Brownies : Applesauce Brownies

Brownies Applesauce Brownies 

maxes sixteen 2 * 2 inch brownies

We start with a healthy brownie, one that's almost fat-free.. (Don't worry—decadent treats are coming.) These-are actually a hybrid: part quick bread, part brownie. Leavened with beaten egg whites, they're also guilt-free: no butter, no egg yolks, but still cakey, chewy, even a little sticky. Ice them with a light frosting, such as Brown Sugar Icing or Seven Minute Frosting.

Vegetable oil for the pan
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt 4
 large egg whites, at room temperature
3/4 cup plain applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Position the rack in the middle third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Oil an 8-inch square baking pan; set it aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
3. In a second large bowl, whisk the egg whites until foamy, about 1 minute; stir in the applesauce and vanilla until uniform and smooth. With a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula, stir the apple-sauce mixture into the flour mixture just until combined. Do not beat. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it gently to the corners.
4. Bake for 28 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes.
5. Cut the brownies into 16 squares while they're still in the pan. Carefully remove them with an offset spatula. Serve immediately, or let cool completely before covering with plastic wrap for storage at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days. The brownies can also be tightly wrapped in wax paper, sealed in a freezer-safe bag, and frozen for up to 3 months; allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.

To vary this recipe 
Whisk one or more of the following spices into the flour mixture:
1 tablespoon poppy seeds • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
and/or
Add one of the following flavorings with the vanilla:
1 tablespoon bourbon • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest • 1/2 teaspoon maple extract • 1/2 tea-spoon rum extract • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
and/or
Stir in 1/2 cup of any of the following mix-ins, or 1/2 cup any combination of the following mix-ins, with the flour mixture:
chopped dried apples • chopped pecans • chopped walnuts • crumbled gingersnap cook-ies • dried cherries • dried cranberries • granola • raisins • semisweet chocolate chips • slivered almonds • unsalted shelled sunflower seeds.