Healthy Brownie Recipe | Applesauce Instead of Butter!

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Healthy Brownie Recipe | Applesauce Brownies

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Applesauce brownies from a healthy brownie recipe

I first heard about applesauce brownies when researching recipes for an earlier post on Whole Wheat Brownies.  Supposedly, you could replace all of the butter in made-from-scratch brownies (or the oil in a brownie mix) with unsweetened applesauce, and the brownies would still taste good.  It would be the ultimate healthy brownie recipe.  Since the theme for this week’s #SundaySupper is “Lighten Up the Holidays,” I thought I’d give it a whirl.

I’m sure you’re dying to know if it worked.  As a matter of fact, it did!  However, there’s one really important thing you need to know.

Let.  These.  Brownies.  Rest!

That’s right, folks.  Don’t snarf them right out of the pan.  These applesauce brownies need time to cool off completely for the flavors to mellow and meld.  If you can, wait 24 hours, or at least overnight, before eating them.  If you do, you’ll be rewarded with a really delicious, chocolatey brownie with a very dense, slightly cakey and slightly fudgy texture.

Would you like to know what these brownies reminded me of?  Well, if you’ve ever eaten a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream that comes with brownie chunks in it, this healthy brownie recipe produces a brownie that tastes just like those.  I’m not pulling your leg.  My kids loved these, and I rather liked snacking on them, too.  Especially with a nice cup of milk.  It’s not exactly the same as a traditional brownie, but it’s still really tasty and satisfying.  Don’t forget to let them rest!

Since the flavor of this brownie recipe depends heavily upon the quality of your cocoa powder, pick a good one.  My favorite is Guittard Cocoa Rouge.

Also, if at some point you’d rather have the ultimate in brownie indulgence, try my Ultimate Deep Dish Brownies!  If you try out any of my recipes, please stop by and let me know how it went.  I love to hear recipe feedback!  Be sure to come back soon for more tasty stuff.

PS – Try the GLUTEN FREE version of this recipe.

5 from 1 vote
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Healthy Brownie Recipe | Applesauce Brownies

These healthy brownies are made with applesauce and have almost no butter in them, yet they taste delicious!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 9
Calories 170 kcal
Author Katie Moseman

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce at room temperature
  • 2 TB butter melted
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Move a rack to the lower third of the oven and preheat to 325. Prepare an 8 inch square pan by lining it with parchment or foil.
  2. Stir the melted butter into the applesauce. If the applesauce is cold and the butter firms up, warm the mixture in the microwave for a few seconds until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and the applesauce/butter mixture. Stir together. Add the cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla, and stir until combined. Stir in the eggs.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the batter and gently stir until just combined. Bake in the lower third of the oven for about 25 minutes. The center will be risen and the edges will be firm, but a toothpick inserted in the middle should be a bit wet when removed. If the batter on your toothpick becomes firm when cool, the brownies are done.
  5. Let cool completely. For best flavor, store these brownies overnight before eating.
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Brownie Recipe | Applesauce Brownies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 170 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 43mg14%
Sodium 103mg4%
Potassium 140mg4%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 23g26%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 130IU3%
Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
Calcium 15mg2%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Gluten Free Cookbook

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Katie

      I did use bananas last month for Banana Brownies with Watermelon Syrup and Yogurt Whipped Cream. I found that the bananas contributed to a slightly cakier texture, but they were still yummy.

      Reply

  7. Shaina

    I’ve used applesauce in my baked goods so many times, and I always think it works very well. Great to see that the Perfect Brownie expert agrees 🙂

    Reply

  10. Dini @ giramuks kitchen

    oooh! I’ve never tried adding apple sauce to Brownies. All the flavour minus some of the calories? Sounds like something I should have in the fridge all the time! 🙂

    Reply

    • Katie

      Hi Sarah! Nice to see you again. I’ve visited your site several times, but your Disqus link just sends me back to your post again and doesn’t bring up a comment form. Thought you might want to know. I’ll try again next week and see if I can post a comment. 🙂

      Reply

  17. Sandi

    5 stars
    I just made these and this is a keeper and probably my new go to easy sweet desert. We did not wait the 24 hrs..but hopefully there’s some left tomorrow to see. Great easy recipe!!

    Reply

    • Katie

      Yay! I’m so happy that you liked them. I am working on converting this recipe to a cake recipe, which will be coming soon. Bigger, taller, sliceable into wedges… and oh so chocolaty. Check back in a week or two!

      Reply

  18. Barbara Duckworth

    I have these in the oven. The batter was very thick. Fingers crossed. They smell great! My husband will be the taste tester. If he is on board, I’ll be making these quite often. Always looking for ways to cut calories! Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply

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