Yummy Brownies

There must be a thousand yummy brownie recipes out there, but how many to you know of that have zero refined sugars?

This one is a keeper. I tried them today and enjoyed a bite (or two) immensely! My camera was acting up so I was not able to take a pictorial play by play while making them. However, I did change the lense and got a nice final shot of their delectableness....that is a word. I am sure of it!

Here's what you need:

Butter
2/3 cup honey
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup of while whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp of aluminum free baking powder
1/4 tsp of baking soda
1/4 tsp of salt
1/3 cup 40% or higher cacao chips (optional)
1/2 cup of unsweetend applesauce
2 tbsp of olive oil
1 large egg at room temperature
3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Butter an 8 inch square pan (you can use olive oil spray but I find it sticks...and I am no longer afraid of butter, but I am afraid of the silicone in PAM)
• Heat the honey in the microwave for about a minute (until bubbling) then add the cocoa. Stir with a fork until well combined. Let cool to room temperature.
• In a small bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cacao chips.
• In a large bowl, combine applesauce, oil, egg and vanilla. Mix until blended. Add cooled honey and cocoa mixture and whisk until smoothed. Add the flour mixture to the liquid mixture and stir well. Then scrape the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake until it looks done...okay seriously....about 23 minutes at altitude worked for me or until toothpick comes out pretty clean.
• Let cool then slice and enjoy the goodness!

Four little boys enjoyed these today and had chocolate smeared all over their faces to prove it. I wish I had a picture of their faces!! They are not as dense as sugar filled brownies but these are a very nice alternative and as a bonus my kids are not high on sugar!! Yay!

Jen