Tessa’s Recipe Rundown
TASTE: There’s a bunch of cocoa powder in this recipe that lends that characteristic chocolaty flavor we all love in a brownie. These have just enough sweetness, you really don’t miss the processed sugar all that much. TEXTURE: For being whole wheat and butter-free these brownies are surprisingly tender. However, they aren’t quite as rich, fudgy, and chewy as brownies made with a bunch of butter, but that’s to be expected. These are ever so slightly cakey. If you refrigerate them before serving it gives them a more fudgy texture. EASE: Super quick and easy. These brownies taste best out of the fridge so they just require a little patience while you wait for them to chill. APPEARANCE: They look just like brownies! PROS: Healthy, easy, satisfying. CONS: Nothing will ever replace a traditional brownie, but this recipe is definitely more of an everyday fair. WOULD I MAKE THIS AGAIN? Sure!This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
These ultra chocolaty Skinny Brownies are 100% whole wheat and are made with no butter or processed sugar! You’ll love this fabulous guilt-free dessert.
Last Friday I posted The Ultimate Guide to Chocolate Chip Cookies Part 3 where I delved into ingredient substitution for dietary needs, experimenting with making cookies healthier, whole wheat, vegan, gluten-free, egg-free, or butter-free. The results were fascinating, at least to a baking nerd like me. I used some of the information I learned from those experiments to find and adapt a great “skinny” brownie recipe. Today’s recipe is adapted from Jillian Michaels’ healthy brownie recipe, and I think it’s a winner.
It’s really difficult for me to make healthy adaptions in baking recipes because I’m so familiar with the science of baking that when I take away the ingredients and methods I KNOW will give me a marvelous brownie, I feel like I’m committing a culinary sin. Those ingredients that lend to a marvelous brownie are often not the healthiest, and not something we should be routinely eating. Everything in moderation right? Well with these brownies you don’t have to feel guilty about eating often, because they’re made with whole wheat flour, maple syrup instead of processed sugar, and a combination of applesauce and coconut oil in place of the butter. Give them a try and let me know what you think!
Skinny Brownies
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2/3 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tablespoons organic virgin coconut oil
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with foil and spray generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the maple syrup in a deep small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds, or until warmed. Microwave for 15 seconds longer if using refrigerated maple syrup. Whisk in the cocoa powder and let cool.
- In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl whisk the applesauce, coconut oil, egg, and vanilla. Add maple mixture and whisk until smooth. Add the flour mixture and stir just until incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chunks.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25 minutes, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs still attached. Cool in the pan on a wire rack to room temperature. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing into 16 squares. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Hi Tessa,
These look so good and I really want to try these, but I only have Dutch-processed cocoa powder right now. I’ve read your blog post about the two different cocoa powders, which was really helpful, but I’m still unsure if I can switch the two for this recipe. Is it possible for me to use Dutch-processed cocoa instead?
Thank you so much! 🙂
I would not recommend it for this recipe. The blog post explaining the difference between the two cocoas explains that they can only be used interchangeably if there is no baking soda or baking powder called for in the recipe, and this recipe has both.
Can I use something besides apple sauce? Also can I use half all purpose and half whole wheat. I dont have white whole wheat. Thanks
I made these today! They are so moist and chocolaty ! Love them! I did substitute honey for maple syrup!!
I absolutely loved this recipe! I added 1/6 of slivered almonds which gave a bit it crunch and texture to an otherwise very soft, decadent brownie and together it was the best brownie (so what healthier too) that I’ve ever made.
– Moral of the story add 1/6 cup of slivered almonds and it’ll be the best skinny brownie you’ll have made