Don’t you love a good sweet treat that’s no bake, 100% natural and has no added sugars? Me too! In fact, when I discovered that cashews and coconut cream transform into the silkiest, smoothest ice cream like dessert, I was shocked! I couldn’t wait to share this recipe with you.

The chocolate filling is called ‘nice cream’ rather than ice cream, just to differentiate the two. Nice cream is a super easy, take on traditional ice cream, yet made very differently. You don’t need one of those special ice cream churning machines, you simply use cashews and coconut cream as the base, add some protein and flavourings – that’s it!

It tastes like ice-cream and it is so damn good! This is definitely one for the recipe bible. You will be in awe of the creamy, chocolatey deliciousness before your spoon even begins to melt into one of these babies. Chocolate and cherries go together like peas in a pod. A match made in heaven.

As well as being super healthy and so yummy, this recipe has added protein, the idea being to improve the macro balance (protein, carbohydrate, healthy fats). This is not about calorie counting: It’s about paying attention to key nutrients and taking in the daily recommended portion your body needs to maintain your energy levels and overall wellbeing.

There are reasons why proteins are important in a healthy balanced diet such as:

Speeding recovery after exercise and/or injury
Reducing muscle loss
Building lean muscle
Helping maintain a healthy weight
Curbing hunger

A well-balanced diet with proper ratios of macro nutrients (protein, healthy carbs and fats) provides all of the: energy you need to keep active throughout the day. nutrients you need for growth and repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy and help to prevent diet-related illness.

When you find your optimal balance and amounts of macro nutrients, you take a major step toward reaching your health goals and this balance has been improved in this recipe by the addition of healthy protein.

This recipe produces a nicer, healthier form of ice cream – simple. With over 10 grams of protein and only 100 calories per serving, this snack or dessert isn’t just delicious, it’s also nutritious and refreshing.

Satisfy your sweet tooth by whipping up a batch of these Chocolate Cream Cherry Protein Cups! All you have to do is throw all of the ingredients into the food processor and you have got yourself a protein-packed dessert in under 20 minutes!

I love that this easy protein-rich cups recipe is a fun, nutrient-dense snack or dessert. Freezer-friendly and great for meal prep, and tastes just like a classic chocolate mousse – but it’s healthy. It’s an awesome hand-held, perfectly portioned dessert if you are after something protein-rich and truly delicious.

Chocolate Cherry Cream Protein Cups

Delicious chocolate cherry cream protein cups made with only good stuff and a punch of protein! These delightful little cups are creamy and so easy to make.  Crunchy and chewy on the bottom, with the smooth creamy chocolate cream filling and cherries on the top.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword cherry chocolate protein bites, chocolate cherry cream protein cups, chocolate cherry protein bites, chocolate cherry protein snacks, clean eating dessert or snack

Servings 8

Ingredients

Base Crust

• 1 1/2 cups almonds, pecans or walnuts or a mix
• 1/2 cup dates, soaked at least 30 minutes and drained
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut

Chocolate Filling

• 1 cup cashews, soaked 3+hours and drained
• 1 13.5 oz can coconut cream, full fat (solid part only) *see note below
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

• 1/2 cup cherries, fresh, pitted, chopped

Instructions

Base Crust

• Note: Place the can of coconut cream or milk in the fridge or freezer for at least 1-2 hours before making these bars to allow coconut cream to separate.

  Use a 8-cavity bar or snack mold or use a muffin pan lined with paper liners or a silicon muffin pan. Or simply use a 7 x 5-inch loaf pan lined with parchment paper and cut into squares or slices.

  Place all base crust ingredients into a food processer and process until broken down and crumbly.

  Be careful not to over process as its nice to have texture variance and different sized “bits” in your base crust.

  Press the base mixture into the bottom of your molds or muffin pan. Refrigerate while you prepare the filling.

Chocolate Filling

• Open chilled can and scoop out the cream that has separated and set hard on the top. Save the remaining coconut water to use in a smoothie, drink, or discard.

  Place all filling ingredients, cashews, coconut cream, coconut oil, honey, protein powder, cocoa and vanilla extract into the food processor and process until smooth and creamy.

  Depending on the power of your blender this might take a few minutes. Stop blending to scrape the sides and continue to blend until very smooth.

  Divide mix among the cups, scooping the filling over the chilled crusts and spreading evenly with the back of a spoon.

  Top with chopped cherry pieces and gently push down into the filling.

  Store up to 1 week in fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. If frozen let thaw for 5-10 minutes to improve the texture.  

Print Recipe

If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites