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Protein Brownies

Snejana Andreeva - 1

By Snejana Andreeva

on Nov 30, 2024, Updated Mar 29, 2025

Add as a preferred source on Google - 2

When I started my health and fitness journey, one of my biggest struggles was meeting my daily protein goal. I began finding creative ways to incorporate protein powder into some of my favorite recipes, so I wouldn’t have to suffer through another piece of chicken breast 🙅‍♀️.

  • Why You’ll Love Protein Brownies
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🍌
  • Variations and Substitutions for Protein Brownies
  • Similar Recipes
  • Nutritional Highlights
  • Best Served With
  • Common Questions
  • Protein Brownies Recipe

If you’re looking to increase your protein intake without sacrificing treats, then this recipe is for 🫵! Whether you’re after a mid-day snack made with quality ingredients or need a pre/post-workout treat to help you get those gains 💪, these Protein Brownies are going to become your new obsession. In just 4 ingredients and about 5 minutes , you can whip up fudgy, decadent chocolate brownies that will have everyone requesting the recipe – even the gym bros!

A stack of six chocolate brownies is displayed on parchment paper. The background features a blurred view of a window with autumn foliage visible outside. The scene is warmly lit, creating a cozy atmosphere. - 3

Why You’ll Love Protein Brownies

These Protein Brownies are the perfect treat—healthy, free of added sugar , yet rich and satisfying. Keep in mind that these brownies are not as sweet as regular brownies, so don’t expect the same sugar rush you’re used to 🫨. The sweetness comes solely from the bananas 🍌, which makes these brownies a guilt-free delicious option, far from those overly “healthy” treats you dodge at a potluck. More importantly, the added protein is undetectable , so you don’t have to worry about a gritty or grainy texture. Trust me, unlike your ex, these Protein Brownies will have you weak in the knees for all the right reasons 😜.

How to Prepare

🌡️ Preheat oven to 350F (175C).

🍌 Add the peeled, ripe bananas to a mixing bowl and mash with a fork.

🥜 Add in the nut (or seed) butter and stir.

Two peeled bananas rest on a speckled ceramic plate. The plate is on a light-colored wooden surface, and in the background are windows showing a warm, blurred orange glow. - 4

🍫 Then add in the unsweetened cacao and protein powder and stir together.

A bowl of oatmeal topped with a heap of cocoa powder. A hand holds a scoop of cocoa powder above the bowl, ready to add more. The background features a window with a warm, sunlit view. - 5

🤎 Pour batter into a parchment paper -lined 8×8 baking dish . (Optionally, top with chocolate chips before baking).

😋 Bake for 15-20 minutes, cool, slice and enjoy!

A bowl of thick, creamy chocolate pudding sits on a white wooden table. The smooth surface of the pudding glistens under natural light. A window with a warm glow is in the background. - 6

Nonna’s Tip 🍌

If your bananas are super ripe , I find that this recipe doesn’t need any added sweetener at all!

Variations and Substitutions for Protein Brownies

  1. Experiment with a different 🥜 nut or seed butter s like almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
  2. For a sweeter brownie, you could add sweeteners such as 🍯 honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup.
  3. Change up the flavor of your Protein Brownies with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a pinch of 🧂 salt.
  4. Have fun with some toppings : chocolate chips (white or dark), 🥥 coconut flakes, or even chopped candy canes for a holiday treat.
  5. For a soft and gooey consistency, feel free to under-bake it a bit!

Similar Recipes

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Healthy Banana Brownies

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A savory slice of high protein breakfast casserole featuring fluffy cooked eggs and seasoned ground sausage, garnished with chopped fresh herbs, on a wooden board against a light background. - 13 A savory slice of high protein breakfast casserole featuring fluffy cooked eggs and seasoned ground sausage, garnished with chopped fresh herbs, on a wooden board against a light background. - 14

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Fudgesicle Recipe

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Nutritional Highlights

These Protein Brownies seriously feel like an ooey, gooey indulgent brownie, but they’re sooooo not. Each brownie has 7 grams of protein thanks to the protein powder and nut butter, PLUS, there’s absolutely no refined sugar: just super ripe and sweet bananas and optionally maple syrup if you need a little more. These are also only 137 calories per square (which are pretty generously-sized IMO!), and are gluten- and dairy-free.

This is the perfect little bite when you need a pick-me-up in the afternoon but do not want to lose sight of your goals for the day. Satisfying, guilt-free, and really delicious!

Best Served With

  • Serve by Protein Brownies for dessert with a scoop of vanilla 🍨 ice cream or my delicious Cottage Cheese Ice Cream .
  • A dollop of whipped cream.
  • Some fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, or 🫐 blueberries.
  • A glass of 🥛 milk.

Common Questions

Not at all! If you’d like to add a little sweetness you can add it in (or honey or agave syrup instead), otherwise totally omit it.

Yes, you can use frozen bananas. Just make sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before mashing them.

Yes, you can use something smaller for thicker brownies, but you may have to extend the cooking time.

Insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies and then if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they are done. If it comes out with wet batter, they need more time.

You can grease the pan with butter or cooking spray, but parchment paper helps to prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.

A New Recipe Card!!

  1. Check off each step in instructions!
  2. Add ingredients to your shopping list!

Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Mixing Bowls
  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ 8 x 8 Baking Dish
  • ▢ Parchment Paper

Ingredients

  • ▢ 2 bananas , very ripe
  • ▢ ½ cup organic peanut butter , or any nut or seed butter
  • ▢ ⅛ cup cacao powder
  • ▢ 1 scoop protein powder , chocolate or chocolate/peanut butter
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons maple syrup , optional

Instructions

  • ▢ Preheat oven to 350F (175C).
  • ▢ Add the peeled, ripe bananas to a mixing bowl and mash with a fork.
  • ▢ Add in the nut (or seed) butter and stir. Add in the unsweetened cacao and protein powder and stir together.
  • ▢ Pour batter into a parchment paper-lined 8×8 baking dish. (Optionally, top with chocolate chips before baking).
  • ▢ Bake for 15-20 minutes.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Protein Brownies

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • 8 x 8 Baking Dish
  • Parchment Paper

Ingredients

  • 2 bananas very ripe
  • ½ cup organic peanut butter or any nut or seed butter
  • ⅛ cup cacao powder
  • 1 scoop protein powder chocolate or chocolate/peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F (175C).
  • Add the peeled, ripe bananas to a mixing bowl and mash with a fork.
  • Add in the nut (or seed) butter and stir. Add in the unsweetened cacao and protein powder and stir together.
  • Pour batter into a parchment paper-lined 8x8 baking dish. (Optionally, top with chocolate chips before baking).
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Video

Nutrition

Protein Brownies https://themodernnonna.com/protein-brownies/ November 30, 2024

Home › Recipes › Cookies & Snacks

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

Snejana Andreeva - 19

By Snejana Andreeva

on Dec 15, 2022, Updated Nov 08, 2023

Add as a preferred source on Google - 20

My lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies melt in your mouth . This recipe is one of those recipes that you’ll need to triple, because it’s THAT good. 🍋Whether you’re a lemon lover or simply looking for a unique and delicious cookie, these Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies are a must-try. They’re perfect for any occasion, from a casual afternoon tea to a fancy dessert spread.

  • Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🍋
  • Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions
  • Other Holiday Recipes
  • More Holiday Cookies
  • Common Questions
  • Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

These lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies are ideal for anyone who cannot tolerate 🥚 eggs as they are completely egg-free . The dough takes 5 minutes to whip up, so these cookies are easy enough for anyone who is not even a baker. They’re only 5 ingredients , which you probably already have on hand. I can honestly say that this is one of those cookie recipes that you cannot get enough of.

How to Prepare

🥣 Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer and bowl to cream butter and cream cheese for about 2 minutes until smooth.

🍋 Add sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth . Then add flour, and mix until a sticky dough forms. Scrape down the sides to fully incorporate any remaining flour.

🧊 Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.

🥄 Remove dough from the refrigerator, use a small ice-cream scooper to portion the cookies, rolling each in a touch of flour to prevent sticking.

🍓 Place rolled cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper . Flatten each with your thumb, creating an indent, and add a teaspoon of preferred jam/preserve to the center.

🔥 Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are light and golden brown .

❄️ Allow the cookies to cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.

Nonna’s Tip 🍋

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies - 21

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions

  • Try adding a decorative topping like chopped nuts or a sprinkle of coarse sugar for holiday decoration.
  • I have not tried this recipe with gluten-free flour , but feel free to experiment with a gluten-free 1-1 replacement and let me know how it goes!
  • Instead of lemon extract , you could try almond, vanilla, orange or another you have on hand.
  • Feel free to experiment with different jams or preserves , for example, you could use strawberry, raspberry, apricot or even marmalade.
  • You could try dairy-free or vegan alternatives to the butter and cream cheese if you or your guests have allergies.

Other Holiday Recipes

A round platter forms an Antipasti Christmas Wreath, with skewers of mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, prosciutto, and rosemary arranged in a circle; raspberries fill the center and two gold forks rest on the side. - 22 A round platter forms an Antipasti Christmas Wreath, with skewers of mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, prosciutto, and rosemary arranged in a circle; raspberries fill the center and two gold forks rest on the side. - 23

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Holiday Butter Board

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Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco

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Holiday Cheese Board

20 mins

More Holiday Cookies

Looking for an even fancier-looking cookie? Try my puff pastry cookies .

A plate of Easy Gingerbread Cookies shaped like people, adorned with white icing details, red and green candy buttons, cinnamon sticks, and colorful candies, set on a white surface with a red ribbon and white cloth. - 30 A plate of Easy Gingerbread Cookies shaped like people, adorned with white icing details, red and green candy buttons, cinnamon sticks, and colorful candies, set on a white surface with a red ribbon and white cloth. - 31

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

3 hrs 23 mins

A stack of three powdered almond cookies on a wooden surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft interior. Whole almonds are scattered around, with more cookies blurred in the background. - 32 A stack of three powdered almond cookies on a wooden surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft interior. Whole almonds are scattered around, with more cookies blurred in the background. - 33

Italian Amaretti Cookies

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Shortbread Butter Cookies

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Common Questions

Feel free to use any jam or preserve you enjoy. I love fig or apricot but you are more than welcome to use any you have on hand.

The lemon extract is optional so don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand. You can also use pure vanilla extract, or almond extract, or leave them plain. Or, if you don’t have pure lemon extract, but still want the flavor, you can also use the zest of a lemon in the recipe.

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Feel free to freeze the cookie dough tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and shape as usual.

The cream cheese and butter must be softened in order for the cookies to bake correctly.

You can use salted or unsalted butter. I have made them with both and both results are delicious.

While 1 cup of flour weighs 160g in my kitchen, it might weigh anywhere from 120 to 180g in your kitchen and there’s a few reasons for that. The weight of ingredients may vary due to the brand of ingredients, the brand and style (wet vs dry) of measuring cups and spoons, and the technique for measuring into cups: scooping and leveling versus spooning the ingredients into the cup measure. For best results, go by the weight listed in the recipe.

A New Recipe Card!!

  1. Check off each step in instructions!
  2. Add ingredients to your shopping list!

Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ Mixing Bowls
  • ▢ Baking Sheet
  • ▢ Parchment Paper

Ingredients

  • ▢ ½ cup cream cheese , softened
  • ▢ ½ cup white sugar
  • ▢ 1 stick softened salted butter
  • ▢ 1.5 teaspoons lemon extract , optional if you don’t have any on hand
  • ▢ 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour , + 2 extra tablespoons for rolling the balls
  • ▢ 18 teaspoons jam , I used fig preserve

Instructions

  • ▢ In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese together for about 2 minutes or until smooth. You can also use a hand-held mixer and a bowl as well.
  • ▢ Once creamy, add the sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth. Add in the flour and mix until a sticky dough forms. If there’s any flour on the sides, you can scrape it down and mix again until fully incorporated.
  • ▢ Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour. After an hour, take out the dough, remove the plastic and use a small ice-cream scooper to scoop out the cookies. I scoop each cookie, roll it in a touch of flour as it will stick to your hands if you don’t.
  • ▢ Repeat this step for all 18 cookies. Place each rolled cookie onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press each one down with your thumb to make an indent. Add a teaspoon of any jam/preserve you like to the middle.
  • ▢ Preheat the oven to 350F and bake until the edges are light and golden brown. This should take 13-15 minutes depending on the oven.
  • ▢ Let them cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. These are perfectly stored at room-temp for up to a week.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.