Description
These protein-packed cottage cheese brownies are the perfect balance of indulgence and nutrition! Made with cottage cheese for a creamy texture and extra protein, these brownies are moist, rich, and satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping you fueled. Whether you’re looking for a post-workout treat or a healthier dessert option, these brownies are a delicious choice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cottage cheese (preferably low-fat or fat-free)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup almond flour (or all-purpose flour for a non-gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup protein powder (chocolate or vanilla, based on preference)
- 1/4 cup sweetener (stevia, erythritol, or coconut sugar, based on preference)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (or use mashed banana for a different flavor)
- 1/4 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/4 cup chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (for extra richness)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Blend Cottage Cheese:
- In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese until smooth. This step is crucial to ensure the texture of the brownies is creamy and not lumpy.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the blended cottage cheese, eggs, applesauce, almond milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In another bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, almond flour, protein powder, baking powder, salt, and sweetener.
- Combine Wet and Dry:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until fully incorporated. The batter should be thick and fudgy.
- If using, fold in chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate.
- Bake the Brownies:
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). The brownies will firm up as they cool.
- Cool and Slice:
- Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice into 9 or 12 squares, depending on your desired serving size.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Enjoy your protein-packed brownies as a post-workout snack or a healthier dessert option!
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add 1/4 cup of peanut butter or almond butter to the batter before baking.
- You can swap out almond flour for oat flour or whole wheat flour, but the texture may change slightly.
- These brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- You can freeze these brownies for up to a month. Just let them cool completely, then wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in a zip-top bag.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 35mg