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Chocolate Protein Icing

Break out your Canned Pumpkin! And fish out those goggles, because it’s time to dive, head-first, into a pool of chocolate protein icing. Chocolate icing so healthy you can eat the entire bowl in one sitting.

Kind of like with the recipe for Whipped Cream in a Bowl.

protein icing

(See, you want to dive in, right?)

“Fudge You!” Chocolate Protein Icing

Makes 1 bowl, to be used as icing, pudding, fudge sauce, pancake sauce, face paint… Wha?? Maybe scratch that last one…

  • 1/8 cup (24g) chocolate protein powder (I used NutriBiotic)
  • a bit over 1/16th tsp salt
  • sweetener of choice, to taste
  • 2 tbsp canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree (about 30-35 grams)
  • 1/4 cup water, or other liquid (60 grams) Or more or less, depending on the thickening capabilities of the brand of protein powder you’re using
  • Optional spices and extracts if desired (I used 1/4 tsp cinnamon, to go with the pumpkin theme)
  • Also Optional cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, or melted chocolate, if you want it more chocolatey. And you can also always add fruit: banana, strawberries, raspberries…

Combine everything and mix very well. Eat cold. I don’t bother using a blender for this. A fork works fine. Dorm-room readers, rejoice!

znyc 1130

Other ideas: Swirl into oatmeal, top with granola, use as a cupcake-topper, use in place of hot fudge sauce on ice cream… As usual, the possibilities are endless! A word of caution: If you don’t like the protein powder you start with, you won’t like this icing/pudding. And it’s not meant to taste like the normal hot fudge sauce you buy at the store; I don’t really know how to describe the taste, but I love it!

Published on April 18, 2010

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178 Comments

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  1. Devyn says

    This sounds delicious! My favorite way to use my brown rice chocolate flavored protein powder is in my breakfast smoothie- unsweetened almond milk, frozen banana, and the powder.

  2. vegangal says

    katie please post the recipe for the brownies now!!!! i cant wait i mean i will if i have to but i dont want to they look so yummylicious! your a genius and so sweet too! xoxoxo

  3. Kate says

    You read my mind once again! I just bought protein powder and was looking for yummy things to do with it! Thanks CCV!

  4. Chocolate-Covered Katie says

    Anonymous and others,
    It’s so funny that you’d all mention her blog because I *just* started reading it yesterday!

    I stumbled across it a loooong time ago thanks to a comment she left on mine, and I made a mental note to add it to my reader, but then I completely forgot about it. Protein cookie dough, didya say?? Sounds like I’ve been missing out! I’ve got some catching up to do lol ;).

  5. Valerie says

    I wonder if the kiddos would warm to this. Goodness knows they’d love the idea of getting to eat a bowl of icing!

    We’ve been making your “whipped cream in a bowl” recipe now about every week! It really comes in handy as a vegan family.

  6. Jenny says

    I unintentionally created my own protein “icing” by adding too much liquid to April’s protein brownie batter.. it’s WONDERFUL!

    GIMME DAT BROWNIE RECIPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! please 🙂

    love you!

  7. eatandrun says

    Have you ever made protein ice cream? It’s my favorite thing to make. Just Vita-mix ice cream + protein powder :). Maybe you could add it to your chocolate-strawberry ice cream in place of the Amazing Grass?

  8. Kelly Michelle says

    omg, I swear we are sauce soulmates (remember the whole nut butter/banana thing) Just this past week I have been eating my natural flavored protein powder blended with carob/cocoa powder, almond milk and banana, quite the same idea no?

  9. Katie says

    Awesome! I hope that you post more protein powder recipes! I am ALWAYS open for new ideas. 🙂
    and..is there are a recipe for those protein batter brownies/pancakes?

  10. theprocessofhealing says

    Those brownies seriously look amazing!!!
    I have just gotten into the whole world of protein powders and I’ve tried April’s protein muffins and they are awesome!!! But I also like the just basic protein powder in a smoothie!

  11. Monica says

    So far, I’ve only put my vanilla protein powder into oatmeal…but I love it that way! With a banana it makes the oatmeal taste like banana oatmeal cookie dough! It’s awesome!

  12. Julia says

    Yummm, I’m dying to get that brownie recipe!!!

    Currently, I like taking 2 tbs protein powder and mixing it with 1/2 tbs dark cocoa powder, 1/8 tsp baking powder, 2 packets of stevia, and a little bit of instant coffee crystals. then, I add in 2 tbs eggwhites and 1 tbs pumpkin puree. All the contents then get mixed together and microwaved for 1 minutes, forming a protein cake 🙂

    That’s my favorite way (or should I say whey hehe) to ingest protein powder!

    Although, I do buy ready to drink shakes, too, which are wonderful for protein icecream. To make this delectable treat, I freeze 8 ounces of the shake in an ice tray, and simply refrigerate the remaining 3 ounces. Then, once the icecubes are solid, I add them, along with the refrigerated portion of my shake, to my magic bullet. In goes some guar and xanthum gum, along with a bit of vanilla extract and salt (salt allows the ice to melt and bind). Finally, I blend everything and devour!

    I love my protein 😀

  13. veggielady4life says

    I wish I HAD some canned pumpkin!!! It’s hard to find in my stores once Thanksgiving season is over. Do you stock up?

    Your pudding looks ‘elicious! :mrgreen:

  14. BroccoliHut says

    Mmm this sounds delicious! I am a fan of all things pudding-like (ahem, your Banana Bread in a Bowl).
    My favorite use of protein powder is probably in a good ol fashioned smoothie or stirred into oat bran.

  15. Heather Eats Almond Butter says

    Eagerly awaiting vegan ho-ho’s. I’d also like to put in a request for vegan Little Debbie oatmeal cream pies. 😉

  16. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says

    I think we’re on a psychic wavelength! Nooch, iron, protein…we’re both all over it 🙂 Ok so I did a major post about Vegan Protein a week or two ago and then just recently about my own issues w/ protein powders. Although I am ok with 1 scoop, more is not better for me. Can’t wait to hear bout your Nutribiotic info you alluded to. I do either Jay or Sun Warrior but I prefer the later. I have used Nutri in their plain and it was very…meh. Sounds/looks like the chocolate is good by the looks of your recipe. Anyway, can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

  17. Danielle says

    I love your creations and your fun approach to healthy eating. I don’t keep protein powder around regularly, but I’ve made shakes with chocolate soy ice cream and protein powder, peanut butter, and bananas. Have you tried hemp protein powder?

  18. HVL says

    There’s a soya protein powder that I get from Holland and Barrett’s in the UK (a health-food chain). It’s alright but does have a bit of a chalky aftertaste. I like mine blended into a super smoothie with soya/oat/almond milk, a big tablespoon of peanut butter, a couple of teaspoons of cocoa powder, and a frozen banana. YUM!

  19. adancingyogini says

    i used to like spirutein too, but i am sort of off soy for the moment. sometimes i just throw hemp into my smoothies and call it a day when i want more protein. i like that it makes them a little nutty.
    my boyfriend however uses whey (strawberry flavored ewww!) and i am trying to convince him to switch, so far not so good. but still trying! 😉

  20. Rebecca says

    I don’t have much experience using protein powder. I’m using BSN dessert right now but would love to win the NutriBiotic protein powder so I can switch to something with way less artificial ingredients.

  21. Jessica says

    I definitely put protein powder in my smoothies! The other day I added it to my oatmeal and I felt like I had a bowling ball in my belly….probably won’t be doing that again, haha. I’d love to try the chocolate rice protein though because I’ve never used flavored protein. 🙂

  22. Astrid says

    I have only used protein powder once, because I haven’t made up my mind to commit to a large tub of it, yet. I got one packet of Jay Robb’s and pixed it with peanut butter, for some “cookie dough”. It was pretty fantastic, actually! But I intend to use my protein powder in my oatmeal and smoothies.

  23. jamie says

    i add chocolate designer whey to my smoothies, oatmeal,overnight oats, breakfast cookies ….im not set on the taste, so id love to try something else!

  24. Olivia says

    Personally, I don’t generally use protein powder, but my husband is a marathon runner (in training to do ultra marathons! Eek!), and we’re constantly trying to get enough calories and protein into him. I’ve made frosting with the powder before, for fruits and cookies–he especially likes dried papaya slices dipped in chocolate protein frosting!

  25. Chantal says

    I use them in smoothies or in Avery’s No-Bake Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars (From Love Veggies and Yoga), they’re super yummy!

  26. Lori says

    I don’t have a favorite brand of protein powder as I barely use it. I tend to use what my husband has in the pantry. Sometimes I add some to my oatmeal after a long run. It tastes good and I am getting some extra protein.

  27. Rick says

    my favorite brand of protein powder is good old Ruth’s Organic Hemp Protein. I love hemp, it’s the healthiest plant in the world as far as i’m concerned, and it works very well in green smoothies! 😀

  28. haylee says

    My favorite brand is the Spirutein, I LOOOVE the Cherries Jubilee flavor and a frozen banana! It makes the best shake EVER!

  29. valerie says

    I love to use protein powders in my green monsters to make them stick with me longer! I don’t really have a favorite brand yet, I’m always trying something new!

  30. Kyle says

    Oddly enough, my favorite brand of protein powder is Nutribiotic! I tried it when I first went vegan and I remember thinking “this is EASY and DELICIOUS!”

  31. Radioactivegan says

    I don’t have a favorite protein powder … I don’t think I’ve ever had a vegan one, but I have been watching for one to try (that isn’t too crazy expensive). I’d love to give the rice one a whirl!

  32. Heather says

    i like vanilla spirutein to make breakfast cookies and protein cookie dough, however it is a bit sweet and i would like to try another other protein powder!

  33. Kristin says

    I don’t have a favourite. I’ve barely even tried protein powder so I would love a chance to try some in a variety of different ways.

  34. leangreendeane says

    Hah, i am so sorry that you could relate to my story. That sounds awful! And my fav is definitely Navita’s Naturals Hemp Protein… It is so creamy and thick when added to water alone!

  35. Kelsey says

    Oh my gosh, Katie. This is exactly the kind of contest I’ve been needing! lol. I’ve been looking for Nutribiotic ever since you suggested it to me but I haven’t been able to find it.

    Anyway, my current favorite protein powder is one I found at HEB the other day, Rainbow Light Protein Energizer. http://www.rainbowlight.com/Categories.aspx?Category=48658044-08a9-429a-b73b-72555b04e57b It’s completely natural, vegan, and the texture isn’t even that bad; my only beef (no pun intended) is that it only has 15g of protein per scoop and it turns everything green, lol.

    Right now my favorite way to use it is by sprinkling it on some popcorn with coconut oil, sea salt and cinnamon. It tastes sooo good!

    K, this book-of-a-comment is over now. 🙂

  36. Kristie says

    I haven’t tried that many protein powders before but my fav so far has been my grocery store’s brand of vanilla soy protein powder. I love it just mixed with pumpkin! Or in smoothies of course.

  37. Eileen says

    I put protein powder in your love muffins to replace some of the flour because my husband is pre-diabetic and it is a way to have a healthier profile for him.

  38. Maryann says

    I am just starting to explore all the protein powders and right now I use the vanilla soy protein powder by trader joes..not too bad, but im excited to try the chocolate kind by Amazing grass that I ordered online (supposed to arrive today!)

  39. Christin L. says

    I really love Jay Robb’s chocolate and vanilla whey proteins… delicious in smoothies or homemade granola bars!

  40. lunchiemunchies says

    I’ve never tried protein powder as being over here in England it’s not really available except for weird whey ones which I’m definitely not keen to try. I’d love to win- I’d try a yummy choco/banana shake I think!
    Emma xxx

  41. Mandiee says

    Peaceful planet is my favorite brand. I haven’t been able to find it anywhere other than my local gormet supermarket, but it’s amazing! The protein is high and it gets all of it’s added nutrients from foods like broccoli and kale. Yum!

    xox

  42. Katie says

    My favorite brand is Jay Robb, so far. I am trying different ones to see which are the best. Although, Nutribiotic is up there on my top list! I love to make protein cookie dough. I have yet to add nooch, but I hear that it gives it a nice cookie dough texture. 🙂

  43. Vegyogini says

    I don’t generally use protein powder, but I have some samples of Warrior Food from HealthForce Nutritionals that I’ve occasionally added to a smoothie. It’s good!

  44. cookeatburn says

    So I’ve only tried a few protein powders before, and when I tried Nutribiotic’s plain protein powder and liked it, I figured why spend money trying others that I probably won’t like? LOL. I’ve been wanting to try their chocolate flavor though (without paying – funny how that works right) so I am quite psyched about this giveaway!

    On a side note, you can order giant 3lb tubs of the stuff online. I may or may not have a tub of it in the kitchen that is too big to fit in the cupboards :-P.

  45. sarah says

    Iv only ever tried the vanilla bean Whey to Go protein powder( there is very limited protein powder choice in Scotland!).
    I used it to make Aprils brownie batter, it was yummy!

  46. Kady @ Livin, Lovin, Learnin says

    I just got protein powder for the first time, so I don’t have a favorite, but I love making protein hot chocolate and April’s protein cakes!

    I tried your icing, but my cheap protein powder didn’t thicken very well. It still tasted good though!

  47. Renée says

    I’ve only used Spirutein (peanut butter flavour which I did NOT care for) and the Biggest Loser brand protein powder. The only problem with that is that it’s not vegan, and although I’m not 100% dairy-free, it would still be a big step up to find a good, relatively low-calorie protein powder.

  48. tori says

    favorite protein powder is nutiva’s hemp protein. The reason we get school off is because it would be impossible to get there! The traffic and crowds of people. My school is one block from the start/finish line.

  49. jane says

    the only protein powder i ever tried was whey powder years ago before i was vegan, and only then as a part of a power bar my mom made. so im really interested to try a vegan protein powder!

  50. Kaye says

    I love Vega Chocolate which I use in Brendan’s Blueberry Chocolate Almond smoothie. I also like Amazing Grass …yes, Chocolate again. I usually only use these in smoothies but just recently Over at Love Veggies and Yoga blog, there is a coffee protein shake that I love!! It just uses Coffee, creamer, and protein with a bit of stevia! Yum Yum.

  51. veggie365 says

    I like the Amazing Grass chocolate powders – the Superkidz, Green Superfood & Amazing Meal – all of these are good! I would love to try the Rice Protein to compare! Thanks!!

  52. Amanda says

    My favorite way to use protein powder is in post-workout “milkshakes.” My fave combo is almond or soy milk + chocolate protein powder + banana + a little ice. YUM. Not very creative, but I like it.

  53. Amanda says

    Hmm I’ve been testing out protein powders for months trying to find “the one”. I’ve just decided that the Vega Natural Flavor powder is great for my green smoothies,d oesn’t affect flavor too much!

  54. Tiggy says

    my favourite kind of protein powder would have to be the vanilla ice cream flavour by whey gourmet i beleive.. though it has splenda in it, which i try to avoid.. so now i use a generic brand put out by london drugs that’s sweetened with stevia! it’s not as good as my favourite, but it’s not bad either! (it’s also about half the price!)

  55. Rachel says

    I don’t have a favorite brand but I like to blend protein powder with soy/almond milk, bananas, and berries. Yum!

  56. Sarah says

    I dont really have a specific favorite. Their pretty pricey so i generally buy the single pouches of whatever vegan ones i find. I like adding them into things like vegan muffins, cupcakes, cookies and other “treat” foods for that added health perk and protein punch!

  57. Megan @ Healthy Hoggin says

    My favorite brand of protein powder is far and away Sun Warrior! I love the texture, and the fact that it’s raw and vegan. I used to use Hemp protein, but it gave everything a grainy texture.

    Now I use Sun Warrior in my green smoothies almost every day!

  58. jam says

    i use nutrifirst whey protein…just cus its cheap! love theway it turns my oatmeal bright pink/yellow /orange…

  59. Julie says

    I love Bob’s Red Mill Hemp Protein powder – I add it to green smoothies and oatmeal. Some people don’t like hemp protein, but I love it!

  60. Karen says

    My favorite brand of protein powder is Designer Whey. I use it to make my own variation of Kristen Suzanne’s chocolate cherry bomb smoothie. I would love to win the NutriBiotic rice protein powder because my vegan sister will be staying with me this summer and I would love to make a version of the smoothie that she could enjoy!

  61. Sarah L. says

    My favourite use of protein powder is to bulk up my morning smoothie; it’s nice knowing I’m getting a significant percentage of my daily protein in with breakfast. Yum!

  62. Erica says

    I’ve been using unflavored hemp or Sun Warrior powders in my smoothies. Haven’t tried them in any batters or baked goods yet.

  63. Danielle says

    My new favorite way to use protein powder is in ice cream (frozen banana softserve style)! I’ve only been buying the little packets and have tried some hemp, soy, spirutein, and some other raw meal packets that I got as free samples! I’ve been too indecisive to make a real commitment for my occasional protein powder use!

  64. Brittany says

    My favorite brand of protein powder is chocolate sun warrior! I put a scoop of it in a green monster smoothie almost every day along with some spinach, banana, milled flaxseed, cinnamon, and almond milk.

  65. Jocey says

    My favorite way to use protein powder is in a smoothie after a tough weights work out (which i have been doing a lot of since i’m injured and can’t run) So far my favorite is the berry flavored Vega wholefood optimizer

  66. Ariel says

    That looks delicious! My favorite protein powder is chocolate PlantFusion, but I haven’t been able to find it since I moved to Chicago. It’s a blend of plant proteins including pea and artichoke– I know it sounds weird, but it tastes purely like chocolate and it has the smoothest, most velvety texture. I used to mix it with pumpkin, too. 🙂

  67. Heather says

    I use BioChem Whey in choc and vanilla flavors. I love to mix it with a little water and some nut butter and eat it like pudding! You can microwave it to if you want a ‘brownie’.

  68. Steph says

    I have never used protein powder because I can never find vegan types in my community. However, I think I would really enjoy it in smoothies 🙂

  69. Katherine: What About Summer? says

    I once tried a rice protein powder by some sketch company “rainbow” protein. It was great though!

  70. Hope says

    I made a mocha protein shake this morn… almond breeze, cold coffee, ice and a scoop of chocolate jay robb! It was trest delicious… next time I will probably add the gums so it emulsifies better though…

  71. ThePony says

    I don’t know what brand I use, but I like to stir vanilla protein into my cereal! It makes it taste super sweet like when I was a kid and added some sugar cubes!

  72. Jessica Zara says

    My favourite brand of protein is most definitely Sun Warrior Brown Rice Protein powder ~ chocolate flavour of course! And I love to use it in oatmeal/oat bran (goes particularly well with pumpkin oats), shakes (standard mix is several scoops of protein, 250-300ml rice milk and a frozen nana) or…well, just straight up mixed with water into a batter. Quite honestly, I’m so addicted to it that I just want to pour rice milk into the tub, mix and eat the lot. I’m strange, I know.

  73. Abbey says

    Hmmm…I am usually picking up Jay Robb’s chocolate or vanilla but I can easily become a Nutribiotic devotee 😉
    I like to mix it in my oatmeal, almond milk, or unflavored coconut milk to add an interesting consistency. Like you, I don’t really feel like I need extra protein but the flavor is really nice!
    Thanks for offering this!

  74. Kelly says

    I’m not sure I have a favorite way to eat protein powder! I don’t really buy it and I’ve only ever had it in smoothies. If I did have some, though, I’d totally make this pudding!

  75. Zuzanka says

    I like my protein to be as “whole” as possible, meaning no derivates, isolates and other frankenfoods..I prefer raw hemp protein powder and I usually add it to my oatmeal for some greenness..it pairs nicely with chocolate’s brownness :))

  76. Rachel says

    I love flavored protein powders in oatmeal and smoothies. I actually use them just for the flavors, not the extra protein 🙂

  77. amsterwill83 says

    I’ve only ever tried Jillian Michael’s vanilla protein powder, and so far I’ve put it in smoothies and oatmeal. I’d love to try other kinds though!

  78. Sara says

    I like jayrobb’s egg white protein powder and i usually add them into my smoothie’s or oatmeal breakfast cookies!

  79. Trail (Oven Aversion) says

    My fave protein powder is nutiva hemp powder. I just throw it in my morning smoothie, along with kale, banana, PB, almond milk, nooch, 1/2 an avocado, flax seeds, and extra dark cocoa powder. It sounds crazy, but it’s deeeeelicious and makes the happiest tummy each morning! 🙂

  80. Hannah says

    I’ve only tried the Jay Robb ones, and only as a protein smoothie. I can’t find any of these good ones you mention in Australia… I’d so love to make this protein icing!

  81. Sünne says

    There’s acutally just one brand and flavour (plain) of vegan protein powder in Germany so that’s what I’d use in oat bran. Boring, I know.

  82. Alexis says

    I love the nutribiotic vanilla – great in smoothies, pancakes, oat bran and basically anything you bake that you want to up the protein in!

  83. Kate says

    i really like aria women’s protein powder. it is a mix of soy and whey. smoothies or protein pancakes are my top uses for it.

  84. Bekah says

    I actually do this all the time with my protein powder! I usually either mix it with a little almond milk and pumpkin or butternut squash canned puree and heat it up a little bit.

    But my favorite way to use protein powder is definitely Heather’s protein pancakes or protein ice cream. Naturally!

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