Fudgy, rich and properly chocolatey protein brownies that use Simply Desserts Chocolate Protein Pudding mix as both a protein boost and a moisture booster. The milk-protein mix and its built-in thickeners keep the crumb dense and fudgy instead of dry and cakey, the way protein-powder brownies often turn out. Honest heads-up: these are still a baked treat. The butter, eggs and chocolate bring real calories and fat, so they are not low-calorie or fat-free. What you do get is brownies with almost no added sugar and noticeably more protein than the regular kind. A smarter treat, not a free one.
Recipe: Fudgy Protein Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 box Simply Desserts Chocolate Protein Pudding Mix
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for a lower-carb version)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup granulated erythritol or monk fruit sweetener
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (or melted coconut oil)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup milk (any kind), plus more if needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sugar-free dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F (175C) and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Simply Desserts Chocolate Protein Pudding mix, flour, cocoa powder, erythritol, baking powder and salt until evenly combined.
- Add the melted butter, eggs, milk and vanilla. Stir until you have a thick, glossy batter. If it feels too stiff to spread, add another splash of milk a tablespoon at a time.
- Fold in most of the chocolate chips, saving a handful to press onto the top.
- Spread the batter into the lined pan and level the surface. Scatter the reserved chocolate chips over the top.
- Bake for 20 to 24 minutes, until the top is set with a crackly sheen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). Do not overbake: these are meant to be fudgy.
- Cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before lifting out and cutting into 9 squares. They firm up and turn fudgier as they cool.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 215 |
| Protein | 6g |
| Fat | 15g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Fiber | 3g |
Why This Recipe Works
Most protein brownies go wrong because plain protein powder soaks up moisture and bakes into a dry, rubbery block. Simply Desserts Chocolate Protein Pudding mix behaves completely differently. It carries milk protein isolate and concentrate for the protein hit, plus corn starch and emulsifiers that trap moisture and give baked goods a soft, fudgy set. Folded into a classic cocoa-and-butter brownie batter, it deepens the chocolate flavour and keeps the center dense and moist. The erythritol and stevia in the mix also mean the sweetness comes with no added sugar from that part of the recipe, so almost all the sugar in the finished brownie comes down to whatever chips you choose. Use sugar-free chips and you are looking at a genuinely low-sugar brownie that still eats like the real thing.
Simply Desserts is a real dessert brand, not a protein supplement company trying to make dessert. That means genuine flavour, creamy texture, and clean ingredients. Each serving delivers about 6g of protein, and the Simply Desserts pudding base stays sugar-free (any sugar comes from your mix-ins).
Variations
Lower-Sugar Version
Use sugar-free dark chocolate chips (or chopped 90 percent dark chocolate) and stick with the erythritol or monk fruit sweetener. This keeps added sugar to roughly 1g per square while staying rich and fudgy.
Lower-Carb / Gluten-Free
Swap the all-purpose flour for the same amount of almond flour. The brownies come out a little denser and richer, with fewer carbs and no gluten.
Extra-Fudgy Truffle Brownies
Drop the flour to 1/2 cup and add an extra egg yolk. The result is a denser, almost truffle-like brownie. Watch the bake time, as they set faster.
Salted Caramel Top
Swirl a tablespoon of sugar-free caramel sauce across the batter before baking and finish with a pinch of flaky salt for a salted-caramel brownie.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make protein brownies with Simply Desserts pudding mix?
Whisk 1 box of Simply Desserts Chocolate Protein Pudding mix with 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, 3/4 cup erythritol, baking powder and salt. Stir in 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup milk and vanilla, fold in chocolate chips, then bake in an 8x8 pan at 350F for 20 to 24 minutes. Cool before cutting into 9 squares.
How much protein is in these protein brownies?
Cut into 9 squares, each brownie works out to roughly 6g of protein. The Simply Desserts Chocolate Protein Pudding mix contributes 20g protein per box, and the eggs, milk and flour add the rest. It is more protein than a regular brownie, but it is an honest calculated figure, not 20g per square.
Are these protein brownies sugar-free or healthy?
They are very low in added sugar, around 1g per square when you use sugar-free chocolate chips, because the Simply Desserts mix is sweetened with erythritol and stevia rather than sugar. But they are still a treat: at about 215 calories and 15g fat per square from the butter, eggs and chocolate, they are not low-calorie or fat-free. Think higher-protein and low-sugar rather than diet food.
Can I make these protein brownies without flour or gluten-free?
Yes. Swap the all-purpose flour for the same amount of almond flour for a gluten-free, lower-carb brownie. They turn out a touch denser and richer. The Simply Desserts pudding mix itself is certified gluten-free.
Why are my protein brownies dry or cakey?
Dry, cakey protein brownies usually come from plain protein powder or overbaking. Using a protein pudding mix like Simply Desserts helps because its starch and emulsifiers hold moisture for a fudgy set. Pull the brownies when a toothpick shows a few moist crumbs, not clean, and let them cool fully so they firm up into that fudgy texture.
Try Chocolate Protein Pudding
20g protein per box. Zero sugar. Real dessert flavour. Ready in 2 minutes.
