Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Cookie Cake

This healthy COOKIE CAKE has a bonus dose of protein and healthy fats. It’s gluten-free, low in sugar, and… it’s a cookie cake. So, you need this.

I’m having a weird protein powder thing right now.

Part of me is like “just eat real food” and the other part is like “GAINZ” so I keep adding protein powder to my oats and trying to get in lots of chicken and egg whites and all that good stuff. While I love protein powder as an easy boost, I haven’t loved a lot of the ones I’ve tried lately. Over time, I’ve become really sensitive to the fake sugar taste of many brands, and can’t believe I used to put giant scoops into everything. To switch things up, I got the Tera’s goat whey protein, which had great nutrients but tasted like goat. The Onnit Hemp protein was so artificial and bitter. I’m picky about ingredients, which means the ones that fit the bill nutrition-wise usually end up tasting like death.

I’ve tended to avoid whey protein since I don’t do a ton of cow’s dairy (looooove sheep and goat dairy, but will have cow’s dairy here and there on a cheese board or in some kind of egg dish dish). Finally, I decided to try some whey protein to see if I could find one that tasted delicious, and had good ingredients. I came across this one on Thrive Market and decided to go for it.

Mattole Valley Naturals Whey Protein Raw Cacao

The verdict: it’s almost perfect. It’s not too sweet, it’s not artificial-tasting, it blends well into oats and smoothies. I’m not crazy about the fact that it’s whey (it has a teeny bit of a cow’s milk taste), but so far I haven’t broken out or had any digestion issues, so there ya go. If you have a plant-based protein you love that doesn’t taste like biting into a Stevia leaf, please let me know!

Gluten free protein cookie cake

Anyway, let’s talk about this cookie cake.

This recipe started off as donut holes, then turned into cookies while I was mixing it, and finally when I saw the dough, all I could think about was Mrs. Field’s cookie cake. It tastes eerily similar to the famous baked treat, minus the killer sugar crash afterwards. The best part is that it’s SO DELICIOUS, and packed with protein, healthy fats and is gluten-free. Aka I’ll be having this with eggs for breakfast every day this week.

Gluten free protein cookie cake

I used some Kerrygold butter (the best!) in this recipe, along with some MCT oil. MCT oil is an awesome source of brain-boosting healthy fats, but if you don’t have it, you can use melted coconut oil or avocado oil instead.

Coconut MCT Oil

(Here is a great post explaining the difference between medium chain triglyceride <— MCT, and coconut oil.)

This little cookie cake is good motivation to crawl out of bed in the morning, or a sweet “high five” at the end of the day.

cookie cake dough

If you don’t have it with eggs for breakfast, try it out as an afternoon sweet treat, or as an evening dessert with your favorite ice cream on top.

Gluten free protein cookie cake with ice cream

(This is with chocolate cashew ice cream!)

Healthy Cookie Cake Recipe

Here’s the recipe if you’d like to give it a try!

gluten-free, high protein cookie cake

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Chocolate peanut butter protein cookie cake

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A healthy dessert option that’s packed with protein and healthy fats. it’s also gluten-free!

  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 25

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2/3 cup brown rice flour
  • 120g chocolate or vanilla protein powder (whey or vegan; don’t recommend egg protein for this one)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/41/3 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons MCT oil (or melted coconut oil, or avocado oil)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (liquid room temperature works best from a fresh jar)
  • 2 tablespoons of honey

Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350 and spray a standard round cake pan with coconut oil or nonstick spray.
  2. 2. Stir all ingredients in a large bowl until a dough forms. If the mixture seems dry (this will likely be if you’re using a firmer peanut butter), add a little extra honey or oil for texture.
  3. 3. Bake for 12-15 minutes until set and slightly golden around the edges.

Notes

  • Make a pizookie! Serve it hot with your favorite ice cream and chocolate chips on top

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8

Favorite store-bought or restaurant dessert? I lovelovelove the Rainforest Cafe Volcano. Favorite protein powder?!

xo

Gina

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31 Comments

  1. Giana on May 9, 2017 at 4:59 am

    OMG, Gina! Have you never tried Nuzest protein powder???!!!! It is the ONLY one I will use! I’m crazy about ingredients and this one is so clean and delicious and no tummy troubles 🙂 I cannot wait to make this cookie! Do you think I can just sub all Nuzest for the brown rice protein?

  2. Kaila Earnest on May 9, 2017 at 6:29 am

    Orgain Organic Plant based protein powder in Chocalety fudge!!! Amazing & at Costco!

    • Christina on May 9, 2017 at 11:48 am

      i heard about this shake – does this help with weight loss?

  3. Emily @ Pizza and Pull-ups on May 9, 2017 at 7:34 am

    This looks freaking amazing, I love having cookies as part of my balanced breakfast.

  4. Leah on May 9, 2017 at 8:06 am

    That looks so good! I have the same struggles with protein powder. I can’t do dairy so haven’t tried whey. I don’t like all the additives and sugar substitutes in most. I have sort of just stuck with collagen lately. But I don’t bake with that. Look forward to hearing others ideas from readers.

  5. Laurel on May 9, 2017 at 8:53 am

    Is brown rice protein a protein powder? What kind do you use?

    • Fitnessista on May 9, 2017 at 9:56 am

      sorry it’s brown rice flour! i obviously had protein on the brain hahaha

  6. priya on May 9, 2017 at 8:54 am

    hi gina! i just want to make sure thats a 2/3c of brown rice protein at the beginning, not flour?

    and for plant protein, i like nuzest and vega 🙂

    • Fitnessista on May 9, 2017 at 9:56 am

      it’s flour!! ahhh i definitely had protein on the brain

  7. Jamie @ madrediem on May 9, 2017 at 9:20 am

    This doesn’t have any tree nuts in it – hallelujah!! I can actually try this! Thank you!

    I LOVE the Orgain Chocolate Fudge protein powder. If you shake it with lots of ice so it’s super cold, it’s really delicious and refreshing. I subscribe on Amazon and it’s a great price too.

  8. India on May 9, 2017 at 9:27 am

    Gina – this looks yummy. I feel you about the protein powder. I’m in love with this brand (https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/collections/plant-proteins). I hate stevia and I can’t taste it at all in this. I’m in L.A., so there’s a shop close to me, but it’s worth every penny. Glad you found one you’re okay with.

    • Fitnessista on May 9, 2017 at 9:57 am

      i ordered some of their dusts last week! didn’t even think to check out the protein. thank you!!

      • India on May 9, 2017 at 10:34 am

        Oh I’m curious about their dusts – let us know what you think.

  9. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on May 9, 2017 at 10:16 am

    Hi Gina! Have you tried the chocolate SunWarrior protein powder? I really like that one, as well as the Vega Sport. But I feel ya — finding a tasty protein powder is tough. And this cookie cake looks delish. I use MCT oil in my morning tea, but never thought to add it to a baked good! Nice work! 🙂

  10. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on May 9, 2017 at 10:19 am

    I think I wanna dive into this for breakfast!

  11. Amanda on May 9, 2017 at 10:27 am

    I’m a fan of the Vega chocolate protein and greens. Bonus is the price at Costco (and free shipping if you order it online).

  12. Liz on May 9, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    Looks amazing! Do you think it would work with other types of flour, like oat?

  13. Elissa on May 9, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    Not sure if its in the US, but I use Epicure protein powder in Canada:)

    It’s not too sweet and not too coconutty:)

    https://epicure.com/en/products/food/protein-blend/sweet-coconut-vegan-protein-blend

  14. Audrey on May 9, 2017 at 6:45 pm

    That cookie cake looks amazing!

    https://jonandaudadventure.wordpress.com/

  15. Bethany on May 9, 2017 at 9:05 pm

    I am so excited to try this! This is going on my meal prepping list for next week! I am thinking I will have it for breakfast with more nut butter or I could make some chocolate yogurt =)

  16. Juliette | Namastay Traveling on May 10, 2017 at 4:31 am

    Topped with a scoop of Ben and Jerry’s dairy-free pb cookie ice cream, it’s game on. DOUBLE YUM.

  17. kelli @ hungry hobby on May 10, 2017 at 6:57 am

    This looks delicious! You are the BEST at making sweet treats! I go back and forth using MCT oil so it’s great to have something new to try it with!

  18. Amy Ramos on May 10, 2017 at 10:01 am

    Very interesting! I will have to try this sometime.
    Speaking of cake-I am making that famous dump cake you posted maybe last year for Mother’s Day. My MIIL said I can make any dessert I want and I chose that one! Can not wait to try it out!

  19. Sharon on May 15, 2017 at 11:05 am

    I just made this, and it’s so good! Thanks for the recipe.

  20. shane on May 17, 2017 at 8:07 am

    Oh hell yes! I have been looking for something proteiny and healthy for those after gym health snacks.
    Have you tried it with any other flour types? I cant seem to find any rice flour anywhere!

    • Fitnessista on May 17, 2017 at 8:37 am

      i think whole grain or spelt would work well! please let me know if you give it a try

  21. shane on May 17, 2017 at 9:15 am

    Will do! I love trying new things. Will keep you updated!

  22. Jessi on June 8, 2017 at 10:24 am

    Love that so delicious looking cookies!!! Have to make it for our family breakfast this Sunday:)

  23. Paola on June 14, 2017 at 7:08 pm

    This looks amazing! Definitely will have to try this. Thanks for sharing!

  24. Gabriel on June 19, 2017 at 10:16 pm

    http://www.netshoes.com.br/produto/cacao-whey-protein-hidrolisado-450g–essential-nutrition-N34-0047-799?campaign=gglepqpla&gclid=CjwKEAjw7J3KBRCxv93Q3KSukXQSJADzFzVSULGN9OHSB–OP1IS3IWFYXdmY-mmihsWVBWuqVvsiRoCPmTw_wcB

    A friend of mine recomended this Whey, this site is brazillian and I really don’t know if they export to US… But you should give it a try if you find how to get it! My told me she doesn’t even have to put milk with because the whey tastes very good.

  25. Amanda on October 1, 2017 at 10:24 am

    is this Chocolate peanut butter good for bodybuilders, and if so how much they can have a day??

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