Introduction

Cottage Cheese Protein Brownies offer a delicious way to satisfy your chocolate cravings while boosting your protein intake. These brownies are fudgy, slightly tangy, and come together with simple ingredients you likely have on hand. Perfect for a healthier treat that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

The image shows two stacked chocolate brownies on a white marbled surface. The brownies have a soft, dense texture with a rich dark brown color and visible chocolate chips embedded inside and on top. The top brownie is placed diagonally on the bottom one, showing its moist interior and edges with a slightly cracked crust. The chocolate chips on top are glossy and slightly melted, adding a smooth texture contrast to the crumbly brownie surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat, based on preference)
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-processed)
3/4 cup flour (whole wheat pastry, all-purpose, or gluten-free blend)
3/4 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional add-ins: chocolate chips, nuts, espresso powder, or protein powder

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Place the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth, eliminating lumps for a better texture.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy. Add the blended cottage cheese, melted butter (or coconut oil), and vanilla extract. Mix until uniform.
Step 4: In another bowl, sift together cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine evenly.
Step 5: Add the brown sugar to the dry mixture and mix well to coat the flour and cocoa evenly.
Step 6: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the brownies fudgy.
Step 7: If desired, fold in optional add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts for extra flavor and texture.
Step 8: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 9: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Check at 20 minutes with a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.
Step 10: Let the brownies cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment paper and place on a wire rack. Slice when slightly warm or at room temperature for clean cuts.

Tips & Variations

Blend cottage cheese thoroughly to avoid lumps and curds in the brownies.
Try a peanut butter swirl by dropping dollops on top of the batter before baking.
Use a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe gluten-free.
For a vegan-ish version, swap eggs with flax eggs, but expect a denser texture.
Add a pinch of espresso powder to intensify the chocolate flavor without adding coffee taste.

Storage

Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or let come to room temperature before serving to preserve the fudgy texture.

How to Serve

The image shows two thick, rich chocolate brownies stacked on top of each other on a white marbled surface. The top brownie is full of glossy, melted chocolate chips embedded in and resting on a smooth, slightly cracked dark brown crust. The layers inside the brownies are dense, fudgy, and moist with shiny pockets of melted chocolate spread throughout. The edges of the brownies are slightly crumbly, and the overall texture looks soft and gooey. The lighting highlights the shiny chocolate chips and the dense texture of the brownies, making them look indulgent and fresh. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat cottage cheese instead of full-fat?

Yes, both low-fat and full-fat cottage cheese work well. Full-fat will give richer flavor, while low-fat reduces calories.

Do I have to blend the cottage cheese?

Blending the cottage cheese until smooth is important to avoid lumps and ensure a uniform brownie texture, but if you like a few curds, you can skip this step.