Delicious, slightly fudgy brownies made with whole grain flour, maple syrup, and applesauce, all made in one bowl!
Today's brownie recipe is a delicious, lower fat version made with applesauce.
Applesauce adds to both sweetness and texture, and it replaces some of the fat that you'd find in a typical brownie recipe.
These brownies are very easy to put together, and bake up quite fast, which is nice for impatient people like me!
Unlike some of my more bitter brownies and chocolate cakes, this one got a thumbs up from the all my kids.
The ingredient list is very clean and accessible, and the whole 8 x 8 pan only has just two tablespoons of added sweetener!
Ingredients and substitutions
I enjoy using spelt flour, whole wheat flour, and einkorn flour for this recipe. Oat flour will also work, though it makes for a more crumbly brownie.
For sweetness, I use a combination of maple syrup and stevia, along with some other flavorings, like vanilla and applesauce, to create a naturally sweet taste. Honey is also delicious in these, if you prefer that!
Melted butter is my fat of choice, though I do love olive oil as well. Grapeseed oil and melted coconut oil would round out my choices.
How to make brownies with applesauce
Though it may be taboo not to separately mix the dry and wet ingredients, I just use one bowl for everything! The less dishes the better.
I begin by mixing the dry ingredients in a large bowl to disperse the baking agents. Then, I make a little well and add in the applesauce, butter, syrup, egg, vanilla, and most of the chocolate (I like to save some for the top).
Once a batter forms, I add it to an oiled 8 x 8 inch baking dish.
The time for these to bake is right around 12-14 minutes, though I take them out at the lower end to avoid dry brownies. Just make sure the middle isn't jiggling!
Recipe tips
This recipe may not be for those of you used to the really sweet brownies, so please keep that in mind before trying!
Try my Instant Pot Applesauce in this recipe!
I love these with my Peanut Butter Frosting slathered on top!
Healthy Brownies with Applesauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup spelt, whole wheat, OR einkorn flour
- 5 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup applesauce
- 2 ½ Tablespoons melted butter olive oil also works
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- stevia to taste; I use about 1/8 teaspoon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add in the applesauce, butter, syrup, vanilla, egg, stevia, and a little more than half of the chocolate chips.
- Stir until well combined.
- Pour the batter into a well-oiled 8 x 8 baking dish and top with the remaining chocolate chips.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until not jiggly. Don't overbake!
- Allow brownies to sit and cool completely in order to avoid crumbling.
Notes
Nutrition
If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!
Stacey
YUM! These look amazing.. my plan for the day is to try one (or two) before the ol'gym myself!
Cindy Hoffman
Lauren,
I am super anxious to try this recipe, but will you verify that only 1/2 cup of oat flour is necessary? I have been going over the recipe in my mind and I can't picture enough for 9 servings. Thank you!
Lauren
Hi Cindy!
Sorry for the delay, my computer was on the fritz last night. Yes, 1/2 cup is correct. The batter seems a bit thin upon spreading it out, but it bakes up nice! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Liri
Do these freeze well...thinking for kids lunches..
Lauren
Hi Liri,
I haven't tried, so I'm not sure, but this link might help you: https://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2009/11/can-i-freeze-brownies-any-special-instructions.html
Carey
Hi! How would you try this egg free? Does it need the egg to rise? I usually replace with applesauce or flax. Maybe Rey flax since there is already apple sauce or more apple sauce and increase baking powder?
Lauren
Hi Carey,
I've tried it with extra milk, and they're still good, but the don't rise as well. I haven't tried any egg replacers, like flax or chia, but I think they'd be worth a shot!
Carey C White
it worked well!
Hanna
I made these and they were really good, but they were a little cakey. Do you think it could be because I overcooked them? I cooked them less than the recommended time, but my oven is SUPER strong. Wondering if I should make them the same way and cook for less time or is there something I could change to make it more fudgey?
Lauren
Hi Hanna,
I would guess they were overbaked, as I've had that happen as well! You want to try to bake them just until the top feels 'set' to the touch. Hope that helps!
Emily Klepper
These are SO good! I made them once and loved them! I quadrupled the recipe and I am making them right now for a road trip with my girl friends! The perfect energizing treat! 🙂
I veganized them using flax egg and leaving out the milk. I also used coconut oil because I like the flavor. Topped some with walnuts too!
Lauren
Yay, I'm so happy you liked them, Emily! I'll have to try the walnuts myself.
Lauren
Hi Taylor,
I'm not sure, you might just google 'almond flour brownies', as there are many! The stevia I just use to our taste (about 15-20 drops of the liquid version). Not sure how to sub it out here, sorry.
Cutaia Diane
Flavour was amazing! But they were very crumbly . Did I bake too long?
Lauren
Thank you! Could be baking them too long or using oat flour instead of a gluten-based one.
Claudia
How much stevia should I add?
Lauren
It totally depends on your sweet tooth. Keep in mind that by adding more maple, you're throwing off the wet-dry ingredients ratio, and the recipe won't turn out the same.
Caressa
Do you know if I can use coconut flour ?
Caressa
Can I substitute with coconut flour?
Lauren
I've never tried, sorry!
Clara
i made these veganized today and everyone loved it! did change a few things: instead of stevia, i used about 1/4 cup or 4 tbsp of half sugar half sweetener, and did 4 tbsp of almond milk instead of 1.
I didnt specifically replace the egg with anything and the recipe still turned out fantastic! also added walnuts:)
thank u for sharing!❤️
Srija chowdary
How to make them more gooey and fudgy
Anna Templeton
I make a recipe very similar to this one. I use 2 tblsps of the the "powdered" steveia and is it just perfect for my taste. I also add a few chocolate chips.
R
Amazing brownies!