Chocolate Protein Cookie Dough Hearts (Vegan Gluten-Free)
These Chocolate Protein Cookie Dough Hearts are moist, tender and so fudgy packed with plant-based, protein and are naturally gluten-free and grain-free. They are full of chocolate chunks and coated in more dark chocolate.
These are the perfect no-bake treat for loved ones this Valentines Day, but they are also delicious all year long. I have been having these practically every day since I first made them, as they are so moreish. They have a no-bake and grain-free cookie dough packed with chocolate chips which is then rolled out and cut into hearts. Freeze the hearts to firm up and then dip and coat in dark chocolate. I love to add some freeze-dried strawberries on top but these are optional. They really are so delicious, and I hope you will enjoy these, too.
Why will I love them?
These hearts are amazing:
- Rich, chocolatey and decadent
- Delicious edible choc chip cookie dough
- Made with real whole-food ingredients
- Naturally plant-based, egg-free and dairy-free
- Gluten-free and grain-free
- With nut-free options
- High in protein
- A source of healthy fats
- Made with just 5 ingredients
- Easy to make in a few steps
- Requires no baking
- No-bake and no-cook recipe
- Can be made into any shapes
- Delicious all year long
- Ideal for loved ones, friends and family
- Coated in dark chocolate
- Refined sugar free
- They melt in your mouth
- Last 1-2 weeks in the fridge and longer in the freezer
If you already love the sound of these hearts, then skip ahead to the recipe card below. Or, first let’s discuss the recipe in more detail.
What ingredients do I need?
For the ingredients with weights, see the recipe card and see the “shop the recipe” section for my favourite and recommended products.
For the cookie dough:
- Smooth runny almond butter: the smoother the better and you can also use cashew of peanut butter.
- Maple syrup: to sweeten the cookie dough. You can also use agave syrup.
- Almond flour: this keeps the cookie dough really moist and tender and it’s naturally gluten and grain-free.
- Vanilla protein powder: I love the Form Superblend or Performance vanilla protein powder as it’s made with great ingredients.
- Dark chocolate: use your favourite dairy-free chocolate here. I love HU kitchen, Conscious or the Raw chocolate company for refined sugar free options, made with minimal ingredients.
- Salt: to enhance the cookie dough.
And for the coating:
- Dark chocolate: as above.
- Coconut oil: this allows the chocolate to set more quickly and less firm so it’s less likely to crack.
- Freeze-dried berries: these are great on top for adding a pop of colour and berry flavour but you can leave these off.
Are these gluten-free and nut-free?
These are naturally gluten-free and to make them nut-free, swap the almond butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini and swap the almond flour for oat flour (make sure it’s GF where needed).
How do I make them?
These are ready to go in a few steps:
- Combine the almond butter and syrup: until smooth.
- Add in the almond flour, protein and salt: and stir to a thick cookie dough.
- Fold in the chopped chocolate: and bring to ball.
- Roll out on parchment paper: and cut out hearts.
- Re-roll as needed: to use all the cookie dough.
- Chill the hearts in the freezer on a tray: to firm up.
- Melt the chocolate and coconut oil: until glossy.
- Dip each heart in the chocolate: allowing the excess to drip off.
- Decorate with freeze-dried berries: and allow to set.
How long will they last?
These will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks, or in the freezer for 1 month.
What other recipes can I try?
For more no-bake snacks and desserts:
- Double Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake
- Salted Caramel Pistachio Raspberry Cups
- Chocolate Strawberry Mousse Tart
- Black Forest Coconut Bites
- No Bake Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Brownies
Chocolate Protein Cookie Dough Hearts (Vegan Gluten-free)
These Chocolate Protein Cookie Dough Hearts are moist, tender and so fudgy packed with plant-based, protein and are naturally gluten-free and grain-free. They are full of chocolate chunks and coated in more dark chocolate.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 240g smooth runny almond butter (or peanut butter)
- 120ml maple syrup
- 180g almond flour
- 60g vanilla protein powder
- 60g dark chocolate, chopped small
- A pinch of salt
For the Chocolate Coating:
- 220g dark chocolate, chopped small
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp freeze-dried berries
Instructions
- Into a large mixing bowl, add the almond butter and maple syrup and stir well.
- Pour in the almond flour, protein powder and a pinch of salt. Stir to a sticky cookie dough mixture.
- Fold in the dark chocolate and bring to a ball of dough.
- Place a piece of parchment down on a work surface and roll out the cookie dough to 1-cm thick. Use a heart shaped cutter to cut out cookie dough hearts and lift up with a spatula. Place on a parchment lined tray.
- Re-roll the cookie dough as needed to use it all up, you will make around 12 hearts.
- Transfer the cookie dough to the freezer for 2 hours to firm up.
- For the coating, add the chocolate and coconut oil to a heatproof bowl and warm in the microwave or over a pan of simmering water until melted.
- Remove the hearts from the freezer and take turns to dip each one in the chocolate, coating all the sides. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off and return to the trays.
- Sprinkle over some freeze-dried berries while the chocolate is still wet.
- The chocolate will set in a few minutes, or place in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Enjoy straight away or keep in the fridge in a sealed container for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 1 month. They can be eaten straight from the fridge or from the freezer.
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Stay in touch
I look forward to hearing what you think of these Chocolate Protein Cookie Dough Hearts so please do let me know in the comments below. If you do make these cupcakes, I’d love to see them so please tag me in your creations, I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest – please say hello!
With hearts of love x
p.s. this recipe was first made with Form Nutrition but all opinions are my own and this blog post is not sponsored.
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Whats the macros?
Hi there, I don’t provide macros for recipes and believe in eating in tune with your body. Feel free to work them out for you if you need! Enjoy the cookie dough!