High-Protein Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

These brownies take a basic mix and turn it into something better. You get a rich chocolate base with a smooth cheesecake layer on top, plus a small protein boost from cottage cheese. It still tastes like dessert, just a bit more balanced and less heavy.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray, for greasing
• About 3/4 cup cottage cheese (split into two portions)
• 1 pack cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup regular sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 packet brownie mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
• 1 tablespoon chocolate protein powder

Method

Step 1
Preheat your oven to 180°C and line a square baking pan with parchment. Lightly grease it so nothing sticks.

Step 2
Blend the cottage cheese until completely smooth. Take a small portion aside for the brownie batter.

Step 3
Add cream cheese and sugar into the blender with the remaining cottage cheese. Blend until smooth, then mix in egg and vanilla.

Step 4
Prepare the brownie mix in a bowl as per package instructions. Stir in protein powder and the reserved cottage cheese.

Step 5
Pour most of the brownie batter into the pan. Spread the cheesecake layer over it, then drop small amounts of the remaining brownie batter on top and swirl lightly.

Step 6
Bake for about 35–40 minutes until mostly set. Let it cool completely before cutting.

Nutritional Breakdown (Approximate, per serving)

Total servings: 9

• Calories: ~316 kcal
• Protein: ~6 g
• Carbohydrates: ~46 g
• Fat: ~12 g
• Sugar: ~31 g