The Best High Protein Samoa Cookie Bars

These high protein Samoa cookie bars are delicious, buttery, and easy to make! 

It seems popular right now to consume a high protein diet and I’m all for it, especially when it’s in dessert form! These cookie bars are a high protein way to satisfy your sweet tooth. These gooey and creamy bars combine coconut and chocolate to make this a truly decadent treat. I love this version with dates because it’s a natural way to add sweetness without a ton of sugar. This recipe uses coconut flour making it a low carb option for people with dietary restrictions. You could easily make it vegan by using a plant based protein powder and flax eggs instead of egg whites. 

The best part about making these homemade bars is that it’s easy to whip up a batch in just 10 minutes of prep. This recipe is a budget friendly variation compared to the cookies sold by the girl scouts and they are healthier too. They can be easily stored in the fridge and popped in the microwave when you are craving something sweet. You could also double or triple the recipe and save some in the freezer for a quick snack on the go. Plus they have less added sugar than the cookie versions. 

So let’s make the Samoa cookie bars!

Here are a few ingredients you will need to make high protein samoa cookie bars:

• Vanilla whey protein powder:  Protein powder is the main ingredient in this recipe. It is the ingredient that adds all the protein to this recipe. I used Ascent brand vanilla whey protein. Whey protein is also low in calories and helps you feel fuller longer which is why it’s a powerhouse for building muscles.  

• Coconut: Coconut is used multiple times in this recipe. It’s used for the shortbread base in the form of coconut flour and shredded coconut is used as a topping. Coconut adds a unique, creamy and coconut taste to the bars and it’s one of the defining flavors in the girl scout version. It also has so many health benefits including its fiber content, antioxidants, and digestive support.  

• Grass Fed butter: Grass fed butter gives the shortbread a delicious butter base. This recipe only uses a little bit making it relatively low in calories. Grass fed butter has healthy fats which help to regulate hormones.  

• Dates: Dates are the primary source of sweetness in this recipe. I typically don’t like my dessert super sweet but if you do feel free to double the caramel recipe or add more monk fruit to the brownie batter. 

• Egg whites: Eggs are the main ingredient in this recipe. They are the binding ingredient and will keep all the other ingredients together. They are also one of the reasons this recipe is so high in protein. 

Recipe Tips:

• Use a bread pan lined with parchment paper. These bars don’t have a lot of oil in them so they will stick to the pan. I highly recommend generously greasing your pan with cooking spray, or using a high quality non-stick pan, a silicon pan, or lining your pan with parchment paper. 

• Simmer the dates in milk. This will make it easier to blend the dates in your food processor. If you want you could also soak the dates in hot water for 30 minutes before adding them to the food processor. If soak instead of simmer just make sure to use less milk.  

• Don’t over cook your bars. Baking with protein powder is challenging and over cooking it can cause the bars to become dry and rubbery. Make sure to check on the bars periodically to ensure they aren’t overcooking. 

Recipe variations:

• Use vegan butter instead of grass fed: this recipe can be made vegan by using vegan butter spread instead of grass fed butter. 

• Use flax eggs instead of egg whites: To make the shortbread vegan try using flax eggs instead of egg whites. This will make the crust heartier. 

• Incorporate your favorite chocolate: The options are endless for the variety of chocolate flavors you could add to these brownies. My personal favorite it Endangered species Hazelnut Toffee. 

If you love high protein dessert recipes be sure to check out my high protein pumpkin brownies and the best vanilla chia seed pudding recipe you’ll ever have. What’s your favorite dessert? Comment below and attempt to make a healthy version. 

• Author: Summer Montgomery
• Cook Time: 15 minutes 
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 10 bars 

Ingredients

Caramel

• 1/2 cup pitted medjool dates 
• 1/2 cup milk of choice
• ¼ cup vanilla whey protein powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅛ tsp salt

Shortbread

• 1/2 cup vanilla whey protein powder 
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• ½ cup egg whites
• 2 TBSP grass fed butter 
• 4 TBSP Monk Fruit Sweetener
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅛ tsp salt
• 3 TBSP Coconut Flakes
• ¼ cup chocolate chips 

Instructions

1. Prep the baking pan. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a bread pan with parchment paper or spray generously with cooking spray.  
2. Prep the caramel. Simmer the dates and milk in a saucepan for 10 minutes. Pulse milk, dates, and remaining ingredients in a blender until caramel forms. 
3. Whisk. Combine whey protein, coconut flour, butter,  monk fruit, egg whites, vanilla, and salt in a mixing bowl.
4. Assemble. Spoon the shortbread batter into a 5”x 7” bread pan. Layer the caramel on top of the shortbread batter. 
5. Bake. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with coconut flakes and melted chocolate. 
6. Serve. 

Store in the refrigerator