Description
Rich, fudgy Gluten-Free Cottage Cheese Date Brownies naturally sweetened with dates and maple syrup, topped with a creamy high-protein cookie dough layer. Perfect for a healthier dessert, meal prep treat, or sharing at gatherings.
Ingredients
For the brownie layer:
• 10 dates (soaked in hot water for 10 minutes to soften)
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 4 tbsp chocolate protein powder (e.g., Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard)
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp salt
For the cookie dough topping:
• 1 cup cottage cheese (thick style recommended, e.g., Good Culture)
• 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
• 1 1/4 cups almond flour (fine crumb works best)
• 2 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp cashew butter
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (optional but recommended)
Instructions
1. Soak dates in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain well.
2. Blend or mash the softened dates into a smooth paste.
3. In a bowl, mix date paste, almond flour, chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until a thick batter forms.
4. Line an 8×8-inch pan (or similar) with parchment paper and press/spread the brownie layer evenly into the bottom.
5. Blend cottage cheese until completely smooth and creamy.
6. In a bowl, combine blended cottage cheese, vanilla protein powder, almond flour, maple syrup, cashew butter, vanilla, and mini chocolate chips until thick like cookie dough.
7. Spread the cookie dough topping evenly over the brownie layer.
8. Chill in the refrigerator for 2–3 hours (or overnight for cleanest slices) until set.
9. Slice into bars and serve chilled.
Notes
For the fudgiest texture, chill overnight before slicing.
Nut-free option: swap almond flour for oat flour and cashew butter for sunflower seed butter (texture may vary).
Dairy-free option: use thick dairy-free cottage cheese or blended silken tofu.
If skipping chocolate chips, add a pinch more salt or extra vanilla for flavor.
Estimated nutrition provided below is approximate and depends on brands used.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg