Want to have your brownies & eat them too? If you’re trying to keep your diet clean, your fitness mean and your body lean, it does require a few lifestyle adjustments and a whole lot of self-discipline. But what if we told you we’ve got a couple tricks up our sleeve to crush those chocolate cravings when they hit harder than an MLB player at bat?

Enter 30-Calorie Protein Brownies. 

No, they’re not as good as grammies, but they do the trick when you just need that nibble of something sweet. Plus, they pack in a protein punch to help keep hunger at bay thanks to the satiating effects of every bro's favorite macronutrient.

With just a handful of ingredients, including the secret something that gives this treat that fresh-baked touch, these brownies are a must-make when wellness motivation wanes and self-control starts to crumble like the cookies your co-workers keep leaving in the break room.

What You’ll Need…

• 5 TBSP cocoa powder
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder of choice
• 3 ½ TBSP Oats, ground into flour
• 4 TBSP (more or less dependent on taste preference) zero-calorie sweetener of choice (we love monk fruit, stevia, or erythritol)
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• pinch of salt (sea salt if you want to get fancy)
• 1 ¼ cup Original Bubbles
• Optional: Sugar free chocolate chips (will add a few extra calories)

What You’ll Do…

1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
2. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients until evenly distributed. If the cocoa powder is clumpy, give it a little sieve action to de-lump (no, it’s not a word. Just go with it).
3. Lightly stir in the Original Bubbles until no lumps remain. The batter should be very liquid and bubbling. Stir in the chocolate chips if inviting them to the protein-packed party.
4. Immediately pour the mixture into your greased or lined 8”x8” pan and bake for 25 - 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
5. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes after baking, then an additional 30 minutes out of the pan before slicing and storing. The brownies will continue to cook in the pan after leaving the oven, so they may not have set completely.

Bonus Tip: Wrap them individually in aluminum foil (because portion control, right?) and reheat in the microwave with a dollop of sugar-free frozen whipped topping for a little a la mode action. Recipe makes 16 brownies.

Spice it up: Try this recipe with other Bubbles flavors, like Strawberry or Valencia Orange, for a little fruity action. We like to add freeze dried strawberries for a chocolate covered strawberry vibe, and a touch of orange zest to give a taste of a holiday favorite, Terry's Chocolate Oranges (p.s., if you're looking for a real deal brownie recipe, give this one a shot).