This is a wonderful quick treat. It has about half the fat of the original recipe and is even better than before. I like to add chocolate chips and dried cranberries. They add great texture and flavor. Chocolate and cranberries are a tasty combination. In another version, I add lots of raisins and nuts to make a chocolate granola bar.

As always this recipe is for high altitude baking, 5,200 feet. Sea level baker may want to use one less egg.

Ingredients:

½ cup Butter
4 ounces Chocolate, Unsweetened

2 cups Sugar
½ cup Applesauce
4 Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 cup Flour
2 cups Goodies (See Note)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Grease 9″x13″ baking pan.
3. In large glass mixing bowl, melt Butter in microwave. Add Chocolate and stir until melted. You may need to microwave for an additional 30 seconds if chocolate is in big chunks.
4. Stir in Sugar.
5. Stir in Applesauce.
6. Add Eggs one at a time. Stir until shiny.
7. Stir in Vanilla.
8. Add flour and stir until just incorporated.
9. Add any Goodies and mix in.
10. Pour batter into pan and bake for 40 minutes (30 minutes convection)

Notes:

• Goodies:  may include Nuts, Chocolate Chips, Raisins, Dried Cranberries, Toffee Chips, or anything else you like.
• I make this with just a bowl and a spoon. No mixer needed.

Serves: 24 Brownies

Source: Margie Kleerup