Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the brownies out later. Lightly grease the parchment paper if needed.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. If using eggs, crack them in and whisk until well combined. If making flax eggs, add your prepared flax egg mixture to the bowl now and whisk. Ensure everything is thoroughly blended.1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 large eggs
- To the wet ingredients, add the protein powder, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher brownies. The batter will be thick.1/2 cup protein powder, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips and chopped nuts (if using). Reserve a small handful of chocolate chips to sprinkle on top before baking for extra gooey pockets. Distribute the chips and nuts evenly throughout the batter.1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, 1/4 cup chopped nuts
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with the spatula. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top if desired. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached (not wet batter).1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Cut into 16 squares for perfect portion control.
Notes
To keep your Fudgy Chocolate Protein Brownies Healthy at their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, they can be refrigerated for up to a week; the texture might firm up slightly, but they'll still be delicious. If you prefer to freeze them for future cravings, wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or warm gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds if you prefer them warm and gooey.
