Muscle Nation Custard Protein Bar Cookies & Cream
Muscle Nation Custard Protein Bar Cookies & Cream: independently scored 8.9/10 on Protein Score and 5.7/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
16.1g protein per serve · 206 cal · 4.3g sugar · 110mg sodium · 60g serve.
Overview
The 'custard' in the name is the tell: this isn't your typical chewy, dense protein bar. It's a soft-baked cookie format designed around a dessert-like experience, from the white chocolate coating to the creamy centre. This positions it squarely as an indulgent snack that happens to carry a decent protein load, rather than a function-first recovery bar. On the numbers, it sits right on the category average for protein density, but with significantly less sugar than the typical protein bar we see. The trade-off for that low sugar number is a complex formula. With 50 ingredients, it relies heavily on a blend of fibres, sugar alcohols like maltitol (965) and erythritol (968), and multiple protein sources to achieve its taste and texture. Compared with Muscle Nation's Peanut Butter Cup - Choc Peanut bar, this Cookies & Cream version has 3.2g less protein and 3.1g more sugar per 100g. It highlights a split in the brand's range between leaner, higher-protein options and these more flavour-forward, dessert-style bars. Ultimately, this bar is for the person who wants their protein snack to feel like a real treat. It's a convenient way to get 16 grams of protein, but we think its main job is satisfying a 3pm craving for something sweet and substantial, not refuelling a heavy gym session.
Protein Score: 8.9/10
The 206 calories per bar is the price for a soft, dessert-style protein hit, which is a higher cost than leaner bars in the category. That calorie load delivers 16.1g of protein from a blend of milk, whey, and soy sources, earning a Protein Score/10. This places it comfortably above the average for the protein bar aisle. The protein-per-calorie metric is a respectable 7.8g per 100kcal. This is efficient enough to be considered a genuine protein snack, sitting well above the 2-5g of protein you'd find in a standard muesli bar. It's a solid contributor to daily protein targets. Stack this against a dedicated, high-performance bar and it falls short on pure protein density. However, viewed as a smarter swap for a supermarket chocolate bar or cookie, it holds its own. It offers a satisfying protein boost in a format that prioritises taste and texture.
Clean Score: 5.7/10
This is a heavily processed bar, built for texture and shelf-stability over ingredient simplicity. The 50-ingredient list and a dozen additives result in a Clean Score/10, which trails the category average significantly. It's a clear trade-off for the soft 'custard' filling and sweet coating. The formula uses a wide array of ingredients to achieve its dessert-like profile. This includes the artificial sweetener sucralose, natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit, and sugar alcohols such as maltitol (965), sorbitol, and erythritol (968). Thickeners and emulsifiers like carboxymethyl cellulose and soy lecithin (322) are also used to create the specific mouthfeel. The combination of multiple sweeteners and fibres is what keeps the sugar content down to just 4.3g per bar. For the shopper, it means accepting a highly engineered product to get a protein snack that tastes like a confectionery item. It sits at the far end of the processing spectrum from a simple, whole-food snack.
Wins
- Delivers 16.1g of protein in a single 60g bar.
- Contains 14.3g of fibre per 100g for satiety.
- Lower in sugar than the category average at 7.1g per 100g.
Watch outs
- A long list of 50 ingredients points to heavy processing.
- Contains multiple sugar alcohols including maltitol and sorbitol.
- Uses added sugar, unlike some other bars in the brand's range.
Ingredients
Muscle Nation Cookies & Cream Custard 26% (Cookies & Cream Custard Powder (Milk Protein Isolate (65%), Skim Milk Powder, Inulin, Coconut MCT Oil Powder, Cookies 4% (Wheat, Soy), Flavours, Anticaking Agent (551), Thickener (Carboxymethyl Cellulose), Sweetener (Sucralose), Sodium Chloride), Sweetener (Maltitol), Humectant (Glycerol), Isomalto-Oligosaccharide (Soluble Fibre)), No Added Sugar White Choc 20% (Vegetable Fat, Sweetener (968), Milk Solids 15%, Inulin, Corn Fibre, Emulsifier (Soy 322), Natural Flavour, Intense Sweetener (960), Monk Fruit Sweetener), Vanilla Paste 8% (Invert Sugar, Humectant (Sorbitol, Glycerol), Concentrated Pear Puree, Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), Sunflower Oil, Citrus Fibre, Natural Flavour, Gelling Agent (Pectin), Firming Agent (Calcium Lactate), Natural Colour (Titanium Dioxide)), Polydextrose, Humectant (Glycerol), Hydrolysed Collagen, Soy Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Crisps, Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Milk Protein Concentrate, Black Waffle Crunch 3% (Wheat, Soy), Cocoa Powder, Isomalto-Oligosaccharide (Soluble Fibre), Sweetener (Maltitol), Sunflower Oil, Soy Protein Crisps, Flavour, Salt, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Natural Flavour, Antioxidant (Vitamin E).
50 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Will the sugar alcohols in this bar cause stomach issues?
- This bar contains several sugar alcohols, including maltitol, sorbitol, and erythritol, which may cause digestive discomfort for some people. These ingredients are used to provide sweetness without the calories of sugar, but they can have a laxative effect, particularly when consumed in larger amounts. Individual sensitivity varies greatly, so what affects one person may not affect another. If you know you are sensitive to sugar alcohols, you might want to approach this bar with caution.
- Is this a good post-workout bar?
- It can work as a post-workout snack in a pinch, but it is not specifically designed for recovery. The 16.1g of protein is a solid amount that will contribute to muscle repair, which is helpful after exercise. However, its overall profile, with 206 calories and a focus on a dessert-like taste, makes it more of an all-round protein snack than a lean, function-first recovery product. We think it's better suited to bridging a meal gap or satisfying a sweet craving.
- Is this bar filling enough for a snack?
- Yes, for most people this bar should be quite filling. It contains 16.1g of protein and a high amount of fibre, both of which are known to contribute to satiety and help you feel fuller for longer. At 206 calories, it is a substantial snack that provides more staying power than a typical chocolate bar or pastry. It is a good option to curb afternoon hunger and keep you going until your next meal.
- Where can I buy the Muscle Nation Custard Protein Bar?
- This protein bar is catalogued at major Australian supermarkets, including Coles and Woolworths. You will typically find it in the health food aisle alongside other protein bars and snacks. Availability can vary by store location and stock levels. The product may also be available to purchase directly from the brand's website or other online supplement retailers. We recommend checking the retailers' websites for the most current stocking information.
- How does this bar compare to other Muscle Nation protein bars?
- This Cookies & Cream Custard bar is positioned as one of the more indulgent, dessert-style options in the Muscle Nation range. For example, compared to the brand's Peanut Butter Cup - Choc Peanut bar, this one has slightly less protein and more sugar per 100g. This reflects a deliberate trade-off between maximising protein and delivering a specific taste and texture. In our view, it's a good choice if you prioritise flavour, while other bars in their lineup are geared towards a leaner nutritional profile.