Dark Chocolate Protein Cookies

I woke up this morning at 3:30 a.m. and could NOT go back to sleep. Whenever this happens I usually find something to clean, bake, or cook until the rest of the world wakes up. This morning I decided to stalk Anna's blog for some baking inspiration. Most of my protein cookies have been fails, and I wanted to step up my game. So after reading through some of her recipes and tips for protein cookies, Dark Chocolate Protein Cookies were born! Finally, a protein cookie that's moist, perfectly chewy, and doesn't taste like rubber :)

                         

Dark Chocolate Protein Cookies

1/4 cup chocolate whey protein (I use Cellucor)
1/4 cup quinoa flour (could probably sub oat flour)
2 tablespoons almond flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
1/8 teaspoon butter extract (optional, but adds some flavor)
10-20 drops liquid stevia (depending on how sweet you like it!)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Beat egg. Combine egg with all remaining ingredients (I mixed it in a large bowl).
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Drop cookie batter by the tablespoon onto the paper. Flatten the tops slightly with the back of a spoon for a better shape (don't get too crazy- the batter is sticky!).
4. Bake 10 minutes or until done.

Peanut Butter Cookie Protein Pancakes

I really love using Metabolic Nutrition protein powder for my pancakes. They seem to have this mysterious "fluff" factor that other powders don't have. I've only tried their Peanut Butter Cookie flavor- and it's delicious! 

You'll see that I add cauliflower to almost all of my pancake recipes. I promise you don't taste it, and it makes your pancakes more moist and cake-like!

If you don't have the protein powder I used, use what you have! This recipe works with any whey protein.

Some of my ingredients may sound unfamiliar, but they are staples in my pantry. I described most of my ingredient choices and where to find them on my post "Tips For Fluffy Protein Pancakes". I always order them online from Vitacost because they have such a large selection and it's much cheaper than grocery stores. Plus, you don't have to leave your house. Groceries delivered right to you door! Here's a link to get money off yor first order:

Peanut Butter Cookie Protein Pancakes 

Ingredients:

 3/4 scoop (20 grams) Peanut Butter Cookie protein powder (Metabolic Nutrition)

3 tableapoons quinoa flour 

1 teaspoon psyllium husk 

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup canned pumpkin 

3 tablespoons egg whites

A few splashes almond milk 

Splash of butterscotch extract

Stevia to taste 

Directions: 

1. Preheat a nonstick pan over medium heat and coat with cooking spray.

2. Place your cauliflower in a food processor and blend until finely chopped. Place in a bowl and microwave 40 seconds. 

3. Place all remaining ingredients (including cauliflower) in your food processor. Add the milk as needed. You want your batter to be THICK. 

4. Add batter to your pan by the spoonful (pan should be hot by this time). Cook until edges set and bubbles start to form, then flip. Cook another 3-4 minutes on the other side, or until cooked through. 

My favorite way to eat my pancakes is to layer them with Greek yogurt sweetened with stevia, and then top with either almond butter or peanut butter!

Chocolate Banana Quinoa Pancakes with Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce

I love trying new foods and experimenting with pancakes. I always try to order one new item that I haven't tried before whenever I place an order at iherb.com (one of my favorite places to order most of my flours and stevia extracts). My last order included quinoa flour. Quinoa flour is one of the oldest cultivated grains in the world- the Inca's called it the "mother of all grains". Quinoa is higher in protein than most grains, it is gluten free, and it is a rich source of iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. I am loving the flavor and texture that it gives my pancakes! It's similar to coconut flour in that it makes my pancakes fluffy, but it doesn't require as much liquid. Quinoa flour is officially a pantry staple for me! If you decide to order it from iherb.com, you can use my discount code (on my home page) to get money off your first order!

Note: If you don't have Sunwarrior protein powder, you can probably use regular whey protein, but don't use as much milk (whey protein doesn't absorb as much liquid). Remember, the thicker the batter, the better the pancakes! Also, don't fear the cauliflower. I use it in almost ALL of my pancake recipes because it gives such an amazing cake-like texture. You don't taste it- I promise!

Pancake time!

                               

                              

Chocolate Banana Quinoa Pancakes with Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce

Ingredients for Pancakes:

1/3 cup riced cauliflower (put in a food processor and pulse until it looks like couscous)
1/4 cup quinoa flour
3/4 scoop Sunwarrior Chocolate Protein Powder
1/2 tablespoon psyllium husk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 medium banana (about 50 grams)
3 tablespoons egg whites
1/3 cup almond milk

Ingredients for Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce (optional- use whatever sauces and toppings you like!):

1 tablespoon Walden Farms sugar-free chocolate syrup
2 tablespoons peanut flour (or PB2)
Water

1. Put the riced cauliflower in a small bowl and cook in the microwave for 40 seconds. Set aside.
2. Heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Add all of the pancake ingredients into a food processor (including the cauliflower). Blend until smooth.
3. Add pancake batter by the spoonful. Cook until the edges set and small bubbles start to form. Flip. Cook on the other side about 3-4 minutes.
4. To make the sauce, combine the chocolate syrup and the peanut flour. Slowly add water until it becomes a thick sauce. Layer the pancakes with the sauce. Enjoy!

Strawberry Banana Protein Pancakes

The only thing that could've made these pancakes better is if I had fresh strawberries to decorate them with. So delicious! You can probably use a different type of flour if you don't have quinoa flour, but I definitely recommend it!

                             

Strawberry Banana Protein Pancakes:

Ingredients: 

3/4 scoop (20 g) Stawberry Milkshake whey protein by Cellucor (or any brand)

3 tablespoons quinoa flour

1/2 tablespoon psyllium husk

1/2 teaspoon baking powder 

1 stevia packet 

1/3 cup riced cauliflower 

1/2 medium banana (50 grams)

3 tablespoons egg whites

1 tablespoon almond milk

Directions: 

1. Preheat a large non stick pan over medium hear. Coat with cooking spray. 

 2. Place cauliflower in a food processor and finely chop. Place in a bowl and microwave 40 seconds.

3. Add all ingredients including the cauliflower to your food processor. Blend until smooth.

4. Add pancake batter to your pan by the spoonful. Cook until edges set and then flip. Cook another 3-4 minutes on the other side. Serve with your favorite toppings/fillings!

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Quinoa Pancakes

These were so amazing that I contemplated crying when they were over. I love the combination of pumpkin and peanut butter. Plus the pumpkin keeps the pancakes moist. The cauliflower sounds weird, but trust me! You can't taste it, and it makes your pancakes thick and cake-like. 

                             

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Quinoa Pancakes

Ingredients:

 

3/4 scoop Peanut Butter Cookie protein powder (by Metabolic Nutrition)

3 tablespoons quinoa flour 

1/2 tablespoon psyllium husk 

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 stevia packet 

1/3 cup riced cauliflower

1/4 cup canned pumpkin

3 tablespoons egg whites

2 tablespoons almond milk

1/4 teaspoon butterscotch extract (optional)

DIrections:

1. Preheat a large non stick pan over medium hear. Coat with cooking spray. 

 2. Place cauliflower in a food processor and finely chop. Place in a bowl and microwave 40 seconds.

3. Add all ingredients including the cauliflower to your food processor. Blend until smooth.

4. Add pancake batter to your pan by the spoonful. Cook until edges set and then flip. Cook another 3-4 minutes on the other side. Serve with your favorite toppings/fillings!