No Bake Cookies {High Protein/Macro Friendly}

 

I have been asked by so many people for this recipe since I posted it weeks ago! This by far was one of my favorites and hands down guilt-ish free snack.  I say guilt-ish because nothing ever is totally FREE when it comes to our bodies and food, unless it is water! 🙂

One of the things I preach to my family when they taste test some new recipe or made up version I have whipped up is that you can’t compare it to the fatty version, the best version, your mom or grandmas cooking.  Go in tasting these cookies expecting that they won’t taste EXACTLY like the fatted up version of no bakes but damn these are a close second.

*Please take note that you can prepare this recipe in a few different ways as I had trial and error.  I prefer my foods as all natural and non-GMO as I can get so I tend to look at the ingredients like a hawk in most of the things I use to cook and bake with.  Sugar is a demon just a big fat demon.  In this recipe it will call for Sugar Free Fat Free Instant Pudding packet.  In the instant pudding by major brands and off brands  it does contain ASPARTAME.  A lot of people try and avoid this ingredient along with splenda, etc. Just as I do.  I will post two places you can make your own pudding mix with stevia if you are looking to TOTALLY avoid ASPARTAME.  There is one brand I found that is ASPARTAME free but it is made with splenda, no thanks!*

Ingredients

1. 8 scoops of vanilla protein powder *use whichever brand you like, I use Cellucor and you don’t have to use vanilla I find it tastes best with vanilla but also good with chocolate or Cellucor PB Marshmallow.
2. 2 c. unsweetened coconut milk (So Delicious brand is best)
3. 3 c. quick oats *depending on your taste for texture, steel cut is also a try*
4. 1 packet of Sugar Free, Fat Free Chocolate Pudding Mix  (you can find two recipes to make your own if you are avoiding ASPARTAME, here and here) *Note in the second link you want to avoid all wet ingredients since you just want a dry mix*
5. 1/2 c. All Natural Peanut/Almond/High Protein Butter (OPTIONAL, I just happen to be totally addicted to PB and find ways to put it in everything)

Directions

1. Mix coconut milk with protein powder, pudding mix and optional Peanut Butter. (You may do this over low heat but heat isn’t required, if you do over low heat you may find that you need to add more milk to make no bake consistency when adding oats)
2. Add oats and stir.
3. You may put on parchment paper and scoop like cookies or put in a cake pan.
4. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
5. If in cake pan, cut and serve.

120 calories, 4 g. fat, 9 g. carbs, 18 g protein (Note: Your nutrition may be different depending on Peanut butter, protein powder, etc)

Side note, if you are interested in learning about sugar substitutes, aspartame, stevia you can find one particular article here that I enjoy that just gives cold hard facts.  Like anything I think we are entitled to our own opinions, tastes and judgments, use what you please and enjoy! 🙂