Protein Brownie Bar

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease the 8x8-inch baking pan with 1 tablespoon of softened butter. Line the baking pan with parchment paper that is long enough to overhang slightly over the edge of the pan. This will help to remove the bars from the pan. Set pan aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, salt, and protein powder. Using a whisk, combine dry ingredients to ensure the ingredients are well blended. Set bowl aside. 

Step 3

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and using a whisk, whisk until the brown sugar is incorporated and lump free. While the ingredients are still warm, add the almond butter and whisk to combine. Once the almond butter has been incorporated, set pan aside and let mixture cool slightly. Once cooled slightly, add the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until ingredients are smooth. 

Step 4

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and using a rubber spatula, blend ingredients, but do not overmix. Add the mini chocolate chips and stir to combine. The batter will be thick.

Step 5

Transfer batter to the prepared pan and spread into pan with a rubber spatula. A small off-set spatula may also be used. Place pan on the middle rack of preheated oven. Bake for 22-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted has a few wet crumbs attached. Place pan on a cooling rack to cool completely when finished baking. Be careful not to overbake as the brownie bars will be dry. 

Step 6

While the bars are cooling, prepare chocolate drizzle. In a medium-sized microwave safe bowl, add almond butter, chocolate chips, and butter. Microwave mixture in 30 second increments to ensure butter and chocolate are melted. Stir with a rubber spatula to ensure drizzle is smooth. Set bowl aside until ready to decorate brownie bars. 

Step 7

When the bars have cooled to room temperature, remove bars from the pan by lifting out by using the parchment paper overhang to help to lift from pan. Place on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut bars in half. Cut each of the half into 3, to make a total of 6 cuts. Rotate bars and cut into 3 pieces lengthwise. This will make a total of 18 bars.  

Step 8

To decorate each bar, transfer the chocolate drizzle to a pastry bag fitted with a small round tip, or a squeeze bottle may also be used. Decorate each bar by piping the drizzle diagonally across each bar. If the drizzle seems a little firm, warm in the microwave slightly. Let the drizzle harden slightly before serving.