Cinnamon Swirl Protein Bread Recipe

I am always looking for new snack ideas and recipes to try. I am especially in need of quick snacks while I am sitting in class all day for grad school. I recently came across a recipe for Cinnamon Swirl Protein Bread. This recipe was found on bodybuilding.com and it was presented by Jamie Eason. After reading the ingredients, I realized I had the majority of them on hand. With a few slight modifications, I was able to make the protein bread without making a special trip to the store. And in the spirit of the season, I used a heart shaped baking pan and created a HEART SHAPED CINNAMON SWIRL PROTEIN BREAD for my special Valentine. (Actually, our 8x8 pan was in the dishwasher, and my special Valentine will be myself because my wife doesn't eat protein bread) This will be a great snack/dessert as each bar contains around 115 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, and 11 grams of protein! My recipe as well as the original from bodybuilding.com can be found below. FYI: this bread tastes awesome and both my kids love it!

Use 8x8 inch baking pan and cut into 8 squares.
1 square = 115 calories, 1.5 g fat, 11 g protein

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup Ideal (I used Stevia)
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups oat flour + 2 scoops vanilla whey protein (I used Protogen from bodybuilding.com)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup Ideal (Xylitol) or ¼ cup Stevia in the Raw (I used the stevia)
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (I used regular skim milk)
• 1/3 cup or 1 4oz jar of baby food applesauce and ¼ cup low sugar vanilla yogurt (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Spray an 8 X 8 inch Pyrex dish with non-stick spray.

In small bowl combine: (set aside)

• 1/3 cup Ideal (Xylitol)
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• In a large bowl combine: (whisk together)
• 1 1/2 cups oat flour + 2 scoops vanilla whey protein
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup Ideal (Xylitol) or ¼ cup Stevia in the Raw

In a medium bowl combine: (whisk together & add to lrg bowl)

• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (Almond Breeze)
• 1/3 cup or 1 4oz jar of baby food applesauce and ¼ cup low sugar vanilla yogurt (optional)
• Pour a shallow layer of batter into the loaf pan (about 1/4 of the batter).
• Sprinkle heavily with half of the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Repeat with remaining batter & cinnamon/sugar on top.
• Draw a knife through the batter to marble. Bake for 24 to 28 min. Let cool for 10 min. Bread will be dense.