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13 Summer Dessert Recipes: Healthy and High Protein

By Holly Darnell, RD

June 14, 2024

When you thinking about summer dessert ideas and you’re visiting us at Ancient Nutrition, you’re probably not also thinking about decadent, sugar-laden options. Instead, you want something that’s tasty, summery but also healthy.

We deliver below, including many high-protein summer desserts that can help support healthy weight management, in part because high-protein desserts can satisfy more than regular desserts.

In fact, research shows that people who eat moderate to high amounts of protein on a regular basis experience these general benefits:

• Healthy weight management, including helping to reduce hunger pangs and food cravings

• Increased thermogenesis (energy expenditure from digesting foods that supports a healthy metabolism)

• Normal muscle growth and repair

• Preservation of lean mass during weight loss

• Promoting healthy blood sugar levels (already in the normal range)

• Healthy energy levels and stamina

Each of these summer desserts are cold and will help cool you down as well, plus they’re relatively easy to make.

Each summer dessert also features one of our most popular protein powders, including:

• Multi Collagen Advanced Lean (cinnamon flavor)

• Multi Collagen Protein (different flavors)

• Multi Collagen Protein Beauty Within (guava passion fruit flavor)

• Bone Broth Protein (chocolate or vanilla flavor)

So let’s get started.

Multi Collagen Advanced Lean Summer Desserts

1. Horchata

Horchata is a rice-based drink from a Spanish tradition. Everywhere it’s been introduced, it’s become popular because it tastes delicious and perfectly marries several classic ingredients together: rice, almonds, sugar (we go with coconut sugar) and cinnamon.

Here we also add a secret cinnamon-flavored ingredient that increases this drink’s protein power and fat loss potential (Multi Collagen Protein Lean).

A collagen powder from 10 food-based sources, Multi Collagen Advanced Lean Powder (cinnamon flavor) is a healthy weight management* supplement designed to help you burn calories and boost your metabolism.

It features a proprietary fat loss blend that includes organic ashwagandha root extract and organic ceylon cinnamon. Select ingredients are backed by multiple clinical studies.

*In addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle, including regular exercise.

Macros: 29 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fat and 9 grams of protein per 182 calorie serving.

2. Chocolate churro smoothie

A fried dough treat from Spain and Portugal that is typically dipped into cinnamon and sugar, a churro is often dipped into melted chocolate for a complete experience. In this smoothie, the sweetness and flavor is matched by several healthy natural ingredients, along with our new superstar collagen powder (Multi Collagen Advanced Lean).

This one is often used as a full breakfast. Instead, you can go with a half-serving of this normally 461 calorie smoothie.

Macros (per half-serving): 31 grams of carbs, 8 grams of fat and 13 grams of protein per 230 calorie serving.

3. Banana, chocolate, coffee or vanilla protein shake

Tossing your protein powder into a shaker bottle with water does the job, but sometimes you want a protein shake that elevates the experience … to a dessert. There are four great protein shake recipes: vanilla, banana, coffee and chocolate.

All use Multi Collagen Advanced Lean and its cinnamon flavor (ceylon, the best cinnamon) to great effect.

Macros (for the banana protein shake): 38 grams of carbs, 10 grams of fat and 25 grams of protein per 270 calorie serving.

Multi Collagen Protein Summer Desserts

4. Chocolate ice cream

This nondairy, no-churn chocolate ice cream relies on coconut cream, maple sugar and Multi Collagen Protein Chocolate powder. Our taste testers went wild for this batch.

Chocolate is where it’s at in this recipe, as it includes unsweetened cocoa powder that’s loaded with antioxidants), cacao nibs that qualify as a superfood (high in antioxidants and minerals) and Multi Collagen Protein Chocolate (10 types of collagen from four sources, in a decadent chocolate flavor).

Macros: 21 grams of carbs, 23 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein in each 288 calorie serving.

5. Strawberry ice cream

Here we do an eggless strawberry ice cream that uses strawberries, coconut milk, maple syrup, almond butter and strawberry lemonade collagen powder. It’s off the hook tasty.

The good news is that it’s also a no-churn strawberry ice cream recipe, as all you need is a blender. And no ice cream maker needed either.

Macros: 24 grams of carbs, 20 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein in each 285 calorie serving.

6. Vanilla bean ice cream

This vanilla bean ice cream doesn’t use milk or cream, so it’s completely non-dairy. Instead, it relies on coconut cream and Multi Collagen Protein Vanilla, so we’re talking one of the best fats and proteins you can put into a recipe … and the results are delicious.

Meanwhile, the vanilla bean offers a strong, rich, complex flavor that most people appreciate, so it’s worth the purchase.

Macros: 13 grams of carbs, 17 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein per 207 calorie serving.

7. Pineapple ginger lassi

Have you ever tried a lassi drink? Popular in Indian cuisine, it's a yogurt-based fruit drink that is usually made with mango. Here's a delicious spin on the mango lassi.

Macros: 24 grams of carbs, 13 grams of fat and 13 grams of protein per 247 calorie serving.

Multi Collagen Protein Beauty Within Summer Desserts

8. Tropical ice cream

Tropical ice cream? Is there anything more better sounding for a summer dessert? It's also relatively easy to make, including without dairy.

The keys are coconut milk, lively tropical flavors and collagen. The flavors come from guava juice, passionfruit juice, orange juice, lime and pineapple pieces.

The collagen is one of our most popular: Multi Collagen Protein Beauty Within, featuring the sublime guava passionfruit flavor. It also serves to provide skin, gut and joint support.

Macros: 19 grams of carbs, 10 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein per 168 calorie serving.

9. Guava passion fruit popsicle

Low in calories, sweet but not too sweet and even healthy? That’s the case with these homemade popsicles, each using real fruit alongside Multi Collagen Protein Beauty Within powder. Along with its divine guava passion fruit flavor, it mixes easily and adds valuable collagen protein for skin, joint and gut health.

The guava passion fruit popsicle uses dragon fruit and guava juice. Dragon fruit? This tropical fruit is having a moment, and it can even be found frozen at shops like Walmart and Target. To get fresh, you have to go to a Whole Foods most likely.

Macros: 6 grams of carbs, 1 gram of fat, 5 grams of protein for each 53 calorie popsicle

10. Guava passion fruit bar

Mixing Multi Collagen Protein Beauty Within with lemon juice, coconut cream and maple syrup on top of an almond base, you create a fruity and refreshing snack or dessert.

With this surprisingly sweet recipe that only has 6 grams of sugar per serving, you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging your cravings. You’re even supporting your skin at the same time, thanks to the collagen and phytonutrients in MCP Beauty Within.

Macros: 15 grams of carbs, 23 grams of fat and 9 grams of protein per 291 calorie serving.

Bone Broth Protein Chocolate Summer Desserts

11. Chocolate chia seed pudding

With Bone Broth Protein Chocolate as the main ingredient next to the chia seeds, this chocolate chia seed pudding can be your modern fuel on the days you consume it, as the macronutrients are very impressive (including both protein and fiber content) and the nutrition is off the charts.

Thankfully, with some select natural sweeteners and spices, the flavor is also out of this world.

Macros: 29 grams of carbs (14 grams of fiber), 12 grams of fat and 27 grams of protein per 306 calorie serving.

12. Frozen chocolate-covered bananas

Cool off on a hot day with these homemade chocolate covered frozen bananas. With a popsicle stick, this frozen banana recipe is easy to enjoy while on the go.

The added Bone Broth Protein Chocolate will make you feel even more guilt-free about eating this naturally sweetened dessert with the extra protein you’re getting in every bite.

Macros: 26 grams of carbs, 14 grams of fat and 7 grams of protein per 236 calorie serving.

Bonus Summer Dessert

13. Protein ice cream (vanilla flavor)

Protein ice cream is all the rage today … but it’s either not very tasty or absurdly expensive. But did you know you can easily make your own? And that you don’t need need an ice cream maker so it can be a no-churn protein ice cream? And it can be tastier and healthier? And that it doesn’t require dairy?

Here are two ways to do it, with Bone Broth Protein Vanilla (or Plant Protein Vanilla).

Macros: 13 grams of carbs, 17 grams of fat and 9 grams of protein per 233 calorie serving.

Recipe developed by Holly Darnell, RD. Holly is a registered dietitian nutritionist who unlocked self-love at the intersection of exceptional food and practical solutions for healthy living. She’s passionate about helping others make simple, positive lifestyle changes on their individual path to healing.