Cottage Cheese Protein Brownies Recipe
Discover how to make fudgy Cottage Cheese Protein Brownies that pack extra protein without sacrificing taste. This easy-to-follow recipe blends cottage cheese with cocoa, eggs, and a touch of sweetness for a healthier twist on classic brownies. With tips, variations, and nutritional insights, these brownies are perfect for those who crave chocolate while keeping an eye on protein intake.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 12 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat based on preference)
- 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 flour (whole wheat pastry flour, all-purpose, or 1:1 gluten-free 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 nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- Pinch of espresso powder
- Protein powder (whey or other, reduce flour by same volume if added)
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the brownies from sticking.
- Blend the Cottage Cheese Base: Place 1 cup of cottage cheese into a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth to avoid lumps and achieve a creamy texture in the brownies.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk 2 large eggs until slightly frothy. Stir in the blended cottage cheese, 1/2 cup melted butter (or coconut oil), and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until uniform.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk these until evenly combined.
- Sweeten the Batter: Add 3/4 cup brown sugar to the dry ingredients and whisk to coat the flour and cocoa powder evenly.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient bowl. Stir gently just until the batter comes together with no visible streaks of flour. Avoid overmixing to keep the brownies fudgy.
- Add Optional Ingredients: Fold in any desired add-ins such as chocolate chips, nuts, espresso powder, or protein powder, adjusting flour quantity if using protein powder.
- Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes. Start checking at 20 minutes by inserting a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then lift them out using the parchment paper and place on a wire rack. Slice when the brownies are warm or at room temperature for cleaner cuts.
Notes
- Blend cottage cheese thoroughly to prevent curds and ensure a smooth brownie texture.
- Do not overbake to maintain fudginess; check with a toothpick for moist crumbs.
- Use fresh cocoa powder and baking powder for best flavor and rise.
- Cool brownies before cutting to avoid crumbling.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more sugar or chocolate chips as desired.
- For gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Optional substitutions: replace eggs with flax eggs for a vegan-ish version, but expect denser texture.
- Adding a pinch of espresso powder enhances chocolate flavor without overpowering.
Keywords: Cottage Cheese Brownies, Protein Brownies, Healthy Brownies, Fudgy Brownies, High Protein Dessert, Chocolate Brownies, Low Fat Brownies, Healthy Chocolate Treat