5 Patriotic Protein Treats for the 4th of July
The nation’s 250th birthday is almost upon us, and this extra-special year gives us even more reasons to celebrate. Regardless of whether you’re having a backyard BBQ, going to a friend’s house, having family over, or if you just plan to enjoy a quiet celebration at home, we know that you will want to celebrate with patriotic-themed treats. Decorating your home and yard with red, white, and blue is fun, but making treats with our nation’s colors is a delight to both the eyes and the stomach.
To help you get in the mood, we have created five protein-filled desserts that are sure to excite your taste buds and your company. All are made with the Performance Inspired protein powder of your choosing, and all will make a festive addition to your table.
So check these out and make one or make all! Then let us know which is your favorite.
1. Patriotic Protein Crispy Rice Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop PI’s vanilla protein powder (your choice)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 cups mini marshmallows
- 6 cups of a crispy rice cereal (your choice)
- 1 cup of red and blue sprinkles
Directions:
Melt the butter over low heat in a large saucepan. When the butter is totally melted, add the marshmallows and stir until they are also melted.
Remove from heat and add the crispy rice cereal, the protein powder, and the sprinkles. Stir until the mixture is fully moist and all the pieces of crispy rice are coated.
Using a spatula, press the mixture into a 9×13 pan coated with butter or cooking spray. You may need to add some butter to the spatula so the mixture doesn’t stick to it. Let sit for 10-20 minutes or until it’s cool. Cut and enjoy!
2. American Flag Protein Brownie
Ingredients:
- Brownie box mix and all required ingredients
- Cool Whip
- Whipped cream topping
- 1 scoop PI’s chocolate protein powder (your choice)
- 1-2 cups blueberries
- 1-2 cups strawberries (sliced)
Directions:
Make the brownies per the box directions. Stir in the PI protein powder with the boxed ingredients. Bake and let cool.
When the brownies are completely cool, top with the Cool Whip and spread evenly, as you would spread frosting.
In the upper left corner, place the blueberries in a square. They will form the background for the stars of the American flag. Place as many as you need to fill the space.
Squirt small dollops of the whipped cream topping to create the stars. Since you will not have enough space to do all 50, you could do 13 in a circle for the original 13 colonies.
The American flag has seven red stripes and six white stripes. The red stripes (your strawberries) start at the top of the flag. Place a line of strawberries across the top and stopping at the blueberries on the left. Allow for some white space below to make the white stripe. Repeat as you go down the flag. Make sure the strawberries line up with the bottom of the blueberry square when you get to that area. The last line of strawberries should be at the bottom of the brownie dessert.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Cut and enjoy!
3. Protein Peanut Butter Cookies with Red and Blue M&Ms®
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop PI’s chocolate protein powder (your choice)
- 2 cups peanut butter or almond butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups of red and blue M&Ms
- 1/2 cup coconut
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir until well combined and dough is not too sticky. If it’s sticky, add a few more oats.
Form dough into balls and add to cookie sheet. Flatten slightly.
Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before serving; cookies will firm up. Enjoy!
4. U.S. Colors Protein Shake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk of your choice
- 1 scoop PI’s strawberries and cream protein powder
- 1 frozen banana
- 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
Directions:
Add all ingredients except the blueberries to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and top with blueberries. Enjoy!
5. Red, White, and Blue Protein Bundt Cake
Ingredients:
- Vanilla cake mix (your preferred brand) and its required ingredients
- 2 scoops PI’s vanilla protein powder (your choice)
- Blue food coloring
- Red food coloring
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for drizzle)
- 2-4 tablespoons of milk of your choice (for drizzle)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for drizzle)
- Blue and red sprinkles (for the top of the cake)
Directions:
Make the cake per the box directions and add the protein powder. Mix well. Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one white. Add the blue food coloring to one and the red food coloring to the other. Mix each until combined and the color is your desired shade.
Pour the mixtures one at a time into a bundt pan coated with cooking spray. The order doesn’t matter.
Bake per box directions. Let cool.
When the cake is completely cool, make the drizzle by mixing the vanilla, the milk, and the powdered sugar well. Start with two tablespoons of the milk so it’s not too runny. Add more to obtain your desired consistency. The drizzle should be thin enough to pour but thick enough that it will make a nice topping. Drizzle over the cake.
Before the drizzle hardens, add the red and blue sprinkles to the top. Enjoy!
