Recipe: Healthy Strawberry Peanut Butter Protein Bread

Lately I have been suffering from somewhat of a crazy obsession. 

I am obsessed with strawberries. I hoard them away in the fridge, devouring them at every opportunity and incorporating them into every recipe or food item possible. 

But how could you blame me? Strawberries are so good right now - and they're coming down in price. After a few months of being strawberry-less as I'm not a multimillionaire, I'm making the most of the cheaper prices!

Since I am currently obsessed with strawberries, I knew I had to incorporate them into a recipe to share with you all. I had a million and one ideas floating around my head, however, there's one strawberry combination I just cannot get enough of lately...

Strawberries and peanut butter. 

I don't know what it is about the salty sweetness of peanut butter mixed with sweet juicy strawberries but it is so good and I have been topping my overnight oats with strawberries and melty peanut butter for the last month or so.

This Strawberry & Peanut Butter Protein Bread is the ultimate recreation of my current favourite combination. It's moist and full of flavour with juicy bursts of strawberries. Best of all? You can make it year-round as you can use frozen strawberries instead of fresh!

We're always looking for a protein packed treat to keep on hand for quick snacks or desserts and with over 14g protein per slice, this bread has fast become one of our all time favourites. 

So let me share the recipe with you! >> 

Recipe: Vanilla Protein Cupcakes with Protein Glaze

As someone who both works out daily and lives a very active life, I'm always looking for ways to add more protein into my diet - but that doesn't have to mean eating chicken breast after chicken breast. Lately I've been loving protein treats of all kinds and have had lots of fun making protein packed treats that not only help you power through your day but taste great too!

These protein cupcakes were created on a whim. Jesse and I decided we both wanted something sweet and we'd just finished off a batch of our Salted Caramel Stuffed Banana Protein Cupcakes so I decided to create a new protein cupcake recipe. 

Instead of a stiff piped frosting, I decided to try something completely different and make a maple protein glaze - a healthier, refined sugar free frosting option that you will have to stop yourself from eating with a spoon! 

These cupcakes are deliciously soft and fluffy whilst also being low carb and packed with protein! They're a guilt free treat that's perfect for dessert or a post workout snack!

And, if you're worried that a protein cupcake surely has to taste awful - worry not! As with every recipe you see on Southern In-Law, it's been tried and tested and tweaked so that we can sure the most delicious recipe with you - and it's Jesse approved! (and he is oneeeeeeeeee fussy guy!). There's no funky tasting protein treats around these parts, friends!

So let me share the recipe with you >> 

Recipe: Healthy Caramel Stuffed Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Truth be known, I hadn't actually planned to post this recipe today, however, seeing as my husband has told just about every person he's come into contact with about these cupcakes since trying them for the first time, I decided I really needed to share the recipe ASAP!

You see, these cupcakes are Jesse's current favourite. They're not the prettiest cupcakes in the world but Jesse is obsessed and what they lack in prettiness, they make up for in deliciousness.

Seeing as they are Jesse's current favourite, I decided to ask him for his description for the blog.... and this is what I got... 

They can not be described....

It's almost like a dream...

Are you writing this down?

I don't know... you just need to make them again? All the time? 

Because they're the best freaking cupcakes in the entire world.....

It made me feel like the fat kid off Matilda eating that chocolate cake...

You don't have any more of those... do you?

Yes husband, of course I'm writing that down - and that, ladies and gentleman, is why Kristy pens the blog :P But I can't really blame him... these cupcakes really are that good - and considering he just rummaged through the fridge to find the last remaining one, I think it's quite clear that I really did have to share the recipe with you right away.

This recipe starts with the most incredible banana protein cupcakes - but once they're out of the oven that's when the magic starts to happen.....  

Now, I don't usually recommend taking to cupcakes with a sharp knife, but in this case I most certainly do. First you've got to take out the middle of your cupcakes to create a well in the middle. 

Why? Because we're going to fill them with a healthy salted caramel filling and the pop the top back on to keep it safe and secure in the centre.

But if that wasn't decadent enough - we're then going to top your cupcakes with a healthy cream cheese frosting to cover up your franken-cupcake handiwork (and because cream cheese frosting is awesome) and then you're going to have a taste sensation right there and then. 

And I know what you're thinking.... and howwwwwwwwww are these decadent cupcakes healthy? Why, because I made them of course! ;) 

These cupcakes, whilst seemingly decadent and calorie laden, are low fat, gluten free, refined sugar free, high in protein and low in calories. Can I get a hallelujah?! 

But enough jibber-jabberring, let me share the recipe with you! >> 

Recipe: Caramel Apple Protein Muffins

I'm a bit of a protein muffin addict at the moment. We usually whip up 2-3 batches of protein filled treats each week to keep on hand for a quick and healthy snack or dessert option. 

But we don't make the same recipe every time! In fact, the best part of our protein treat addiction is that we're constantly creating new recipes and trying new combinations. As a general rule we remake one favourite a week and try out a brand new recipe a week - that way there's always something delicious around! 

These Caramel Apple Protein Muffins were born when we had waaaaaaaaaay too many apples in the house (after picking 6kg for the two of us on our apple picking trip) and I had a serious date craving. Combine the two and you get the most delicious protein muffin recipe that's full of flavour!

The muffin itself is moist and has just the right amount of cinnamon spice with juicy bursts of apple and caramel-like dates. They're soft and fluffy and I bet you'll find yourself making batch after batch after batch like we have been too!

Best of all? You can make up a big batch and freeze them to ensure you always have a quick and healthy option available. When you're ready to eat one, either defrost it in the fridge overnight or pop it into the microwave for 20-30 seconds and you're good to go!

But let me share the recipe with you! >> 

Recipe: Healthy Cheesecake Swirled Protein Brownies

In the SIL house, Tuesdays are always Taco Tuesdays (and if it's not tacos on the table, we call it Mexicano Martes - also known as Mexican Tuesday - because we have to have mexican food at least once a week) - but that means that every Wednesday I usually have a bunch of leftover black beans laying around. 

This recipe was created one Wednesday when I had leftover black beans sitting in the fridge but I didn't just want brownies. We'd just finished up a batch of protein muffins and I wanted to make a protein filled treat butttttttttt  I also needed to use up those black beans and I really wanted cheesecake. 

So what does one do when faced with that situation? Combine all of the above, of course!

And so this random concoction of deliciousness was born! Combining brownies and cheesecake in a high protein recipe that also uses up those leftover black beans, this is a recipe that's deceptively simple to make and deceptively healthy. 

But if the idea of using black beans skeeves you out, don't worry! I've also included a beanless version that can be whipped up in minutes and tastes just as delicious - and if you're not a fan of protein powder there's a protein powderless option as well.

Why the different options? Because I seriously can't have you miss out on these babies.

With a moist and fudgy brownie base and sweet, fluffy cheesecake topping, this is a recipe I'm sure you too will be making week after week. 

In fact, don't be surprised if you find yourself willingly having black bean tacos every Tuesday just because it means you can make these with the leftover beans ;) 

But let me share the recipe with you so you can make them yourself! >>

Recipe: Healthy Oatmeal Protein Pancakes for One

After such a jam packed weekend last week, this past weekend was a rather lazy one. I wasn't well and Jesse was heading off to Canberra to work for the week on Sunday afternoon so we decided to soak up as much together time as possible and do absolutely nothing. 

Nothing that is except eat pancakes, watch movies and laze about in warm and comfy clothes - our idea of the perfect lazy weekend.

Pancakes have to be one of my favourite meals ever and I think they're the ultimate weekend treat. Whilst we have a million and one pancake recipes that we use, we're always coming up with new ideas and trying different combinations. 

Lately we've been adding a protein punch to our pancakes stacks with these Oatmeal Protien Pancakes - and they are so ridiculously delicious we've been whipping up at least a batch a week. They're super thick and fluffy and so easy to make your own. 

Mix through some chocolate chips or juicy blueberries. 

Add in some thick banana slices for thick, caramelised banana pancakes. 

Switch it up with your favourite flavour protein powder.

Make them into peanut butter pancakes by switching protein powder for peanut flour.

Pimp your pancakes with whatever toppings tickle your fancy. 

The possibilities are endless because this is the perfect base recipe!

Jesse and I both tend to go our own route when it comes to the toppings. I'm the peanut butter queen who hassssssssss to top her pancakes with an abundance of thick, stick-to-your-mouth peanut butter whilst Jesse prefers to keep it traditional with butter and syrup. 

Whatever your toppings or mix ins, you'll have a perfect single serve stack with a whopping 25 grams of protein in just a few minutes. 

But enough talking, let me give you the recipe so you can make them yourself! >> 

Recipe: Peanut Butter and Banana Protein Cupcakes

 

It's funny how we associate certain foods as gross before we even try them. For me, one of the things I thought was totally gross was protein powder.

Why? Because I'd only ever known it to be filled with junk; artificial sweeteners, ingredients with names half a mile long, foreign bits and pieces and soy soy soy. That was until I found a protein powder that was completely natural and Kristy friendly (with no funky ingredients to upset my sensitive stomach and no soy or artificial sweeteners inside) and started to play around with it. 

Jesse, however, wasn't so convinced.... until I made these cupcakes. He knew they had protein powder in them, but they smelt so good and looked so good he just couldn't resist...

And could you blame him?

We've been calling these the I Can't Believe They're Protein Cupcakes because they're seriously, ridiculously delicious. Full of peanut butter and banana flavour, moist and delicious and topped with an incredible peanut butter cream cheese frosting you really can't go wrong!

But best of all? For those of you who still aren't convinced by the protein powder - we tested them without the protein powder and they're still absolutely delicious (just obviously not so high in protein!) so you can whip these up for yourself as well!

But let me share the recipe with you so you can make them yourself! >>

Recipe: Healthy Coffee Protein Muffins

I have to apologise for being a little distant from the blog over the past couple of weeks. 

You see, things are craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy busy in the SIL world and I've hardly had a chance to sit down and relax - let alone work on recipes or put together a blog post. 

My to-do list is a mile long and I'm in and out of the door like a yo-yo - but you know what that means?

Girl needs snacks. 

Actually, I always need snacks, but lately I've needed portable ones so each time I've had a spare moment to myself I've been whipping up a bunch of protein muffins to freeze for a quick and easy snack option. 

But when a girl in need of protein packed snacks also loves her coffee, you combine the two and get the most delicious Coffee Protein Muffin Recipe - and that's what I'm sharing with you today!

They're soft, moist, delicious and full of coffee flavour whilst also being jam packed with protein. 

Each muffin has around 8g of protein whilst being low carb, refined sugar free, flourless/grain free (even paleo, if you use a paleo protein powder!) and gluten free and each muffin clocks in at around 125 calories so they're the perfect snack or dessert option.

The secret to making perfect low carb, high protein muffins? Silicone muffin tins! 

Whilst regular muffin tins work too, silicone muffin tins make it easy to bake and pop out your muffins as sometimes they can stick to the bottom of a regular muffin tin if they haven't been greased well. 

Don't have silicone muffin tins? Be sure to grease your tins really well or use paper muffin/cupcake case instead!

But enough yapping, right? You came here for the recipe, right?!

So let me share the recipe with you! >>

Recipe: Healthy Flourless Protein Brownies

As someone who's quite active, I always like to make sure I'm getting enough protein in my diet. Sure, I could eat processed protein bars but, really, I find them quite bland or chalky and would much rather eat something delicious. 

These protein brownies came about as the result of an experiment, as many of my recipes do! I had a big tub of protein powder that I wanted to use up and I decided to try baking with it. Being a chocoholic, naturally I decided protein brownies were the thing to try so I set to work.

At first, I wasn't sure about these protein brownies. They're different to your traditional brownie and quite a bit cakier - but when I found myself making batch after batch after batch I realised I was hooked - and after a few tweaks and changes I came up with the perfect recipe. 

Best of all? It only has seven ingredients but each brownie packs a serious protein punch with around 11 grams of protein per brownie. They're also low fat, low carb and even lower in calories than most other brownies so there's a whole lot to love!

I tend to make about a batch a week of these babies as they're the perfect quick and easy protein packed snack. We also switch up the mix ins or toppings for the brownies with each batch because they're even better with chocolate chips stirred through the batter or a healthier chocolate frosting on top - but sometimes we keep it simple and eat them as is as well.

But let me share the recipe with you so that you can make them yourself! >>