture you’re looking for.
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Mix it with dry ingredients.
When adding protein powder to baked goods, mix it with dry ingredients such as flour, cocoa powder, or baking powder before adding the wet ingredients. This will help distribute the protein powder evenly throughout the batter. Avoid using protein powder as a complete flour substitute. This will likely give it an undesirable rubbery texture. Ideally, 30% or less of the batter should be protein powder to make a healthy treat with the correct consistency—for example, ⅓ cup of protein powder to replace 1 cup of flour.
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Use Enough Liquid When Baking
Protein powder absorbs liquid like a little sponge. When baking, increase the amount of fluid in the recipe so it’s slightly thinner than the original. You may need to increase ingredients like milk, eggs, and oil to help make batters thinner.
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Don’t use cheap protein powders!
Many protein powders can contain heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, artificial sweeteners, and other additives, affecting your health and the quality of your finished product. Designer Wellness protein powders are naturally sweetened and free of artificial additives and heavy metals.
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Use it as a topping
Another way to incorporate protein powder into your desserts is to sprinkle it on top of your favorite treats, such as yogurt, ice cream, oatmeal, or fruit. This works exceptionally well with flavored protein powders, which can add a tasty twist to your desserts.
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Try no-bake desserts
No-bake desserts such as energy balls, protein bars, and raw desserts are perfect for incorporating protein powder. Mix protein powder with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, then shape them into balls or bars. Put them in the refrigerator to best keep their shape. These treats are easy to make and perfect for on-the-go snacking.
Protein powders are a delicious and easy way to boost desserts' nutritional value and taste.
Try these Protein Powder boosted Designer Wellness dessert recipes by our amazing Ambassadors.
