Love creative brownie recipes? Try my black bean brownies, protein brownies, vegan brownies, or sweet potato brownies next. I’ve played around with just about every quirky ingredient you can think of, but adding applesauce to brownies is a no-brainer. Not only does it replace the need for oil, but it adds plenty of moisture and sweetness to an already decadent brownie.
Why I love this recipe
It’s a very healthy treat. There’s no added sugar, flour, eggs, oil, or dairy. Made in one bowl. So clean-up is done in seconds. Perfect with or without frosting! I think these brownies are flavorful enough as is, but of course, frosting makes everything better! Amazing texture and flavor. Oftentimes, substitutions take away from a recipe, but I actually think applesauce makes these brownies taste ten times better.
Ingredients needed
Unsweetened applesauce. Double-check that it’s completely unsweetened, as I’ve noticed some brands sneak in sugar. You can make your own if you prefer, but make sure that it’s very smooth. Almond butter OR peanut butter. I tested both and couldn’t decide which one I liked more. If you try both and have a preference, let me know! Unsweetened cocoa powder. I prefer Dutch-processed cocoa powder, but you can use dark cocoa powder for a richer, bittersweet flavor. Liquid stevia. Optional, but good if you prefer sweeter brownies. I used 5-6 drops, but you can use as much as you prefer. Alternatively, use maple syrup or white sugar.
How to make applesauce brownies
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. These brownies are delicious on their own, but you can take them up a notch by adding a simple frosting on top!
Healthy frosting. My go-to frosting, made with applesauce and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Coconut cream ganache. Microwave 1 cup of chocolate chips with 1 cup of canned coconut milk until melted, then spread over the cooled brownies. Chocolate glaze. Whisk powdered sugar with cocoa powder and thin with milk or water.
Step 1- Prep work. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line a 9×4-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Step 2- Mix. In a large bowl, stir together all of the ingredients until a smooth batter remains. Step 3- Bake. Transfer the batter mixture to the prepared baking pan and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs. Step 4- Cool and frost. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan completely before frosting, if desired.
Arman’s recipe tips
Make them nut-free. Swap the nut butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini. Experiment with mix-ins. Add semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, pecans, or coconut flakes. Enhance the brownie flavor. Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of salt.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. To freeze: Place leftover brownies in a freezer-friendly container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
More recipes using apples
Apple cinnamon muffins Applesauce cake Apple blondies Applesauce pancakes Applesauce oat cookies
Originally updated August 2020, updated and republished August 2024
