Recipe Fudgy Brownies Loaded with Protein 

by Noor H. Salem, Certified Holistic Health Coach

Almost everyone loves brownies, and it’s easy to say that avoiding desserts was one of the top struggles many of my clients experienced. When you hear brownies, you might automatically link them to a sugar-loaded treat that will leave you in the duty of a big workout. Nonetheless, it’s crucial for you to recognize that eating healthy does not entail depriving yourself of your favorite foods, munching celery for all of your meals, and eating very little calories.

I constantly remind clients and attendees of my workshops or lectures that a strict diet plan which leaves you feeling hungry, deprived, and even moody will not bring you the long-term results you are aspiring to reach. Instead of obsessing over every calorie, you consume, even those from vegetables or nuts, preoccupy yourself with the number of chemicals inside your processed food. The more you stay away from chemicals, the less you would need to worry about calories. 

Consuming a diet consisting overall of whole foods, such as healthy fats, proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and whole-grain carbohydrates will leave your body satisfied. Your blood sugar won’t spike, and with all the vitamins you are intaking, you won’t experience as many cravings between meals. Enjoying raw walnuts for a snack will grant you satiety, nutrients, minerals, and protein, while a 100-calorie snack pack of cookies will leave you with a blood sugar spike, further cravings, and a myriad of multi-syllable chemicals you can’t pronounce. So, while it might sound odd to reach for a brownie while hitting the gym that day, or attempting to eat a healthy diet, there is always room for dessert- especially homemade healthy dessert.

Try my protein brownie recipe below, and don’t let the thought of beans scare you away from making them! The beans replace the flour in the recipe and provide the starch the brownies need to have a great fudgy texture. Topping them with either almond butter or peanut butter adds the perfect complimentary flavor punch. The raw walnuts boost the healthy fat and omega-3 levels of the brownies. 

Instead of munching on packaged protein bars loaded with soy, hydrogenated oils, and artificial sweeteners, enjoy these brownies during your workout days. They are low in sugar, and free of dairy as well as gluten. Aside from the satisfying taste, you will fairly enjoy the quick process of making these brownies.  

Ingredients:

Fudgy brownie:

• 1 organic pasture-raised egg
• 2 organic pasture-raised egg yolks
• 1 ½ cups black beans (pre-soaked overnight)
• 1/3 cup organic unsweetened apple sauce
• 2 tablespoons organic almond butter or peanut butter 
• 1 tablespoon organic butter, melted 
• ½ cup raw cocoa powder 
• ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (alcohol-free)
• ¼ cup fresh dates (pit removed)
• 1 teaspoon black seeds, ground 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (aluminum-free)

Nut Swirl Topping:

• 5 tablespoons organic crunchy peanut butter or almond butter 
• 1 tablespoon organic coconut palm sugar
• 1 tablespoon organic maple syrup 
• Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Topping:

• ½ cup raw walnuts, chopped 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Place all the brownie ingredients in your food processor. Pulse for about 2-3 minutes, or until the texture becomes very smooth. If you don’t pulse enough, it will be gritty. 

3. Transfer batter to a greased 9 by 9 baking pan.

4. In a small mixing bowl, mix the nut butter topping ingredients until well incorporated. Swirl on top of the brownie batter, using a toothpick or the tip of a knife.

5. Top the brownies with the walnuts evenly. 

6. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes. Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts. Enjoy! 

Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, SUNNAH SUPERFOODS, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other language.