Secretly Healthy 87 Calorie Brownies Recipe
These Secretly Healthy Brownies offer a deliciously rich chocolate experience with a healthy twist by incorporating grated zucchini and applesauce, reducing fat while maintaining moisture and flavor. Perfect for those craving brownies without the guilt, each serving has only 87 calories. These brownies are moist, fudgy, and packed with chocolate chips for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 to 16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2 cups finely grated zucchini (firmly packed)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/3 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2/3 cup oat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins and Toppings
- 1 cup chocolate chips and/or nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (for topping)
- 1/2 cup butterscotch chips (for topping)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (optional topping)
- Nutella (optional topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the grated zucchini, brown sugar, unsweetened applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated creating a uniform wet mixture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the oat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until evenly distributed.
- Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring continuously until you have a smooth, consistent batter without lumps.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts: Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips and/or your choice of nuts if desired, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for about 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Frost: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. If desired, frost the brownies with peanut butter, Nutella, or sprinkle with additional chocolate and butterscotch chips before serving.
Notes
- Using zucchini adds moisture without extra fat and sneaks in some veggies.
- Oat flour can be substituted with all-purpose flour if preferred.
- Check brownies at about 50 minutes to prevent overbaking, as ovens vary.
- Frosting options like peanut butter or Nutella add richness but increase calorie count.
- For a nut-free version, omit nuts and use only chocolate chips.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: healthy brownies, low calorie brownies, zucchini brownies, chocolate brownies, guilt-free dessert, low fat dessert, easy baking recipe
