17 High-Protein Desserts That’ll Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
We’d be lying if we told you the following desserts are healthy per se—they’re still desserts, after all. But we’re all about balance, and the occasional sweet treat has its place. Instead of cutting the category from your diet altogether, look for a nutrition boost in the protein department. It’s an essential macronutrient for muscle building and repair and helps your body produce important hormones, plus it keeps you satisfied and can help prevent a sugar crash. Here, 17 high-protein desserts to end your meal on a sweet note.
RELATED: 25 Healthy Protein Snacks That Actually Taste Good
1. The World’s Biggest Peanut Butter Cup (11g protein)
When it comes to peanut butter and chocolate, more is more. Set this dessert on the table and wait for the impending fanfare.
2. Peanut Butter Freezer Pie (13g protein)
The entire thing comes together without turning on the oven. This is a pie best served with a tall, cold glass of milk. (You know, for more protein—wink wink.)
3. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Squares (12g protein)
Another no-cook treat, these portable bars combine all of our favorite snacks in one. They’re salty, sweet, crunchy and smooth in every bite.
4. Peanut Butter Cream Pie with Raspberry Meringue (11g protein)
This decadent pie looks like a fairytale and tastes like nostalgia. Be still our fifth-grade hearts.
5. Caramel Almond Cake (12g protein)
The crunchy, sugary almond mixture magically transforms into a sweet, caramelized crust during the final 15 minutes of baking. Frosting need not apply.
6. Vegan Spiced Blueberry Breakfast Cake (10g protein)
You can thank whole grain spelt flour for the whopping ten grams of protein in each serving of this cake. It’s sweet but not too sweet, and equally tasty for breakfast or dessert.
7. Chocolate Glazed Espresso Cheesecake (15g protein)
Whether your idea of a pick me up is chocolate or coffee, here’s proof that you never have to choose.
8. No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake (10g protein)
Goodbye, fussy water bath. Hello, creamy and dreamy cheesecake. This recipe comes together with 30 minutes of prep and a brief trip to the fridge, but little more effort than that.
9. Slow-Cooker Oreo Cheesecake (13g protein)
Thanks to your trusty Crock-Pot, a restaurant-level cheesecake is easy to replicate at home. The low-and-slow method ensures a silky result.
10. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies (7g protein)
Cookie sandwiches trump regular sandwiches every time.
11. Lemon Curd with Whipped Cream (8g protein)
This versatile and elegant dessert can be served on its own, with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or as the filling to a pie or tart. (You can even freeze it for later.)
12. Sweet Potato Pots de Crème with Toasted Marshmallow Fluff (9g protein)
Behold, our favorite way to eat vegetables. These cuties have all the flavor of a pumpkin pie without the trouble of a crust. Plus, you get to whip out your blow torch.
13. Muffin-Tin Lemon Meringue Tarts (15g protein)
And here we thought our muffin tin was only good for making, well, muffins. The trifecta of crisp cookie crust, glossy filling and fluffy meringue is *chef’s kiss*
14. Pumpkin Angel Food Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze (7g protein)
If we’re being honest, we’ll almost never pass up something that involves cream cheese glaze, but the lightly spiced, melt-in-your-mouth cake is just as delightful.
15. Coconut Rice Pudding with Rhubarb Compote (8g protein)
The luxurious rice pudding contains three types of milk (whole, coconut and sweetened condensed) for extra creaminess, while the tart rhubarb compote balances out the sweetness.
16. Black-and-White Pudding (10g protein)
Finally, a dessert for people who simply can’t choose between vanilla and chocolate. (TBH, you shouldn’t have to.)
17. Thai Iced Tea Panna Cotta (9g protein)
The sweet, creamy custard tastes just like Thai iced tea, but you’ll want a spoon instead of a straw for this version.
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