These are the BEST healthy brownies! They are SO fudgy and made with whole wheat flour, coconut oil, applesauce and have reduced sugar.
Recipe first posted on RecipeGirl.
So, here we are: January. How are those New Years resolutions going??
I’ll be honest, I don’t usually make much for resolutions. I try to just eat healthier on a regular basis, with the odd treat thrown in here and there. It just kind of turns out that around Christmas, there’s a lot more here and there, and here and there.
My goal this month is to bring you more healthy variations and makeovers of your favorite comfort foods, so that you can enjoy them all year long without feeling guilty about it! Yes, even treats.
Even chocolate.
Especially on Mondays.
I was blown away by how well these turned out on my first try. Dare I say, they were perfect the first time.
My goal was to cut out most of the fat, sugar and use whole grains. I based this recipe off of my recipe for The Best Brownies Ever (because I know you already love that one!), but I reduced it to make only an 8×8″ pan. I did this because I was sure it was going to take me a few tries to get it right and I didn’t want 3 9×13″ pans of subpar brownies laying around.
Except it turns out, they were incredibly rich and fudgy and delicious.
I was most nervous about cutting out a lot of the sugar. My normal recipe would have had 1 ¼ cups of sugar in an 8×8″ pan. This recipe has only ½ cup. It has a rich, dark chocolatey flavor but they are sweet enough. My kids loved them, so you know they still taste like a treat!
I used a combination of unsweetened applesauce (this helps to add a bit more natural sweetness!) and melted coconut oil. This was my first time using coconut oil, and I just wanted to try it and see! I know it’s getting to be A Big Thing (yes, I’m behind the times!) and I wanted to see how it would work to make super fudgy brownies. So well!
So if you’re looking for a healthier treat that doesn’t taste like a sacrifice? These are for you!
The Best Healthy Brownies
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup refined coconut oil solid at room temperature, melted
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8×8″ pan with tin foil or parchment paper. Grease lightly with non stick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together coconut oil, applesauce, vanilla and eggs.
- Add in flour, cocoa, and sugar and stir until combined completely.
- Spread into prepared pan, sprinkle with chocolate chips and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out almost clean. The brownies should still be glossy on top in the middle, but look dry at the edges and the toothpick may have some moist crumbs.
- Cool to room temperature before slicing.
Nutrition Information
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Rachel Bryant says
These were AWESOME!! I’m always looking for ways to satisfy my chocolate craving without regretting it later, and these were just the right thing. Super fudgy and delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad you like them!
Christina says
I made these and liked the way they came out. First bite on the edge was more cakey but the center was perfect!m. I think everyone needs to remember these are healthy brownies and may not be as gooey and sweet as those made with a ton of sugar and butter. This was enough to satisfy my craving for chocolate without going overboard!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Christina!
June says
Agree with other commenters, it’s like eating a bitter, airy cake. The final product looked nice but was extremely bland. The texture (as with many “healthy” brownie recipes) is more cake-like than chewy brownie.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m sorry to hear that June! We enjoy them here 🙂
Mimi says
Not the best.. i dont like the after taste and the texture. But is pretty good for a healthy recipe
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Mimi! I’m sorry you didn’t love them completely
Kristi H says
Delicious brownies! I was wondering if you can freeze these? If so, how?
Ashley Fehr says
yes, they freeze perfectly! An airtight container or a freezer bag will work great
Donna says
Followed this recipe to the “T”. Texture and flavor is off. Definitely not a favorite in my house 🙁
Ashley Fehr says
Well they are healthy brownies, not brownie brownies, so the flavor and the texture will be slightly different than a traditional brownie
Mm says
Same
Julie says
I replaced the sugar with coconut sugar and used cinnamon apple sauce and dark chocolate chips on top . The brownies paired well with vanilla frozen yogurt
Danielle says
Delicious ? I took a chance making this even though I only had cinnamon applesauce. I also had to use butter instead of coconut oil because I was all out. I did choose to use brown sugar instead of regular sugar. This recipe is great! We will definitely be making again. Thank you ?
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Danielle!
Katie says
What cocoa powder did you use? Dutch-processed or natural?
Ashley Fehr says
Natural unsweetened
Alana says
What can I use instead of applesauce?
Ashley Fehr says
You could try yogurt, but I never have
Janice says
These are great! I didn’t have applesauce, so I used cooked mashed yam. Excellent, better than applesauce (in my humble opinion). They did take longer in the oven, but my oven is like that.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Janice!
Jamie says
I love this recipe and used 1/8 cup of brown sugar & 1/8 cup of coconut sugar instead of the granulated. This makes it less processed and more natural. I am also wondering how coconut or almond flour would do but I used whole wheat flour and these turned out great!! I also used 1/2 vanilla chocolate chips and 1/2 dark chocolate chips (65%) cacao (healthier chocolate).
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks for sharing Jamie!
karla says
what are the health benefits for this brownies?
Amber says
Can you substitute cane sugar in this recipe?
Ashley Fehr says
I’ve never tried, but I’d love to hear how it goes if you do!
Chrissy says
Ok they were better cooked than the batter tasted, still needed 25 minutes cook time. Overall 6 out of 10 taste wise
Rachel @ Bakerita says
I love coconut oil brownies – it seems to make them extra fudgy! Love the applesauce in here too. They look SO good – almost like pieces of fudge. My kind of brownies!!
Ashley Fehr says
This was my first time using it! I think I’m hooked. So good! Thanks Rachel!
Sarah says
Do the chocolate chips get mixed into the batter?
Ashley Fehr says
Sorry, I’ve updated the recipe! I sprinkled them on top.
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Healthy brownies was the only thing I needed to hear!! I’m a huuuuuge sucker for fudgy brownies and these look absolutely insane, Ashley!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Healthier brownies?! Sign me up! I never make resolutions either, but just try to stick to goals…much easier for me. This looks like something that I definitely need to try. Love that you used unsweetened applesauce in here, it’s one of my sneaky tricks, too! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! It adds so much moisture and natural sweetness. I couldn’t believe how good they turned out!
Judy Thurston says
Ashlry Fehr, These look so good, that its making my mouth water. I see you use coconut oil where can i get that kind of oil? Please Respond back and let me know, can i use unsweetened apple sauce in a can?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Judy! You can definitely use unsweetened applesauce from a can. You can get coconut oil in the health foods section of any grocery store! I use the refined and then it doesn’t taste like coconut.
prema dimauro says
can another oil be used? I usually use a very light olive oil so it does not have a strong taste.
Ashley Fehr says
I use refined coconut oil so it has no coconut flavor. I’m not sure about using a liquid oil, but butter would work for sure.