Brownies with Applesauce

Every time I visit bakery shop I can't resist of looking at brownies. Most of the time I have the urge to buy it. But after looking at the price I decide not to buy :P Feel not worthy of spending that much for a piece of brownies :D
 

I know it is not complicated to bake brownies. Again something holding me back... After looking at the amount of butter, sugar and chocolate used in the recipes... Aiyo… very fattening hor... :D Until recently I saw very nice, moist and super yummy double chocolate brownies (Martha Stewart recipe) at Zoe, Bake for Happy Kids. This time I really can't wait any longer. I shall bake some to satisfy my craving :D When I about decide to bake I discover another version of brownies at Martha Stewart blog. I really jump up of joy as this is slightly 'healthy' version!

 

In order to achieve soft and moist cake, we used to bake with banana. In western country they used applesauce instead. The version that I found is using applesauce. Since it is not hard to prepare I decided to bake this applesauce brownies. I don't have wholewheat flour therefore I added some wheat germ into plain flour. I used the 'not so good' to eat apples for the applesauce with added sugar and cinnamon powder for more flavor.

 

I'm glad I try this recipe. It is really great!!! It is not rich buttery and heavy like ordinary brownies due to the used of applesauce. However It is still a flavorful and rich chocolatey brownies. The applesauce that used produces moist and soft cake. It added nutritious value to these brownies too! I really enjoy it especially with a cup of hot bitter coffee. My kids too enjoy these moist applesauce brownies :)

 

Adapted and slightly modified from Martha Stewart Whole-Wheat Brownies
Ingredients:
~Brownies
(A)
1 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons wheat germ
½ cup packed dark brown sugar
*I replace light brown with dark brown sugar. Although has been reduce 50% it still a bit sweet for my liking. Since I'm using sweeten homemade applesauce. Next time should use 1/3 cup instead.
*It depends on the type of chocolate used too. Do adjust the amount of sugar accordingly.

(B)
1 egg
1 ¼ cups homemade applesauce (refer below)

 

(C)
90g unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
225g semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
*Keep about 2-3 tablespoons for topping

~Applesauce
5 medium red apples (peeled, cored and cut into small pieces)
¼ cup light brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
½ cup water

Methods:
~Applesauce
1. Put everything into sauce pan and cook till boiled. Lowest the heat and cook 10-15 minutes till apples turn soft to mash (test with fork).

2. Leave to cool slightly and mash with potatoes masher or fork into paste.

3. Measure 1 ¼ cups to be used in this recipe (mine has extra ¼ cup).


~Brownies
1. Preheat oven to 180C. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish; line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides.

2. In a medium bowl, sift in flours, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Add in wheat germ and sugar. Whisk to combine.

3. In a large bowl, stir together egg and applesauce.

4. Place butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pot of simmering water; stir until melted. Stir chocolate mixture into applesauce mixture.

5. Add in flour mixture and whisk to combine. Pour into pan and top with coarsely chopped chocolate.

6. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Mine done in 20 minutes.

7. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Use parchment to lift cake from pan and cut into your desire serving size.

I'm submitting this post for this month

~Made with Love Mondays hosted by Javelin Warrior's Cookin w/ Luv


~Tea Time Treats Blogging Challenge 'Chocolate' hosted by Karen from Lavender and Lovage and Kate from What Kate Baked.

~Cook like a Star, Martha Stewart, organised by Zoe from Bake for Happy Kids, Baby Sumo from Eat your heart out and Riceball from Riceball Eats