Ingredients:
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2/3 cup organic nut butter of choice
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (substitute) or coconut sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips
• Optional: 1 cup of healthy icing
2.5 tbsp unsalted butter or ghee
2.5 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp milk of choice
¾ cup confectioners’ sugar (I use sugar-free powdered sugar)
Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking dish with parchment paper.
Combine applesauce, nut butter, and syrup in a large bowl and whisk until smooth. Add everything else and then fold in half the chocolate chips, if using. Pour batter into the baking dish and sprinkle remaining chips (and chopped nuts, if desired). Bake for 35-ish minutes until the fork comes out clean. Allow brownies to cool completely before adding topping.
For added protein & omega 3 boost, add a scoop of chocolate protein powder and chopped walnuts on top.