These Low Calorie Brownies are the best fudgy brownies made without refined sugar. Who needs regular brownies when you can make these low sugar, low fat chocolate brownies!
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Check out my Sugar Free Chocolate Sorbet and my Chocolate Peanut Butter Nice Cream for more chocolate treats!
These low calorie brownies are just as amazing as traditional brownies. I've swapped out the high calorie ingredients for ingredients like unsweetened applesauce and non-fat Greek yogurt.
These brownies still pack that rich cocoa punch you love in a chocolatey brownie. The best part is you don't need a brownie mix to make a good brownie!
More delicious chocolate treats: Cool Whip Peanut Butter Cups
How Many Calories Are In Brownies?
In a traditional brownie recipe there are approximately 265 calories in one 2-inch brownie square. These low-calorie brownies are only 41 calories per serving!
More lower-calorie chocolate treats to try: Low Calorie Coconut Fudge Truffles
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This batch of brownies is the best chocolate treat!
- The simple instructions make baking this easy recipe a breeze.
- These are the best low calorie brownies perfect for you sweet tooth.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds natural sweetness without the need for extra sugar.
- Plain Non-Fat Greek Yogurt: Adds creaminess and moisture to the batter.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the brownies.
- Cocoa Powder (Unsweetened): The key ingredient for that rich chocolate flavor in brownies.
- Whole Wheat Flour (or Almond/Oat Flour): Offers a healthier alternative to traditional all-purpose flour.
- Granulated Sweetener (Swerve Granular or Monk Fruit Sweetener): This natural sweetener provides sweetness without added sugar. You can also use maple syrup or sweetener of choice.
- Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the brownies rise.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Optional: ¼ cup dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts for added texture (keep in mind that this will increase the calorie count slightly).
More easy chocolate desserts: Healthy Chocolate Mousse
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 °F and lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking pan.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the unsweetened applesauce, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, whole wheat flour, granulated sweetener, baking powder, and salt.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly.
Step 6: Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (but not wet batter).
Step 7: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Once cooled, cut the brownies into squares and enjoy!
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- For a fudgy texture, slightly under bake them. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet to avoid overmixing. This helps give a tender crumb and avoids dense brownies.
- Grease the pan lightly, or use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Allow brownies to cool in the pan for a bit before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them set and prevents them from falling apart.
Variations
- Fruit Swirl: Add a burst of natural sweetness and moisture by swirling in mashed ripe bananas or pumpkin puree.
- Citrus Zest: Grate some lemon or orange zest into the batter for a citrus kick that balances the chocolatey goodness.
- Protein: Replace some of the flour with a scoop of chocolate whey protein powder for high protein brownies.
- Espresso: Mix in a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder for a subtle coffee undertone that complements the chocolate.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Once the brownies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: To prevent the brownies from sticking together, place them on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour until they're firm. Then, you can transfer them to a container or resealable bag. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
Recipe FAQ's
Greek yogurt is thicker and has higher protein content, but regular yogurt can be used. However, the consistency might be slightly different.
Absolutely! Almond or oat flour can be great alternatives. Keep in mind that the texture and taste might vary.
More Low Calorie Recipes You'll Love
Low Calorie Brownies
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup whole wheat flour you can also use almond flour or oat flour
- ½ cup granulated sweetener I use Swerve Granular or Monk Fruit Sweetener
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the unsweetened applesauce, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, whole wheat flour, granulated sweetener, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (but not wet batter).
- Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, cut the brownies into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- For a fudgy texture, slightly under bake them. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet to avoid overmixing. This helps give a tender crumb and avoids dense brownies.
- Grease the pan lightly, or use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Allow brownies to cool in the pan for a bit before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them set and prevents them from falling apart.
- Storing: Once the brownies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: To prevent the brownies from sticking together, place them on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour until they're firm. Then, you can transfer them to a container or resealable bag. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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