Brownsies

I found this recipe when I was looking for something light and relatively healthy to bake. I have to admit that until this point, I had never actually made brownies before. Crazy, I know. I guess I could just never fully justify it; there is absolutely nothing redeemable in most brownie recipes. So when I found this recipe that used applesauce and only a 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup butter, I figured I should probably try it. Just for moral reasons. 

The result was a definitely more cake-like and much lighter than most typical heavy chewy brownies. Thus, the name "Brownsies." For me, I actually preferred them this way. But don't take my word for it...

Ingredients: 

- 1/4 cup butter

- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

- 1/4 cup white sugar

- 1/3 cup applesauce

- 2 beaten eggs

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1/3 cup cocoa powder

- 1/3 cup (wheat if you want to be good) flour

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Make:

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease and flour a 8-inch pan. 

Brown the butter in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and add sugar and all the wet ingredients; mix well. Mix the dry ingredients together, then add to wet mixture and mix well. 

Pour into pan and bake for 20 minutes. 

To make a simple frosting, combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Spread while brownsies are still warm.