Friday, December 7, 2012

Brownies with Applesauce

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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.







17 comments:

  1. The Brownies look so appealing. Adding in applesauce is indeed nutritious. This is a must try!

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  2. The brownies look delicious! Applesauce is a great way to reduce fat in brownies. I also have a brownie recipe that uses applesauce. It also uses banana too. It's vegan. http://helenssugarsweetrecipes.blogspot.com/2012/08/vegan-brownies-and-fun-food-shopping-day.html

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  3. I seldom eat brownies from restaurant too, it is too sweet for me, yours recipe looks healthy with applesauce

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  4. Vivian, this is the first time i have heard of adding apple to brownies, although the americans love to add it to muffins, so i suppose its not that different. I will certainly try this, love the fact that the applesauce will lighten up the brownies so that it is not so fattening :)

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  5. Hi Vivian, your brownie looks moist! My family loves brownies so I always make it for them.. true they contain lots of butter and sugar but a treat once in a while is okay. :)

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  6. Your brownie looks really moist and sinful, its hard to believe there's applesauce in it!

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  7. Wow, these look fantastic, Vivian! So moist and rich - and very chocolatey. I'm sure they were delicious and I love the use of applesauce to keep them moist and cut down on the fat... Thank you so much for sharing!

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  8. Hi Vivian! Healthy version of brownie? Sounds good for me! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  9. What an good idea to add applesauce for moistness- thank you for entering these brilliant brownies into TTT!

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  10. Owh my...you made me craving for these at this hour...past 10pm! :)

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  11. Lovely brownies, I have not made any brownies in ages! I like it that you have made your own applesauce!

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  12. Hi Viv,

    I'm similar you too. After I started baking at home, I think it is silly too buying a slice of brownies from a shop :D

    Love your healthy version of brownies. Feeling a little guilty now after reading your post...LOL! I think I should feed my family your healthy version ones too.

    Zoe

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  13. Bookmarked this Vivian!!! I love the great texture you had for yr brownie. They looked absolutely FAB!!

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  14. I always like finding healthy brownie recipes, and this one looks great! I'll bookmark it for later.

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  15. Using applesauce is a great idea - they look absolutely delicious!

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  16. OMG they look so moist! But are they cakey or fudgey? I prefer the fudge-type brownies.

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    Replies
    1. These low fat brownies are fudge-type. Hope you enjoy having yours one. Happy baking!

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