Fudgy Protein Brownies

|Alak Vasa
Fudgy Protein Brownies
Make with Elements: Fudgy Protein Brownies
Make with Elements

Fudgy Protein Brownies

Rich, fudgy brownies that taste like dessert. Clean ingredients. Vegan. Complete protein. No refined sugar. Ready in 30 minutes.

Why we made this

Brownies made with protein powder shouldn't taste like supplements

When you use Elements Chocolate Protein Powder, something shifts. The powder already contains real cacao, ashwagandha, and brahmi. These aren't supplement flavors trying to hide in chocolate. They belong there. They taste like dessert.

These brownies are intentionally simple. Seven core ingredients. No weird binders, no artificial anything. Just real chocolate, real maple syrup, and a flax egg to hold it together. The result tastes like something from a premium bakery. Except it's actually good for you.

Makes
12
Rich brownies
Prep + Bake
30min
Start to finish
Per brownie
3-4g
Complete protein
What you need

Ingredients

Dry ingredients
  • 1 cup (120g) almond flour
  • 1 scoop (32g) Elements Chocolate Protein Powder
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
Wet ingredients
  • 1/3 cup melted coconut oil (or avocado oil)
  • 2 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tbsp water (flax egg)
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup (or coconut nectar)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut cream or non-dairy yogurt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp almond butter (or tahini for nut-free)
Optional add-ins
  • 1/3 cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips (or chopped Elements dark chocolate bar)
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar (for extra fudginess)
How to make them

Step by step

1Preheat. Heat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.
2Make flax egg. Mix 2 tbsp ground flaxseed with 6 tbsp water in a small bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until thickened.
3Mix dry. In a bowl, whisk together almond flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Break up any lumps in the cocoa powder.
4Mix wet. In another bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil, flax egg, maple syrup, coconut cream, vanilla, and almond butter until smooth.
5Combine. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until just combined - don't overmix. Fold in chocolate chips if using.
6Bake. Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth the top. Bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (don't overbake - you want them fudgy).
7Cool. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Cool completely before cutting into 12 squares.
Why this matters

What makes these different

Almond flour gives structure and richness without requiring eggs or dairy. Creates a tender crumb that doesn't crumble.

Flax egg binds everything together while keeping it completely plant-based. Also adds omega-3s without weird texture.

Coconut cream + maple syrup create moisture and fudginess without dairy or applesauce. Maple syrup adds natural depth that refined sugar can't replicate.

Elements Chocolate Protein Powder does the heavy lifting. It adds protein (3g per brownie), gives authentic chocolate flavor, and brings in ashwagandha and brahmi for calm energy. The real cacao in the powder means zero weird aftertaste.

Unsweetened cocoa powder is crucial. Quality matters here. It's what makes these taste like real brownies, not protein bars.

The honest truth about these brownies —
They contain 7-8g natural sugars per brownie from maple syrup. We're not pretending they have zero sugar. We're using whole-food sweetening instead of refined sugar. They're real dessert that actually supports your body instead of working against it.
Make it yours

Five ways to vary the recipe

  • Mint chocolate: Add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract to the wet ingredients. Perfect Girl Scout Thin Mint vibe.
  • Spiced brownies: Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1/8 tsp cayenne to the dry ingredients. Creates unexpected warmth and complexity.
  • Extra fudgy: Increase coconut cream to 1/3 cup and reduce maple syrup to 1/4 cup. For serious richness without extra sweetness.
  • Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter instead of almond butter and oat flour instead of almond flour. Works beautifully.
  • With dark chocolate chunks: Fold in 1/3 cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips or chunks from an Elements bar. Creates pockets of intense chocolate.
Before you bake

Pro tips for perfect brownies

  • Don't skip the parchment paper. It makes removal and cleanup easy, and prevents any sticking.
  • These brownies are best when still slightly warm. The fudginess is absolutely peak right out of the oven.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They get even better the next day as flavors meld.
  • Freeze extras in a zip-top bag for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • For extra fudge factor, dust with cocoa powder or a tiny sprinkle of coconut sugar right after baking while still warm.
  • Don't overbake. You want a toothpick to come out with just a few moist crumbs in the center, not fully dry.
What's inside

Nutrition per brownie

Protein: 3-4g (complete amino acid profile). Fiber: 2-3g. Natural sugars: 7-8g (maple syrup only). Healthy fats: from coconut oil and almond butter. Adaptogens: ashwagandha and brahmi from the Elements Chocolate Protein Powder. Antioxidants: from real, ethically-sourced cacao.

Why this matters —
When you use Elements Chocolate Protein Powder, you're not adding a supplement that tastes like chocolate. You're adding chocolate that happens to contain 20g of complete protein per scoop. Every brownie carries that forward. This is dessert with actual nutritional integrity.
About the protein powder

Why Elements Chocolate Protein Powder works here

Elements Chocolate Protein Powder contains just six ingredients: organic pea protein, organic cacao, organic ground vanilla beans, organic ashwagandha, organic monk fruit extract, and organic brahmi. No gums. No sugar alcohols. No artificial flavors. Zero grams of sugar per serving.

One scoop (32g) provides 20g of complete protein. The ashwagandha and brahmi are adaptogens that actually belong in chocolate. When you bake with this powder, you're not fighting its properties. You're working with them.

Available on ElementsTruffles.com. Start with this brownie recipe to experience what quality protein powder can do. Once you taste it, you'll be adding it to smoothies, hot chocolate, and everything else.

Recipe notes: These brownies are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. They contain almonds and coconut. All ingredients are organic where possible. Makes 12 brownies. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.