(Mostly) Healthy Zucchini Brownies

At a recent 4H meeting one fun mom brought treats for all the kids- brownies! They quickly devoured them, so I asked her about the recipe. Out of ear shot of the kiddos, she quietly admitted that they were chock full of zucchini and she had reduced the sugar and oil. That was about the time all the moms insisted on getting the recipe, and now I am sharing it with you. So you too can be the fun mom and make these delicious, healthy zucchini brownies.

These brownies are so moist due to the zucchini, applesauce, and small amount of coconut oil. There is only 1/2 cup of sugar for the entire pan, but the chocolate chip layer on top makes this still feel like a decadent dessert.

Although I would like to make all kinds of yummy sounding recipes that use up all that zucchini from the garden, the rest of my family all claim to not like zucchini. However, my kids can’t get enough of these brownies, and they even know about the zucchini hidden in them. I shredded the rest of the zucchini in my food processor and froze it in ziplock bags- I have a feeling we will be making these healthy zucchini brownies all year long!

Yield: 15

(Mostly) Healthy Zucchini Brownies

Print

No one will guess how much produce and how little sugar you put into these delicious brownies!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 28 minutes

Total Time 38 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 to 3 cups shredded zucchini
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a 9x13 glass pan with coconut oil
2. In a standing mixer combine sugar, melted coconut oil, applesauce, and flour on low speed. Add cocoa powder, mix well, then add zucchini.
3. Sprinkle salt and baking soda into the mixture and mix well.
4. Spread the batter evenly into the baking pan and sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. While the chocolate chips are still hot, use a knife or spatula to smear the chocolate in a layer over the top of the brownies.
7. Let cool ten minutes or more before cutting into the brownies.