Calling all cosmic brownie lovers! Here is a nutritious twist on our favorite childhood treat! These healthy cosmic protein brownies are made with wholesome ingredients, but still rich, fudgy, and way more flavorful.
Did you love cosmic brownies as a child? I sure did! So I had to come up with something similar that I felt good about giving to my children —and to myself, of course.
After a couple of tries, I am delighted with these healthy cosmic protein brownies. They're made with oat flour, chocolate whey protein powder, eggs, olive oil, and sweetened with maple syrup.
I decided not to use the traditional rainbow candy topping because of all the weird ingredients. Instead, I topped them with a chocolate yogurt ganache, mini dark chocolate chips, and naturally dyed sprinkles.
I am currently obsessed with these brownies! We are talking breakfast, snack, and dessert. Anytime is a good time for one of these brownies!
You will also be thrilled to hear that they are easy to make and everything is mixed by hand. Now, let's talk about the ingredients.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
For the brownies
- Oat Flour– Oat flour is sold in stores, but it’s also super easy to make at home if you have a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix. Simply blend old-fashioned oats in the blender until the oats become a fine powder (about 30 seconds to a minute). Store your oat flour in an air-tight container for up to three months.
- Chocolate Whey Protein Powder- I used this grass-fed chocolate whey protein. Feel free to substitute your favorite chocolate whey protein. If you want to use a plant-based chocolate protein, it may affect baking time, so keep a close watch on the brownies.
- Olive Oil- or canola oil, or vegetable oil.
- Maple Syrup- You can substitute honey or any sugar-free liquid sweetener you like.
For the Ganache
Instructions for healthy cosmic protein brownies
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and position the rack in the center of the oven. Line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment paper. The best way to do this is to cut a piece that's long enough to cover the bottom of the pan and extend up two opposite sides, providing extra overhang (like handles) to lift the brownies out later. I then spray the parchment with non-stick spray and clip the sides with file clips.
Step 2: Place the chocolate chips and the olive oil in a microwave-safe container. Microwave the chocolate and oil together in 15-second intervals until the chocolate is melted, stirring after each interval. Set aside to cool slightly.
Step 3: In a large bowl, measure and sift together the oat flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. I sift the dry ingredients because cocoa powder tends to clump. If you don't have a sifter or a fine mesh strainer, you can just whisk the dry ingredients and be sure to break up any lumps.
Step 4: In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the eggs, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and the melted chocolate.
Step 5: Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir together with a spatula or large spoon until smooth. Allow the batter to rest for 3-4 minutes.
Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the center of the oven for 16-18 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges are set and the middle isn't quite set yet. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan. The brownies will finish setting in the pan. Do not overbake.
FAQs
Light colored aluminum pans work best for baking brownies. Aluminum heats up quickly and evenly, ensuring that your brownies come out perfectly every time. Line your brownie pan with parchment paper, then grease both the pan and the parchment paper. This will ensure that your brownies don't stick.
Yes! Refrigerate the brownies until the ganache is set. Then, cut them into squares, place them in a freezer container, and store them in the freezer. They will last up to three months.
Want more healthy dessert recipes?
Check these out!
Please let me know how you like the healthy cosmic protein brownies in the comments. Your feedback means a lot to me, and your star ratings encourage other readers to give this recipe a try. 🙂
Enjoy!
Crystal
📖 Recipe
Healthy Cosmic Protein Brownies
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips or chocolate chips of choice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
- ¾ cup oat flour*
- ⅓ cup chocolate whey protein powder*
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt any fine-grain salt
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup maple syrup or honey
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
For the Ganache
- ⅔ cup dark chocolate chips or chocolate chips of choice
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- dark mini chocolate chips and sprinkles for topping natural rainbow nonpareils
Instructions
For the brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350º F and line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment paper. Lightly coat the parchment paper with non-stick spray. (see the step-by-step instructions in the post above for the best way to line a brownie pan).
- Place the chocolate chips and the olive oil in a microwave-safe container. Microwave the chocolate and oil together in 15-second intervals until the chocolate is melted, stirring after each interval. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, measure and sift together the oat flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. I sift the dry ingredients because cocoa powder tends to clump. If you don't have a sifter or a fine mesh strainer, you can whisk the dry ingredients and be sure to break up any lumps.
- In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the eggs, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and the melted chocolate.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir together with a spatula or large spoon until smooth. Allow the batter to rest for 3-4 minutes.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the center of the oven for 16-18 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges are set and the middle isn't quite set yet. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan. The brownies will finish setting in the pan. Do not overbake.
- Once cooled, remove the brownies using the parchment overhang and transfer them to a plate or cutting board that will fit in your refrigerator.
For the ganache
- Once the brownies are completely cooled, proceed with the ganache.
- Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe container. Microwave the chocolate in 20-second intervals until the chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring after each interval.
- Whisk in the Greek yogurt until smooth. Frost the brownies immediately and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and sprinkles. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, or until the ganache is set.
- Cut into 12 squares and enjoy.
Notes
- Oat Flour– Oat flour is sold in stores, but it’s also super easy to make at home if you have a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix. Simply blend old-fashioned oats in the blender until the oats become a fine powder (about 30 seconds to a minute). Store your oat flour in an air-tight container for up to three months.
- Chocolate Whey Protein Powder- I used this grass-fed chocolate whey protein. Feel free to substitute your favorite chocolate whey protein. If you want to use a plant-based chocolate protein, it may affect baking time, so keep a close watch on the brownies.
- Sprinkles- I used these naturally-dyed sprinkles.
- Store your healthy brownies covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tanya Yentzen says
This brownie sounds dreamy. I can't wait to try them!