Skinny Choc Chunk Brownies

Brownies are on everybody's list of favourite snacks, favourite desserts etc.  I have a family recipe which I have been using for years involving a whole load of butter and eggs, which I am not too fond of. I remembered Michelle Obama advocating applesauce instead of butter in her bid to reduce obesity in America. Surfing through the internet for a healthier brownie recipe but which doesn't alter its taste too much, I came across a few using applesauce and even sour cream (instead of butter)!... interest piqued, I tried them  out but wasn't too happy with some of the ingredients. What follows is a modified combined version of a few recipes :

Ingredients (yields  16 -20 squares)

• 2 tbsps vegetable oil plus extra to oil the baking pan
• 3/4 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• ​1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar
• ​1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/2 cup low fat sour cream
• ​2 0z bitter sweet chocolate - melted
• 2 eggs
• 2 oz bitter sweet chocolate - cut into chunks
• ​2 tbsps chopped almonds

Method

1. ​Preheat oven to 350 deg F or 180 deg C. Brush a 9 inch square or 10 inch by 7 inch rectangle baking pan with oil. Line with a strip of baking paper and let it overhang on 2 sides. This will help to lift the brownie once its done.

2. Get all the ingredients ready.​

Flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa

Applesauce, sour cream, eggs, light brown sugar, melted bitter chocolate and canola oil

Chopped almonds and bitter chocolate chunks

3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda and set aside.

4. In another mixing bowl, whisk together apple sauce, brown sugar, sour cream,               melted  chocolate, eggs and oil until well combined.

5. Add the flour mixture and stir until just lightly mixed.

6.  Spread batter into the pan and sprinkle the chopped almonds and chocolate chunks. Bake until a wooden skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs -  around 30-35 minutes. Its your call here, use your own judgement.​

7. Let the brownie cool completely in the pan, Lift brownie using the paper overhang. Discard the paper and cut into squares. Enjoy guilt-free brownie squares on  their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.