There are times when digging into an indulgent chocolate brownie is 100 percent worth it, whether it’s your birthday, the annual holiday party, or some other special occasion. But when the craving for something fudgey and sugary strikes on a random Tuesday at 8 p.m., you might want a healthier way to satisfy it.
And for that, we bring you this healthy single-serve brownie recipe.
MyFitnessPal partnered with well-known foodie and content creator Michelle Chen of @run2food to develop this delicious vegan and gluten-free dessert. If you don’t follow a vegan diet, you can easily swap out the alternative milk and vegan protein powder to match your health goals and dietary preferences.
“This fudge brownie is seriously SO YUM guys!” Michelle posted on Instagram, calling it the “best” one she’s ever made.
Low in sugar and high in protein, it’s an easy way to stay on track with your health and wellness goals while still getting your chocolate fix. Even better? It only takes 90 seconds to whip up. Here’s why this 6-ingredient brownie is a more nutritious sweet treat, and how to make it yourself.
The benefits of high protein desserts
Michelle’s single-serve brownie recipe is macro-friendly, packed with 25 grams of protein (to compare, a 3-ounce serving of chicken breast has 26 grams). But why is that so important—and why are so many recipes for protein desserts popping up lately?
To start, protein is a necessary macronutrient. And no, it isn’t just for bodybuilders and serious athletes. We all need protein for proper development and basic bodily functions, including strengthening bones, building muscle, and maintaining healthy tissues and organs.
In this particular single-serve brownie recipe, Michelle uses a vegan chocolate protein powder from Australian supplement brand Macro Mike as her protein source. You can use any preferred chocolate protein powder for the recipe.
If you want to track your protein intake to monitor how much you’re eating every day (and make sure you’re getting enough for your needs), you can use the MyFitnessPal app. In her sponsored post, Michelle calls it her “go-to app for calculating macros of my recipes and also ensuring that I eat enough protein in my vegan diet.”
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What else makes this fudge “healthy”?
Along with its higher protein content, Michelle’s recipe has zero added sugar. Instead of white sugar—which is what most brownie recipes call for—Michelle swaps in more natural sweeteners, including banana and maple syrup. Bananas are a great source of potassium and other vitamins. And maple syrup has more minerals and antioxidants than refined sugar.
She also uses almond milk as a vegan and plant-based alternative to dairy milk. Almond milk is lower in calories than regular milk. It also contains a decent amount of vitamin E, which can help reduce inflammation.
Ingredients: Instructions:6-Ingredient Healthy Chocolate Fudge Recipe
