"Less Guilt" Brownies

What's a party without something sweet?  "Less Guilt" Brownies would be perfect to serve for the BIG GAME this weekend!  For a "lite" version, this brownie is packed with big chocolate flavor and is nice and moist. They have a delicate texture, sort of cake like, but denser.   The original recipe called for all butter, but I experimented a bit and  liked the texture better with a mixture of both butter and oil ( a saturated and an unsaturated fat) .  If you like nuts, you can add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts to the batter...increasing the point+ value by one. Consider using a good chocolate....like Lindt in this recipe...it really does make a difference in taste.   I will be making this brownie recipe often, as it is easy, doesn't require any special ingredients, and my family loved it.   

"Less Guilt" Brownies adapted from Cuisine Lite

Servings - 16   Serving size - 1 brownie   Points plus per serving - 3 points+

Calories - 111.5,   Total Fat - 5.6g,   Carb. - 15.7g,   Protein - 1.8g,   Fiber - 0.9g

4 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped ( I used Lindt 70% dark)

1 TBS. unsalted butter

3 TBS canola oil

2 TBS. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. instant coffee granules ( I used Starbucks Via)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

3 eggs whites

2/3 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

Powdered sugar for dusting

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line the inside of an 8-inch baking pan with foil ( allowing two edges to hang over the pan to act as "handles" later).  Coat with cooking spray. 

2.  Microwave chocolate, butter, oil, cocoa powder, and instant coffee granules in a microwave safe bowl ( I used my 4 cup glass measuring cup) on High for 45 seconds.  Take out and stir.  If the chocolate is not completely melted, return to microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each time,  until it is.  ( It took me only one extra time in my microwave)  Set aside to cool slightly.  

3.  In large mixing bowl, combine the applesauce and the egg whites with a whisk.  Add the flour, granulated sugar, salt and baking powder.  Whisk to combine.  Add in chocolate mixture...whisk until all ingredients are combined.  

4.  Pour into prepared baking pan.  Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, or about 25 - 30 minutes.  Cool brownies in pan.  Lift brownies out of pan by lifting foil.  Peel foil off back and cut into 16 equal squares by making a cut in half and then in half again on one side of brownies and then repeating with the other side.  Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Enjoy!  

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