Cottage Cheese Protein Brownies: High-Protein, Low-Guilt, All Chocolate Recipe
These Cottage Cheese Protein Brownies are a deliciously fudgy, high-protein treat that balances rich chocolate flavor with a healthier twist. Utilizing blended cottage cheese for moisture and protein, combined with cocoa powder, whole wheat or all-purpose flour, and natural sweeteners, these brownies offer a low-guilt indulgence perfect for snack time or dessert. They are easy to make, bake quickly, and deliver a satisfying texture without excessive calories or fat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 9-12 brownies (depending on slice size) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-processed)
- 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 blend)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
Optional Add-Ins
- Handful of chocolate chips
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Pinch of espresso powder
- 1 scoop protein powder (reduce flour by same amount if added)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the brownies.
- Blend the Cottage Cheese: Place the cottage cheese into a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth to avoid lumps in the batter and ensure a uniform texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy. Add the blended cottage cheese, melted butter (or coconut oil), and vanilla extract. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk the mixture to evenly distribute all dry ingredients.
- Add Sweetener to Dry Mix: Stir the brown sugar into the dry ingredients until coated, which helps prevent dry pockets and balances the sweetness throughout.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl. Stir gently and just until no visible streaks of flour remain. Avoid overmixing to keep brownies fudgy rather than cakey.
- Add Optional Ingredients: Fold in any optional add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, espresso powder, or protein powder if desired, adjusting flour accordingly if adding protein powder.
- Bake the Brownies: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Check doneness at 20 minutes by inserting a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs for perfect fudginess.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for 15 minutes to set the texture. Lift them out using the parchment paper onto a wire rack. Slice after they have cooled slightly or are at room temperature for clean cuts and best flavor.
Notes
- Blending cottage cheese is key to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth texture.
- Use parchment paper in the pan to make removal easier and prevent sticking.
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain a fudgy brownie rather than a cakey one.
- Check brownies early during baking to avoid overbaking and drying them out.
- Optional add-ins can enhance flavor and texture according to preference.
- For a vegan version, flax eggs can be attempted, but the texture may differ as the author is still experimenting with this.
- Using whole wheat pastry flour adds nuttiness and fiber; gluten-free alternatives work reasonably well.
- Adjust sweetness to taste by increasing brown sugar or adding chocolate chips.
Keywords: cottage cheese brownies, protein brownies, high-protein dessert, chocolate brownies, healthy brownies, low-fat brownies, fudgy brownies
