PowerBar
Cookies N Cream
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A tri‑source blend of whey, casein, and soy delivers 20 grams of complete protein in a soft, candy‑style bar with cookie bits and a thin chocolatey coating.
When to choose PowerBar Cookies N Cream
Best for pre‑ or post‑workout when you want quick energy and a substantial protein hit in a dessert‑leaning bar; less ideal if you avoid soy or prefer minimally processed, low‑sweetness options.
What's in the PowerBar bar?
PowerBar’s Cookies N Cream Protein Bar leans on a tri‑source blend—soy protein isolate, calcium caseinate, and whey protein isolate—to deliver 20 grams of protein, a near–top‑tier showing for the category. The classic flavor comes from a chocolatey coating (sugar, cocoa, palm‑kernel oil, whey, nonfat milk), rice‑flour cookie bits, and a touch of natural cream flavor.
Macros skew toward higher carbs and lower fat (27 grams carbs, 5 grams fat, 210 calories), so expect quick energy with a lighter, not nut‑butter‑dense, finish; sweetness is driven by cane invert syrup, fructose, and sugar, with maltitol syrup and chicory‑root–derived oligofructose keeping the bar soft.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 27 g
- Sugar
- 13 g
- Calories
- 210
Protein
2015HIGHProtein comes from a tri‑source blend: soy protein isolate for affordable, complete plant protein; calcium caseinate for slower‑digesting dairy; and whey protein isolate for fast, leucine‑rich support with minimal lactose. Together they cover amino acids well and help the bar hold a soft bite, though the combo won’t suit those avoiding milk or soy.
Fat
59LOWWith just 5 grams total, fat is modest and comes mainly from fractionated palm kernel oil in the coating (more saturated) and high‑oleic canola oil (mostly monounsaturated), plus small contributions from almonds and partially defatted peanut flour. That mix keeps structure without many calories, but the palm‑kernel fraction nudges saturated fat higher than if nuts or olive oil were the primary fat.
Carbs
2720HIGHMost of the 27 grams of carbs are refined—cane invert syrup, fructose, and sugar in the coating—plus quick‑digesting starches from rice flour/starch in the cookie bits. Oligofructose (a chicory‑root–derived fiber) and maltitol syrup (a sugar alcohol) add sweetness and softness while trimming how much plain sugar is needed, though both are highly processed and can bother sensitive stomachs. Net result: dessert‑like, quick energy rather than the slow burn you’d get from oats or other whole grains.
Sugar
134HIGHAt 13 grams, sugar is on the sweeter side for a protein bar, primarily from cane invert syrup, fructose, and sugar in the coating and cookie bits, plus a little lactose from dairy. Additional sweetness comes from maltitol, a reduced‑calorie sugar alcohol, which lowers labeled sugar without being a whole‑food sweetener. Expect a clear sweet taste and fairly quick energy; those sensitive to sugar alcohols may want to test their tolerance.
Calories
210210MIDAt 210 calories, it sits squarely mid‑range for protein bars. Most energy comes from protein and carbohydrates, with fat playing a small role; the use of maltitol (lower calorie per gram than sugar) helps keep total calories in check despite the candy‑style coating.
Vitamins & Minerals
No vitamins or minerals cross 10% of daily value here. Dairy proteins and the coating contribute a modest 8% DV calcium, and cocoa and cereal ingredients supply about 6% DV iron—useful, but not the bar’s main story.
Additives
This bar uses several functional add‑ins common to candy‑style protein bars: maltitol syrup (a reduced‑calorie sugar alcohol) and oligofructose (a refined chicory‑root fiber) for sweetness and softness, soy lecithin to keep the coating smooth, and fractionated palm kernel oil to set the chocolatey layer. They deliver texture and shelf life but are highly refined; sugar alcohols and chicory‑derived fibers can cause gas or bloating for some.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cow's milk casein
Cow's milk whey
Corn or wheat starch
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Oil palm fruit
Cacao tree seeds
Cow's milk whey byproduct
Cow's milk
Soybeans
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“PowerBar's Pure Protein Plus was my favorite protein bar until they vanished.”
“PowerBar Protein Plus. They're gluten free (I have celiac), but the macros alright, they're affordable, and they're ubiquitous.”
“I love the power bar vanilla protein bar but it is so hard to find unless I want to just order a whole box.”
Main Praise
Taste and texture top the praise list. Recent reviews—from endurance outlets to everyday buyers—call out a light, fluffy chew and flavors that read like the real thing rather than “protein‑powder in a coat.
” 220 Triathlon even singled out the thin coating and authentic flavor profile as an instant hit for recovery days. The macros back that up for training: 20 grams of protein with enough carbs to replenish, but not so many calories that it feels like a meal.
Value and reliability come up often too; with a 4. 5‑star average across nearly two thousand Amazon ratings, it’s the sort of bar people keep in gym bags and glove compartments because they know exactly what they’re getting.
And for athletes who dislike dense, nut‑heavy bars, the lighter mouthfeel is a welcome change.
Main Criticism
Sweetness is the main complaint. Multiple sources note it skews sugary in taste, and at 13 grams of sugar per bar, it’s sweeter than many “whole‑food” competitors.
The formula also uses highly processed ingredients—maltitol syrup and chicory‑derived oligofructose among them—which some readers say can cause digestive grumbling, especially if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or inulin‑type fibers.
Texture can be polarizing: older takes (like Runner’s World’s throwback review) found the coating a bit chemical and the chew taffy‑like; a few recent buyers still describe certain flavors as dry.
Finally, it won’t work for those avoiding dairy or soy.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land between “delicious recovery bar” and “too sweet and processed”? Closer to the middle, with a tilt toward the positive if you like dessert‑leaning snacks.
The tri‑source protein is a legitimate strength: whey for fast support, casein for a slower drip, and soy to round out the amino profile. That’s not marketing fluff; it’s a practical blend athletes have used for years.
On the flip side, the sweetness is not subtle, and the sugars plus sugar alcohols make it a poor match if your stomach bristles at maltitol. Reddit user unknown’s “They were never good” is… succinct, but it also clashes with the 4.
5‑star average and more recent endurance‑mag nods—suggesting either an older formula or plain preference (or a bad day).
USA Home Gym’s take threads the needle nicely: strong for training and recovery, less compelling for strict weight‑loss or those who want oats, nuts, and two teaspoons of monk fruit to do all the work.
In short, if you treat it like a sweet, functional protein snack—not a whole‑food bar—you’ll likely understand both the love and the side‑eye.
What's the bottom line?
PowerBar ProteinPlus Cookies N Cream is old‑school gym bar meets modern palate: 20 grams of protein, a soft chew, and a cookie‑coated flavor that scratches the dessert itch after a lift or a long ride. Its macros (27 grams carbs, 5 grams fat, 210 calories) line up well for pre‑ or post‑workout energy without feeling heavy. The trade‑offs are clear.
You’re getting processed sweeteners (including maltitol) and a sweeter profile that won’t suit everyone, plus dairy and soy that rule it out for some diets. If your priority is a clean‑label, minimally sweet bar, look elsewhere. But if you want a reliable, sweet‑leaning protein hit that’s easy on the jaw and proven in gym bags everywhere, this one earns its spot.
Quick take for the listicle: Sweet, soft, 20g protein tri‑blend. Great pre/post‑workout if you like a dessert‑style bar; skip it if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or avoiding dairy/soy.