Lighter Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies

Indulge your sweet tooth guilt-free with these Lighter Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies, a healthier twist on a beloved classic! Made with wholesome ingredients like natural peanut butter, unsweetened applesauce, and whole wheat flour, these brownies are irresistibly fudgy yet lower in fat and refined sugar. A drizzle of honey adds natural sweetness, while rich cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate chips create a decadent chocolate flavor in every bite. Ready in just 30 minutes, these treats are perfect for satisfying your dessert cravings without sacrificing your health goals. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or stored for a quick snack, these brownies are a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again. Perfect for anyone seeking a lighter dessert that doesn’t skimp on flavor!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened)
• 0.5 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 0.33 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 cup whole wheat flour
• 0.33 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 cup mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the natural peanut butter, unsweetened applesauce, honey, vanilla extract, and the egg until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir together to evenly distribute everything.

Step 4

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 5

Fold the mini chocolate chips into the batter, reserving a few to sprinkle on top.

Step 6

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top.

Step 7

Bake the brownies for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (avoid overbaking to keep them fudgy).

Step 8

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the brownies to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then transfer them to a cutting board and slice into 12 squares.

Step 9

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(582.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1780.1

Total Fat 95.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 219.5mg	0%
Sodium 933.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 231.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 48.3g	0%
Total Sugars 106.2g
Protein 64.5g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 252.8mg	0%
Iron 22.1mg	0%
Potassium 2549.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.1%

Protein: 12.6%

Carbs: 45.3%