Protein For The Holidays

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by Hannah (BitterSweet)
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In this day and age, it’s stunning that there are still any lingering concerns about where vegans get their protein from. That said, not all sources are created equal, and I’m still a big fan of protein shakes for quick nutrition infusions on the go. The field is littered with failed attempts at appealing only to health nuts, and not necessarily their taste buds, so it’s with great trepidation that I would tempt fate and deviate from my tried-and-true rotation of powdered options.

Thank goodness pea protein gives us an allergen-free option that works beautifully in drinks, cakes, and cookies alike. Excited by this new protein-packed ingredient, I wanted to see what else it could do to supercharge some other snacks. With an eye to the holidays, it seemed like the perfect thing to turn into a festive, yet healthy indulgence.

Does anything say “indulgence” better than a vanilla bean-flecked bark, covered with toasted pistachios and sweetened dried cranberries?

Well, what about a thick slab of chocolate, dotted with crunchy crushed cacao nibs and a smattering of flaky sea salt?

Just because it’s classified as candy doesn’t mean it has to be unhealthy. I’d like to think that protein bark is the new protein bar, with an extra dose of holiday whimsy mixed in. Whether it’s a gift you give to friends and family or simply to yourself, it’s guaranteed to be in good taste!

Yield: Makes 20 - 24 Servings

Protein Holiday Bark

Protein Holiday Bark

Just because it’s classified as candy doesn’t mean it has to be unhealthy. I’d like to think that protein bark is the new protein bar, with an extra dose of holiday whimsy mixed in. Whether it’s a gift you give to friends and family or simply to yourself, it’s guaranteed to be in good taste!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

Peppermint Cacao Bark:

  • 6 Ounces (1 Cup) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • 1/4 Cup Chocolate Pea Protein Powder
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract
  • 1/4 Cup Cacao Nibs
  • Coarse or Flaky Sea Salt

Cranberry-Pistachio Bark:

  • 1/2 Cup Refined Coconut Oil
  • 1/2 Cup Vanilla Pea Protein Powder
  • 3 Tablespoons Confectioners' Sugar
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste or Powder
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Cup Toasted, Unsalted Pistachios
  • 1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries

Instructions

  1. For the Peppermint Cacao Bark, place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe dish and heat at 30 second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each cycle, until completely melted. Add in the protein powder and peppermint extract, mixing thoroughly.
  2. Once the powder is completely incorporated, spread the mixture out on a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Smooth it out as thinly as possible with a wide spatula; exact dimensions aren’t important.
  3. Sprinkle the cacao nibs and a pinch of sea salt over the top, gently pressing the goodies into the surface so that they adhere. Place in the fridge for at least 20 minutes for the bark to solidify before breaking into pieces and enjoying.
  4. For the Cranberry-Pistachio Bark, place the coconut oil in a microwave-safe dish and heat until liquefied. Add in the protein powder, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla paste or powder, and salt, stirring until the mixture is homogeneous.
  5. Allow it to sit in a cool place for about 15 minutes, stirring periodically, until it begins to thicken and solidify again. If you house is very warm, place it in the fridge for only 5 – 10 minutes, stirring every minute or so for the same effect.
  6. Spread the mixture out on a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat as thinly as possible with a wide spatula; exact dimensions aren’t important. Once smooth, sprinkle the pistachios and cranberries evenly over the top, gently pressing the goodies into the surface so that they adhere.
  7. Place in the fridge for at least 20 minutes for the bark to solidify before breaking into pieces and enjoying.
  8. Store either rendition in an airtight container in the fridge or a cool place for up to a week.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 160Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 65mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 3g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Candy

12 thoughts on “Protein For The Holidays”

  5. I was just thinking about trying protein powder in chocolate – love this! Thanks for bringing this protein powder to my attention – I hadn’t seen it. And that pea protein does thicken like nobody’s business!

  7. Is the D3 in this powder vegan? I hate that vitamins can be a hidden gotcha in something otherwise perfectly animal free. If it’s vegan D3 I will totally try this, as I also am hesitant to stray from my “known” powders (your recommendation means a lot!)

  8. Hi Rachey – Thanks for your question! We have considered this in our formulation, and yes our D3 IS Vegan!
    Our D3 is made from lichen, a plant, a natural source of Vegan D3.

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