Protein Peanut Butter Cups

I LOVE peanut butter! I really love Reese's peanut butter cups! Especially the white chocolate ones.  I will indulge in one from time to time, but they aren't exactly good for you...So I decided to try and come up with something that tastes just as wonderful, but is also healthy! I am happy to say I have succeeded!! 

How awesome do those look?! If you notice, there are 3 of them! Not just 2! Because all 3 of these are under 200 calories.  Plus they have 30 grams of protein! Whoo :)

These are super easy to make! You just need vanilla protein powder, unsweetened almond milk, sugar free fat free vanilla pudding mix, PB2, and sweetener of choice.

Of course you can make yours chocolate! Just use chocolate protein powder and chocolate pudding mix! I used vanilla almond milk but plain is fine.  You could really use any kind of milk.  Also, any peanut butter or nut butter will do.  

To start, mix together your milk, protein powder, pudding mix and sweetener.  You can leave the sweetener out, but I like my sweets extra sweet!

Make sure it's nice and smooth.  It will be a little thinner than pudding. 

Put a spoonful into each cup.  I used silicon baking cups.  The paper ones should work, although they may stick a bit...You could probably just make them right in a cupcake pan, but I would lightly spray it with some nonstick spray.  You could even just make a giant one in a bowl!

I made 3, but you could make 2 bigger ones...whatever you prefer.  Or double the recipe to make even more!

Stick them in the freezer while we mix up our peanut butter.

Just mix some PB2 with water and add sweetener if desired.  You don't want it too runny.  You can add lots of peanut butter or just a little bit. Whatever your little heart desires.

Take cups out of freezer and put on a dollop of peanut butter.  

Freeze again and top with remaining pudding protein mix. Stick them back in the freezer for about 30 minutes and enjoy!

My oh my! These were delicious! You can eat them straight out of the freezer, or let them sit in the fridge for a few minutes to soften up. 

They do melt kinda fast, but don't worry, they won't last that long!!

Mmmm...what a bite! Now if you only wanted to eat one, it would only be about 67 calories.  

I think I will stick with eating them all myself :)

If for some crazy reason you have any left over, you can store them in the freezer for quite a while.  They are great right out of the freezer or you can let them thaw for a minute.  Beware! They melt quickly! 

Protein Peanut Butter Cups

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (30g)
• 4 T unsweetened vanilla almond milk (40g)
• 1 T sugar free fat free vanilla pudding mix (8g)
• 2 T PB2 (12g)
• sweetener to taste

1. Mix together protein powder, milk, and pudding mix until smooth.  
2. Put a spoonful in each silicon baking cup and freeze. Makes 2 or 3. 
3. Mix PB2 with sweetener and water to thin to regular peanut butter consistency.
4. Put a dollop of peanut butter in each cup and freeze.
5. Top with remaining protein pudding mixture.
6. Freeze for about 30 minutes or until set. 
7. Enjoy! Any not eaten can be stored in the freezer :)

**You can sub any flavor protein powder, any type of milk, any pudding flavor, and any peanut butter or nut butter!!** Tons of flavor possibilities!!!

Under 200 calories for whole batch!

3 grams Fat

14 grams Carb

30 grams Protein

**White chocolate, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate??

Protein Ice Cream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!! Well, how about some healthy ice cream?! Yes, there is such things.  I am talking about a HUGE bowl with only 140 calories AND 44 grams of protein.  It tastes good too!! And there are soooo many flavor possibilities! Take a look at that bowl!

FYI...that is not a small bowl! That is a mixing bowl! Which is overflowing...with goodness...

Ok, ingredients you will need are:

Protein powder of your choice.  Casein or whey will work, any flavor at all!! I am using vanilla ice cream because it seems appropriate! Milk, I am using my favorite unsweetened almond milk :) The magical ingredient - xanthan gum!! You can find this at most grocery stores in the gluten free or baking section.  Go get some!!! Also, any other flavorings you want to add.  I am using some sugar free english toffee syrup.  You could add vanilla, unsweetened cocoa powder, cinnamon....whatever!!

You also need a decent blender that can at least blend ice! I got everything nicely measured out.  1 scoop protein powder (30g), 1/2 cup milk (120ml), and 1/2 t xanthan (2g).  

Throw all that into your blender along with any other flavorings you wish.  I also added some wonderful cancerous Splenda!

You can add as much ice as you want.  I use about 4 cups.  Just wait til you see what the magical xanthan gum does to this!!

You may also need to add a little water or extra milk to get it all mixed smoothly.  Once you get a good consistency, turn the blender on high and let it blend for 10-15 minutes.  

I know I know, that's a long time to blend...trust me!!!

MAGIC!! Remember how we started at 4 cups?? Now we have 9 cups of ice cream!!!! 

 That is what xanthan gum does! Volume!!!! I believe McDonald's uses it in their milkshakes...but this is waaaay healthier than anything from that place!

Scavenge your cupboard for a bowl big enough to fit all this goodness...

Mixing bowl it is...

Time for toppings!!! Can't have ice cream without toppings right?? You can add basically anything you can think of! Sprinkles, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, whipped cream, fruit, nuts...

I am keeping them calories low so Walden Farms it is! If you never heard of these before I can't be your friend you should try them! A little pricey but they are calorie free!! Gotta love fat free Reddi wip too! 

Woah!!! I don't know if you remember or not, but this whole bowl is only 140 calories!!! Maybe 145 with the whipped topping...Plus 25 grams of protein! What?! Now that is a dessert.  

Oh my....And this dessert will fill you up!! Volume + protein = fullness!

Protein Ice Cream

• 1 scoop protein powder (30g)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (120ml)
• 1/2 t xanthan gum (2g)
• other flavorings...syrups, spices...
• sweetener to taste

Add all ingredients to blender.  Add some water if necessary to blend smooth.  Put blender on high for 10-15 minutes.  Eat all the ice cream!!! Top with whatever!!

140 calories without toppings

2g Fat

4g Carb

25g Protein