Meet your new fall snack obsession: our Pumpkin Swirl Protein Bark made with Lifeway Kefir and Lifeway Farmer Cheese. This seasonal protein bark is creamy, crunchy, sweet, and salty, and frozen just enough to deliver an addictive snap that’s followed with a smooth, melty texture with each bite. With Lifeway in the kitchen, the possibilities are deliciously endless.
Lifeway Farmer Cheese + Lifeway Kefir = Nutrient-Rich Treats Your Gut Will Love
Our farmer cheese and kefir aren’t just creamy and versatile; they’re also packed with gut-friendly probiotics and bioavailable nutrients including calcium, protein, potassium, and vitamin D. In this Pumpkin Swirl Protein Bark, they’re combined with real pumpkin, vanilla, maple syrup, then blended and swirled into a frozen protein bark that’s topped with salty pretzel pieces, crunchy pumpkin seeds, and sweet, nutty pecans. Decadent enough to be considered dessert, but nutrient-rich enough to be suitable for a snack, this bark does it all until the very last piece is enjoyed.
Protein Benefits in Lifeway Kefir and Farmer Cheese
Our farmer cheese and kefir deliver high-quality dairy protein that’s easy to digest and lactose intolerant friendly thanks to the fermentation process used for both of these wholesome foods. Protein foods that are highly bioavailable like our farmer cheese and kefir are considered top-tier, since they support the body’s natural production of GLP-1, a peptide that signals satisfaction and halts hunger. Learn more how Lifeway supports metabolic health here. In addition, our products deliver protein that supports muscle recovery with a full range of complete amino acids in an easily digestible format.
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Want more recipes? We’ve got plenty of gut-friendly options here.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for better gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health.
Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, support the digestive system, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1. Lifeway Kefir also contains a variety of nutrients that are vital for healthy bones and overall health, including vitamins D3, K, and B12 along with calcium and potassium. Along with our kefir, we also offer our creamy, cultured Lifeway Farmer Cheese, a high protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support a healthy microbiome that’s easy to spread and contains no added salt or sugar.
Prep Time: 3 hours 20 mins Servings: 6-8Ingredients
Pumpkin Layer:
- 1 cup Farmer Cheese
- 1/4 cup Lowfat Pumpkin Spice Kefir
- *or sub our vanilla flavor and add more pumpkin spice powder
- 1/4 cup pure pumpkin purée (unsweetened)
- 2 tbsp. raw honey or pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 tsp. pumpkin spice powder
White Swirl Layer:
- 1/2 cup Farmer Cheese
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 tsp. raw honey or pure maple syrup
Toppings:
- 3 tbsp. raw pumpkin seeds
- 3 tbsp. raw, chopped pecan pieces
- 1/4 cup pretzels of choice, crushed
Directions
- Place a piece of parchment paper on a large baking sheet. Set aside.
Make the Pumpkin Layer:
For the pumpkin layer, place the Lifeway Farmer Cheese, Lifeway Pumpkin Spice Kefir, pumpkin purée, vanilla, maple or honey, and pumpkin spice into a food processor. Blend everything together until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.Make the White Swirl Layer:
For the white swirl, rinse out the food processor, then add the Lifeway Farmer Cheese, Lifeway Pumpkin Spice Kefir, vanilla, and honey or maple syrup. Blend everything together until very smooth, then transfer to a small bowl.- Pour the pumpkin mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Using an offset spatula, spread the mixture out into a rectangle that's about 1/2" thick.
- Place small dollops of the white layer over the top of the pumpkin layer. Tap the baking sheet against the table to flatten the white mounds a bit. Use a toothpick to create a swirl pattern by delicately dragging through the two flavors.
- Garnish the bark with pumpkin seeds, pecans, and crushed pretzel pieces. Place the pan into the freezer for 3 hours, or until frozen solid. Break the bark up into pieces and enjoy right away.
- Store leftovers in the freezer and enjoy within a week for the best taste and texture.
