Protein Sugar Cookie Loaf is the definition of holiday bliss. Healthy sugar cookie loaf cake made with protein powder and no actual sugar – just the sprinkles.
Jump to RecipeHello, health-conscious food friends!This recipe is not only a magical holiday taste sensation but also a guilt-free indulgence. It’s like eating a sugar cookie and cake and loaf in one – and packed with protein.
Basically having a treat for the holidays but actually keeping your fitness goals in check. What more could we want this time of year, right?!
Ingredients for Protein Sugar Cookie Loaf:
This recipe for high protein sugar cookie loaf is made with a few simple ingredients; It’s for whole wheat pastry flour, uses protein powder as a sweetener and only very little butter. No oil or eggs needed, and the only sugar comes from the sprinkles.
- Vanilla Protein Powder: For a sugar cookie cake that’s low sugar; I used Flex brand Vanilla protein powder.
- Unflavored Protein Powder: To add extra protein and remove some of the carbs. I use Quest Multipurpose protein powder.
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
- Coconut Flour
- 1:1 Zero Calorie Sugar Substitute – I use Lakanto, to keep this recipe sugar free; (code HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount here)
- Unsweetened Applesauce
- Hot Water
- Some Lemon Juice
- A bit of Melted Butter
- Baking Soda
- Vanilla Extract
- Holiday Sprinkles
For the Protein Frosting for this Sugar Cookie Loaf Cake:
- Vanilla Protein Powder: I recommend Quest Nutrition Vanilla here since it’s whey-casein and blends well with the yogurt to make a smooth protein frosting.
- Non-fat Greek Yogurt
How to make Sugar Cookie Loaf Cake with Protein Powder
This sugar cookie loaf cake uses protein powder as a sweetener, but really isn’t complicated to make. A healthy and easy recipe for Christmas. Here’s what it takes:
Preheat and Prep:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, vanilla protein powder, unflavored protein powder, coconut flour, baking soda until well combined.
Combine Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, mix together the hot water, applesauce, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Create Batter:
Gently whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until a thick batter forms.
Fold in the holiday sprinkles for added fun (just for a second so the color doesn’t bleed too much!).
Bake to Perfection:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
Bake for 25 minutes, cover with foil and bake another 8-10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool:
Allow the sugar cookie loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool.
Frost:
Whisk yogurt and protein powder in a bowl. Spread on top of loaf cake and top with more holiday sprinkles.
Slice into 10 delectable portions.
Tips for perfect Sugar Cookie Protein Bread
This sugar cookie protein bread really is easy to make, but here’s some pointers to keep in mind when baking to get it right.
- Use whey-casein protein powder since It works well with the ratio of ingredients in this healthy sugar cookie bread dessert recipe.
Whey-casein absorbs more liquid, and whey absorbs less, so you need to adjust the liquid accordingly.
- Use melted butter so that it mixes well into the cake batter.
- Don’t overmix the batter!
Pour the wet mix into the dry mix and whisk until combined. Don’t over-mix it or too much gluten will develop, which is what will make the cake gummy and dense. - Taste the batter and see if you need some extra sweetener. I’d recommend using stevia powder to maintain the consistency of the batter and have low sugar sugar cookie cake.
- Don’t let the batter sit out too long; Pour immediately into baking pan and bake to avoid any reactions between the ingredients.
- Don’t over-bake the cake or it will get tough; Remove when the tester/knife comes out just dry, but moist.
- Let cake cool completely before frosting or the frosting will melt.
For the Frosting in this Macro Friendly Sugar Cookie Loaf:
- Use whey-casein protein powder since it mixes well with the yogurt.
- Add milk if necessary; Mix the frosting well first, and then add milk if still too dry.
- Taste to see if it needs additional sweetener. Add stevia if needed.
How to store Sugar Cookie Loaf Cake?
This sugar cookie loaf cake keeps at room temperature for 2-3 hours. For extended freshness, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze slices for a grab-and-go healthy dessert option.
Fridge: Store Sugar cookie protein loaf in airtight container in the fridge for 4 or 5 days.
Freezer: Slice protein sugar cookie cake, wrap in plastic wrap, and place the pieces in a freezer-safe zipper bag. You can even store the whole cake itself!
Thaw before eating.
Alternatives for Healthy Sugar Cookie Loaf with No Sugar
For the perfect healthy sugar cookie loaf recipe with no sugar, I used protein powder to replace the sugar. I really would recommend using the ingredients and brands listed, but here’s some healthy alternatives you can try.
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: Use All purpose flour or 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour in the same amount by weight not cups.
- Coconut Flour: ½ cup more Flour or ½ cup Oat Flour
- Melted Butter: Melted Coconut Oil or Dairy Free Butter
- Lemon Juice: Apple Cider Vinegar or White Vinegar
- Greek Yogurt: Coconut Yogurt
More High Protein Loaf recipes:
- Protein Cookie Dough Bread
- Protein Gingerbread Loaf
- The Best Protein Carrot Cake Loaf you’ll Ever Have!
- Double Chocolate Protein Loaf with Nutella
More Sugar Cookie – Inspired Recipes:
Protein Sugar Cookie Loaf: Easy Healthy Bliss
Ingredients
- ½ cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour, see post for subs, 60g
- ⅔ cup Vanilla Protein Powder, Flex Whey-casein, 60g
- ¼ cup Unflavored Protein Powder, Whey-casein, 22g
- ¼ cup Coconut Flour, 28g
- 1½ Tbsp Zero Calorie Monkfruit Sweetener, 18g
- 1½ tsp Baking Soda
- 1 cup + 2 Tbsp Hot Water, 270ml
- ¾ cup Unsweetened Applesauce, 180g
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 tsp Melted Butter, 10g
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 3 Tbsp Holiday Sprinkles
Protein Frosting:
- ½ cup Non-fat Greek Yogurt, 112g
- ¼ cup Vanilla Protein Powder, Quest Whey-Casein, 22g
- Stevia Sweetener to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8"x4" loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, vanilla protein powder, unflavored protein powder, coconut flour and baking soda.
- In a large bowl, whisk together hot water, applesauce, lemon juice, melted butter and vanilla.
- Add wet mix to dry, and gently whisk until just combined.DO NOT OVER-MIX or protein powder will make the cake dense.
- Add in most holiday sprinkles and fold.
- Pour batter into pan (Don’t let the batter sit out).
- Bake for 25 minutes, cover with foil, bake another 8-10 minutes.A tester inserted into the center should come out clean and center of cake springy to touch.
- Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Frosting:
- Let cool completely first.
- In a small bowl combine yogurt and protein powder. Mix until uniform.Taste to check sweetness; Add more sweetener if needed.
- Spread frosting over cake.Top with remaining holiday sprinkles.Cut into 10 slices
Notes
- Nutrition value is calculated using products recommended below.
- See post for alternate ingredients, tips and storage options.
- Flex Nutrition Vanilla Whey-Casein Protein Powder
- Quest Nutrition Multi-purpose Mix (Unflavored) Whey-Casein Protein Powder
- Lakanto Zero Calorie Monkfruit Sugar Substitute
- Use code HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount off your order
- Quest Nutrition Vanilla Whey-Casein Protein Powder
- Servings: 10 slices | Serving size: 1
- Calories: 115kcal
- Fat: 2.6g | Saturated fat: 1.6g
- Carbohydrates: 14.7g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4.8g
- Protein: 10.4g
[…] Protein Sugar Cookie Loaf […]
New favorite recipie..even my 5 year old and 2 year old loved it!
Thank you for having the best recipies ever!
Oh my gosh! You might have just made my day! I’m so happy you – and the kids – loved this recipe Hilary! Can’t wait to see what you try next!
This. Is. GENIUS!! One question: what size loaf pan? 9×5 or 5×4? Or a different size? I plan to add espresso powder to the frosting so it becomes a sugar cookie LATTE loaf! Just like the Starbucks drink! This looks too delicious. Your recipes never disappoint:)
Hi Shelby.. THANK YOU <3<3
I used an an 8"x4" loaf pan here.
That espresso powder idea is amazing!! I might borrow that for a recipe!
I can't wait to know what you think of this when you try!!