If you’re trying to eat healthy, but you’re still craving sweet treats, this Healthier Zucchini Brownies with Easy Frosting recipe is for you. Just a few simple ingredient swaps make this delightful dessert healthier than traditional brownies, but just as delicious!
Following a healthy diet is really important to me. I’ve noticed that my son and I sleep better, have more energy, and get sick less often when we stick to a diet of veggies and unprocessed foods. That being said, we still love the occasional treat! When I bake desserts, I try to swap some of the ingredients for healthier alternatives. It’s amazing how many ingredients you can make a healthy substitute for without sacrificing taste! These Healthier Zucchini Brownies with Easy Frosting are one of my favorite guilt-free desserts.
Healthier Zucchini Brownies with Easy Frosting
Zucchini are great for adding to baked goods because of their high moisture content. Zucchini have a mild, sweet flavor that pairs very well with chocolate. These brownies are loaded with two cups of zucchini which is an outstanding source of manganese, vitamin C, and fiber. For these brownies, I used applesauce instead of vegetable oil. This is my preferred healthy baking swap. The applesauce keeps the recipe moist and it provides sweetness so I can cut down on the sugar I add. Applesauce is naturally fat-free and it has only approximately 45 calories per cup. The texture of these Zucchini Brownies is light and gooey. In short, perfection!
I topped these Zucchini Brownies off with a thin layer of easy chocolate frosting. This is my go-to frosting recipe. It’s amazing on anything from cookies to frozen yogurt. I used coconut oil in place of butter when melting the chips. It’s healthier and I love the taste of coconut with the chocolate. It only takes a few minutes to make and it’s the perfect addition.
I’ve made this recipe several times and the tray never makes it past the second day. Bake a batch up for your family; I bet they’ll never guess there’s zucchini inside!
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded zucchini
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
- Combine the zucchini, applesauce, sugar, and eggs in a large bowl. Stir to combine. Add the rest of the ingredients and keep stirring until completely combined.
- Pour mixture into pan and bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Let cool.
- For the Frosting: Melt chocolate chips, milk, and coconut oil in saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat when chips have melted. Spread on brownies.
Notes
Home Chef Tip: To make this recipe dairy free, use coconut milk in place of whole milk.
We hope you love this delicious recipe for Healthier Zucchini Brownies with Easy Frosting from SoFabFood Contributor, Gina from GinaMichele.com, as much as we do. If you enjoyed this delightful recipe, be sure to visit our Dessert Section for more like it. For daily recipe inspiration, like us on Facebook and follow us on Pinterest for more incredible dessert ideas. Enjoy!
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