Protein-Packed Italian Cookie Balls (Printable)

Soft cookie balls with protein, almond and oat flours, glazed and adorned with festive sprinkles.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 cup almond flour
02 - 1 cup oat flour
03 - 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
07 - 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
08 - 1 large egg
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
11 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Add-Ins

12 - 1/3 cup mini dark chocolate chips or chopped dried fruit (optional)

→ Glaze

13 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
14 - 1 to 2 tablespoons milk (dairy or plant-based)
15 - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - Festive nonpareils or sprinkles

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together almond flour, oat flour, protein powder, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
03 - In a separate bowl, blend melted coconut oil or butter, maple syrup or honey, egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest until smooth.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.
05 - Gently fold in mini chocolate chips or dried fruit, if using.
06 - Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip cooled cookie balls into glaze, top with sprinkles, and allow glaze to set before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Rich in protein to keep you feeling satisfied during holiday indulgences.
  • Soft, flavorful texture with a delicate glaze and festive sprinkles for seasonal cheer.
  • Simple, wholesome ingredients that cater to a vegetarian diet.
  • Quick and easy to prepare—ready in just over half an hour.
  • Perfectly portioned as bite-sized cookie balls for easy sharing and gifting.
02 -
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy clean-up.
  • For uniform cookie balls, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough.
  • Let the cookie balls cool completely before glazing to ensure the glaze adheres properly.
  • Adjust milk quantity in the glaze for desired consistency—thicker glaze requires less milk.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain softness for up to 5 days.
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