Makes: *1 Serving*
Per Serving: *42g Protein | 370 Cal*

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recipe for brownie in a mug - close-up of the finished brownie

Everyone needs a quick and easy dessert from time to time. This recipe for brownie in a mug is the ideal thing to have in your back pocket when you’re looking for something sweet, chocolatey, and yet somehow still good for you (you’ll be surprised how much protein I managed to pack into this simple microwave dessert!). Ready in two minutes (since you cook it in the microwave, you don’t even need to turn on your oven!), this brownie in a mug recipe is rich and indulgent, yet will help you recover after a hard workout or hit the spot when you need a little afternoon pick-me-up.

Traditional brownies generally leave you with a whole pan of brownies when you get to the end of the recipe. Plus, those brownies are generally far more "decadent desserts" than they are "healthy snacks". Full of refined sugar, oil, and the like, traditional brownies are really delicious, but probably won't help in your efforts to reach your health and wellness goals. This brownie, however, actually is good for you, with plenty of protein and a bit of maple syrup as the main sweetener. Not only is this fudgy mug brownie good for you and easy to make whenever the chocolate cravings strike, it makes just one, meaning it's the perfect sweet treat for any time of the day or night.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Brownie in a Mug

Packed with Protein: Each brownie in a mug contains 42 grams of protein, perfect for helping you recover faster after a hard workout or keeping you full all afternoon long.
Ready in Just Minutes: Mix a few simple ingredients in a single mug, microwave it, and in just about 2 minutes you’ll have a gooey, delicious brownie—all without even turning on your oven.
Dreamy Texture: Love a lava cake? This easy mug brownie recipe is rich and indulgent, with a lava cake texture. It's just like your favorite ooey gooey brownie, but without the added sugar and fat that comes with traditional lava cakes.

Ingredients

1 egg
1/3 cup blended cottage cheese
1-2 tablespoon maple syrup
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (flavor matters!)
3.5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
A little salt
Some chocolate chips to add on top

Instructions

Mix the Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, blended cottage cheese, and maple syrup to a microwave-safe mug or small bowl. Stir well to combine.
Add the Dry Ingredients: Add the chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt to the mug. Stir to mix up the brownie batter. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
Cook the Brownie in a Mug: Place the mug into a microwave and heat on high power for 90 seconds. When done, the center should still be a bit gooey (just like a lava cake). If it's not done after 90 seconds, microwave in 10-second increments until the brownie is done.
Let Cool, then Enjoy: Remove the brownie from the microwave and let it sit for a few minutes to cool, then enjoy your healthy sweet treat.

Nutrition Information (Makes 1 Serving)

Calories: 370
Protein: 42g
Carbs: 29g
Fat: 9g

Swaps and Substitutions

Add a Filling or Flavor Mix-In: Want to make your brownie even more decadent? Add a square of dark chocolate to the center of the brownie before microwaving for a gooey middle. You could also stir in nuts, chocolate chips, crushed peppermint pieces, toffee, a bit of nut butter, or any of your other favorite add-ons.
Garnish Your Brownie in a Mug: Although your brownie in a mug will taste great on its own, you can also add a little extra special touch. Try sprinkling on sprinkles, nuts, fresh berries, a sprig of fresh mint, a bit of coconut whipped cream or Greek yogurt, or adding a drizzle of caramel, peanut butter, or even raspberry jam. Looking for an extra indulgent topping for this fudgy chocolate brownie? Try a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Make it More or Less Sweet: If you like a sweeter brownie, add a little more maple syrup or a touch of vanilla extract to bring out the sweetness of the brownie. Like a more subtly sweet treat? Cut back on the maple syrup next time.
Boost the Chocolatey Flavor: If you really want to make the flavor of this easy brownie pop, try adding a touch of espresso powder. It's the best way to boost the flavor in any chocolate brownies or cakes.
Make it Richer: If you want to add a little extra richness to your microwave brownie, add a little bit of melted butter, olive oil, or melted coconut oil to your wet ingredient mixture. Make sure you're not adding too much to make the brownie greasy, but just a tiny bit can make the batter even richer.

recipe for brownie in a mug - graphic with the title of the recipe and a photo of a brownie in a mug

FAQs

This brownie in a mug can pretty easily be made dairy-free. Use a vegan protein-powder and use a dairy-free yogurt instead of the cottage cheese for a dairy-free treat.
No, this brownie in a mug is best enjoyed freshly made.
This brownie mug cake is already naturally gluten-free. Just make sure your protein powder and cocoa powder are gluten-free (they should be) if you need to strictly avoid gluten.
Not quite. Although the texture of this brownie is similar to a soft brownie, it also has a lot in common with a traditional molten chocolate cake. You’ll have a chocolatey, cake-like treat with a gooey center.

This recipe for brownie in a mug is one you’ll make over and over again because it's such a simple way to get your chocolate fix. Super simple, ready in 2 minutes, and bursting with both protein and chocolate flavor, it’s the ideal snack, late-night dessert, or post-workout treat. The perfect treat to satisfy any sweet tooth, this chocolate mug brownie recipe is sure to become a favorite dessert for the chocolate lover in your life.