METRO SOURCE CALLS US THE "PROTEIN PRO"

Stephen Lincoln, actor-turned-fitness-instructor (he’s the national yoga director for David Barton Gyms) and owner of The Protein Bakery, was tired of empty-calorie pastries. “I’ve always had a sweet tooth, and I thought, there has to be a way to eat well and satisfy that craving, “ he recalls. “My goal was to make something that taste amazing and is healthier.“

That each treat is packed with extra protein is only one part of the bakery’s recipe for success. All the brownies, blondies, cookies and minis (and now Celebration Cakes) are handmade with natural ingredients: organic brown sugar, whole oats flour (for fiber, natch), butter (trans fat free!) And high-quality chocolate. One taste of these rich, sinful desserts will put you in a state of shock that anything this good can actually be good for you. My personal fave of their 32 flavors was the Black & White Blondie, but keep an eye out for the special fall seasonals: a Pumpkin Blondie and a Pumpkin Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie. 

The Protein Bakery, which is 100% gay-owned and operated, keeps its feet planted firmly on the ground in the community, most recently donating 5000 snacks to AIDS walk New York. While you can grab some of their wares at places like Equinox and Gold’s Gym, the bakery is currently a fully online retail company, and most orders placed through their website are shipped within 24 hours and a brick-and-mortar store in NYC's Chelsea. From individual cookie 2-packs to various gift assortments, it's a great whey to snack smarter.