Description
Rich chocolate Protein Brownies bring healthy indulgence to dessert lovers seeking a guilt-free treat. Balanced ingredients create a delectable chocolate experience perfect for fitness enthusiasts and sweet-toothed individuals who want nutrition without compromise.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 g) natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
- ½ cup (50 g) protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)
- 1 cup (240 g) plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt)
- ½ cup (120 ml) maple syrup, honey, or sugar-free syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup (90 g) dark chocolate chips (optional, for extra richness)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparations: Position the oven rack centrally and warm to 350F (175C). Line a square baking pan with parchment paper, creating slight overhangs for effortless brownie extraction.
- Wet Ingredient Fusion: Whisk Greek yogurt, peanut butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency with a subtle sheen.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Gently fold cocoa powder, protein powder, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture. Avoid aggressive mixing to maintain a tender crumb. Optional chocolate chips can be scattered throughout the batter for enhanced decadence.
- Baking Process: Pour the velvety batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring for a set center and moist interior. Test doneness with a toothpick – it should emerge with minimal moist crumbs.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow brownies to cool completely within the pan, enabling texture to stabilize. Utilize parchment paper edges to lift and slice into precise squares. Preserve in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for 2 months.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients gently into wet mixture to maintain a light, tender brownie texture. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough, dense brownies.
- Ingredient Temperature Matters: Ensure eggs and Greek yogurt are at room temperature for smoother batter integration and more consistent baking results.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap protein powder types like whey, casein, or plant-based proteins, adjusting liquid content slightly to maintain ideal batter consistency.
- Perfect Moisture Control: Check brownies at 20 minutes with a toothpick test. Slight moisture in the center indicates a fudgy texture; complete dryness prevents them from becoming too dense or cakey.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 174
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg