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Secretly Healthy Zucchini Brownies Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 99 reviews
  • Author: Aiden
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12-16 brownies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Secretly Healthy Zucchini Brownies combine the rich, fudgy texture of traditional brownies with the added nutrition of finely grated zucchini. Sweetened with brown sugar and applesauce, and made with cocoa and oat flour, these brownies offer a moist, flavorful treat that sneaks in veggies in a delicious way. Optional chocolate chips or nuts add texture, and you can finish them with a luscious peanut butter and chocolate butterscotch frosting or Nutella for extra indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Ingredients:

  • 2 cups finely grated zucchini (firmly packed)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup oat flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Add-ins:

  • 1 cup chocolate chips and/or nuts

Optional Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • OR Nutella for spreading

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to ensure the brownies don’t stick after baking.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely grated zucchini, brown sugar, unsweetened applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir well until all these ingredients are evenly incorporated to form a smooth base.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the oat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
  4. Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the brownies tough.
  5. Add Optional Mix-ins: Fold in the chocolate chips and/or nuts if you’re using them, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
  6. Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter.
  7. Prepare Optional Frosting: To make the frosting, melt together the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter over low heat or in a microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently until smooth. Alternatively, spread Nutella over the cooled brownies.
  8. Frost and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before spreading the frosting or Nutella on top. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Firmly pack the grated zucchini to avoid extra moisture making the batter too runny.
  • Using oat flour adds a slightly nutty flavor and makes this recipe a bit more nutritious, but all-purpose flour works fine as a substitute.
  • If you prefer a fudgier brownie, slightly underbake by a few minutes and check frequently.
  • The optional frosting is rich; feel free to adjust quantities or skip it for a lighter dessert.
  • For a nut-free version, omit nuts and use safe chocolate chips.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: zucchini brownies, healthy brownies, low fat brownies, vegetable brownies, chocolate dessert, vegetarian dessert

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Find it online: https://tastyplatesspot.com/secretly-healthy-zucchini-brownies-recipe/