1-First Step: Prep the pan and oven Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easier removal. If you are baking for meal prep, parchment also makes slicing and storing easier later. Set the pan aside while you mix the batter.

2-Second Step: Blend the wet ingredients Add the cottage cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and optional sugar to a blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture looks smooth and creamy. This step matters because it removes any curds and gives your cottage cheese protein brownies a smooth texture. If your cottage cheese is very thick, blend a little longer until it turns silky.

3-Third Step: Mix the dry ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Make sure there are no cocoa lumps. This helps the batter mix evenly and gives you a more even brownie texture. If you are making these for someone who likes extra chocolate flavor, you can also add a pinch of salt here, though it is not required.

4-Fourth Step: Combine wet and dry mixtures Pour the blended wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Do not overmix, because that can make the brownies less tender. The batter will be thick, and that is normal. If you are used to thin brownie batters, this one may look a little different, but trust the process.

5-Fifth Step: Fold in the chocolate chips Add the 1/3 cup chocolate chips and fold them in carefully. This keeps the chips from sinking and gives every slice a nice chocolate bite. You can use regular chips or mini chips here. If you want a more dessert-like finish, save a few extra chips to sprinkle over the top before baking.

6-Sixth Step: Bake until set Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle on extra chocolate chips if you like. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center looks just barely firm. The middle may still look a little soft, and that is fine. These brownies continue to set as they cool.

7-Seventh Step: Cool and slice Let the brownies cool completely before slicing. This is one of the most important steps for getting neat squares. If you cut them too soon, they can crumble or feel too soft. Once cooled, slice into 9 brownies. For the cleanest cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it between slices.