Here is a no-refined-sugar twist on your favorite fall dessert—with a sneaky protein boost in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji work great)
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (clean, unsweetened)
• 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce or mashed ripe banana
• 1 tbsp melted coconut oil or grass-fed butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Core and thinly slice apples, no need to peel them unless preferred.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, protein powder, melted oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Toss apples in this mixture until evenly coated.
• Spread the mixture into a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove foil, stir, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, until the apples are soft and golden.

Cottage Cheese Vanilla “Ice Cream” Ingredients:

• 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
• 1–2 tbsp maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener (to taste)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor until they are completely smooth and creamy.

Transfer the mixture to a container and freeze for 1–2 hours. For soft-serve texture, stir once halfway through freezing.

If it’s frozen solid, then let it sit at room temperature for five minutes before scooping it.