Applesauce Brownies
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My applesauce brownies are fudgy, moist, and full of chocolate flavor. Made with 3 key ingredients, they’re naturally vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free! Multiple frosting options.
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.
When I first tested these, I couldn’t believe how rich they turned out with just applesauce, nut butter, and cocoa. I tried both almond butter and peanut butter versions- my family was split, but I loved the slightly caramel flavor the peanut butter gave. The best part? They stayed fudgy even after a couple of days in the fridge, which made them perfect for prepping ahead.
Table of Contents
Why make my applesauce brownies
- It’s wholesome. Made without flour, eggs, oil, or dairy, and with no refined sugar, unless you choose to add it.
- Made in one bowl. So, the clean-up is done in seconds.
- Perfect with or without frosting! I think these brownies are flavorful enough as is, but if you want frosting, I’m sharing three of my tried-and-true favorites.
- Amazing texture and flavor. Oftentimes, substitutions take away from a recipe, but I actually think applesauce makes these brownies taste ten times better.
What readers are saying
★★★★★ – “Okay, these brownies are healthy, but they are so fudgy. I didn’t feel they needed any extra sweeteners.” – Lucy
★★★★★ – “I was very skeptical, but these are legit.” – Luke from Facebook
Ingredients needed
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
- 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.
Frosting ideas
These brownies are delicious on their own, but you can take them up a notch by adding a simple frosting on top. Here are some of my favorites:
- 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.
How to make applesauce brownies
Step 1- Mix. In a large bowl, stir together all of the ingredients until a smooth batter remains.
Step 2- 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 3- Cool and frost. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan completely before frosting, if desired.
Step 4- Slice. Once frosted, slice and serve.
Arman’s recipe variations
- 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
Yes, you can use mashed bananas or make my pumpkin brownies instead.
You can add extra stevia, or stir 2 to 3 tablespoons of maple syrup or sugar directly into the batter. I tested both, and they don’t affect the texture.
I tested a double batch in an 8 x 8 pan and found the brownies actually turned out fudgier because the thicker batter retained more moisture. Just increase the baking time to about 25 minutes.
Applesauce Brownies (3 Ingredients!)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup almond butter * See notes
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 serving liquid stevia optional * See notes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line a 9 x 4-inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, almond butter, cocoa powder, and sweetener of choice until a smooth batter remains.
- Transfer the brownie batter to the loaf pan and bake for 35 minutes, or until the top looks set.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan completely, before frosting, if desired.
Notes
- Almond butter sub: Any nut or seed butter works. I’ve made these with peanut butter, tahini, sunflower seed butter, and even cashew butter.
- Sweetener: I used 5 drops of liquid stevia. You can use as much or as little as you’d like.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to two weeks. They can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
More recipes using applesauce
- Applesauce cake
- Apple blondies
- Applesauce pancakes
- Applesauce oat cookies
- Or more creative brownie recipes like black bean brownies, protein brownies, vegan brownies, or sweet potato brownies next.
Originally updated August 2020
The details of how much of the ingredients would be handy to
Which is why there’s a recipe card with every post 🙂