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9-Ingredient Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies

These Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies are super moist and chocolatey and have no refined sugar or refined flour! 

Are you looking for chocolatey goodness in a recipe that’s perfect every time? These super moist Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies have no refined sugar and contain good-for-you applesauce!

Who doesn’t love a bite of decadent fudgy goodness?

Especially when it’s a rich and absolutely delicious bite every single time.

No refined sugar, good for you applesauce for yummy moistness, and sweet chocolate. And extra dark chocolate chips, too ← the best!

As you can tell, I love brownies.

I know – big shocker there: Lacey loves sweet, chocolatey, chewy goodness.

But, for some really annoying and unknown reason, Dustin and I could never perfect a good brownie recipe.  Our brownies would always fall short — be it too crunchy, not chocolatey, too cakey, or too dry.

This saddened me because, as we have established, I love brownies.

So, you can imagine my joy when one day,  we finally perfected this healthy dark chocolate brownie recipe. Because you know, for me it’s all about enjoying the food but also making it as good for you as can be.

I am super-thrilled to announce these brownies are absolutely amazing.  They are moist, dark chocolatey, chewy – yet crunchy – goodness.  They are everything a brownie should and aspires to be.  And, in addition to this brownie recipe being totally deliciously awesome, it’s also super easy to make.

They are literally in the oven and making your house smell like yummy goodness within less than 15 minutes.

And I am now happy.

Oh, so happy.

Overhead view of ingredients for Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies, including whole wheat flour, dark chocolate chips, eggs, applesauce, baking powder, vanilla, coconut sugar and sea salt.

Overhead view of the wet ingredients in one bowl, dry ingredients in another bowl, and a small bowl of chocolate chips, all to be combined for Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies.

TIPS FOR MAKING HEALTHY DARK CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

While these brownies are pretty easy to make and basically fail-proof, here are a few tips to making them luxuriously delicious:

  • Grease your baking dish with coconut oil before pouring the batter in, so that the brownies won’t stick
  • Don’t overmix when combining the wet and dry ingredients as you risk a dry brownie
  • The same goes for adding the dark chocolate chips; just fold them in
  • When checking for doneness, aim for a moist knife 
  • Let cool before cutting so the brownies hold their shape and don’t break up

Overhead view of bowl and whisk, mixing together the dry ingredients for Healthy Chocolate Brownies, including dark chocolate cocoa, coconut sugar, and whole wheat flour.

Overhead image of a mixing bowl containing dry ingredients, and the wet ingredients being added in for Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies.

VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN SUBSTITUTES FOR HEALTHY DARK CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

Use these vegan and vegetarian substitutes in this brownie recipe:

  • Aquafaba: Aquafaba is the liquid in which legumes (such as chickpeas and white beans) are cooked. This liquid is used as an egg substitute and also as a foaming agent. It can even be turned into a butter replacement when combined with apple cider vinegar and coconut oil, along with a few other ingredients. Three tablespoons of aquafaba will replace one egg.
  • Chia seeds: Chia seeds can work as a substitute, too. Take one tablespoon of chia seeds, place them in a bowl, and add 3 tablespoons of water. Wait 5 minutes, and you have a chia egg.
  • Unsweetened Applesauce: Yes, this recipe already calls for applesauce, but it also makes a great replacement for eggs in baked goods!

Overhead view of a glass bowl with dark chocolate chips, ready to be added to batter for Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies.

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY DARK CHOCOLATE BROWNIES GLUTEN-FREE

To make these brownies gluten-free, just replace the whole wheat pastry flour with a gluten-free flour, such as:

  • Amaranth flour
  • Arrowroot flour
  • Brown rice flour
  • Sorghum flour
  • Chickpea flour
  • Tapioca flour

Make sure to check the ingredients of the dark chocolate chips as well to ensure they are free of gluten.

Overhead view of a glass bowl containing ingredients for Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies, with the chocolate chips being folded in.

FLOUR SUBSTITUTES FOR HEALTHY DARK CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

This recipe for Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies uses whole wheat pastry flour. There are other unrefined flours that you can use. In some instances, the recipe will need additional applesauce or eggs.

  • Spelt flour can be used 1:1 as far as ratio goes. 
  • Almond flour is also a 1:1 ratio
  • Cassava flour is created from the cassava root
  • Coconut flour also works but will need extra applesauce or eggs as it absorbs more liquid

Overhead image of cooked brownies cut into squares, resting on a piece of parchment paper, ready to enjoy.

HOW TO TEST BROWNIES FOR DONENESS

Everyone has their own taste when it comes to brownie moistness. Some people prefer a brownie that is not gooey. But, every brownie lover I have ever met likes them soft and rich, and definitely not dried out.

I usually use a knife to test for doneness. When I insert the knife, I look for moist crumbs when pulled out. If you love your brownies super gooey, a little bit of moist brownie on the knife is all good.

Remember that the brownies will continue to bake a little longer after they are removed from the oven. It’s best not to overdo the baking, or they will be dry. This recipe takes 20-25 minutes to reach perfect doneness. Since every oven is different, testing them after 20 minutes is ideal. You can always put them back in for a few minutes if they are not quite done to your liking.

And don’t worry if your brownies cave a little in the middle as they cool. That just means they are wonderfully fudgy and moist in the middle.

Side view of cut up Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies, two stacked up against each other and several brownies in the background.

HOW TO STORE HEALTHY DARK CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

If you have cut the brownies into squares, store them in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. Uncut, they can be wrapped in plastic and stored on the counter for 4-5 days maximum if you want them to stay fresh. To store in the freezer, wrap in plastic and place in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Side view of a stack of 6 Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies, cooled and ready to eat.

MORE HEALTHY CHOCOLATE RECIPES

As I said, I love chocolate in just about everything! And you’ll find lots of yummy, clean-eating recipes with chocolate on my blog. Try these:

 

5 from 2 votes
Are you looking for chocolatey goodness in a recipe that’s perfect every time? These super moist Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies have no refined sugar and contain good-for-you applesauce!
Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

Are you looking for chocolatey goodness in a recipe that’s perfect every time? These super moist Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies have no refined sugar and contain good-for-you applesauce!

Categories: Dessert, Sweets
Difficulty: Easy
Keyword: dark choc brownie recipe, dark chocolate brownie recipe, dark chocolate brownies
Servings: 9 brownies
Calories: 134 kcal
Author: A Sweet Pea Chef
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt
  • 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease an 8x8-inch (2 quart) baking dish with coconut oil and set aside.

  3. In a bowl, combine the applesauce, cocoa powder, eggs, coconut sugar, and vanilla and whisk until well mixed.

  4. In a separate bowl, combine the sea salt, flour and baking powder. Slowly add the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Continue to mix until the flour is just incorporated and then stop. Try not to over-beat the mixture.

  5. Add the chocolate chips and fold in by hand.

  6. Pour the mixture into the greased pan and place in the oven on a middle shelf. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a knife inserted into the brownies comes out clean. I error on the side of not quite clean to get a more moist brownie.

  7. Let cool before cutting into 8 equal squares.

Nutrition Facts
Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies
Amount Per Serving (1 brownie)
Calories 134 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 36mg12%
Sodium 70mg3%
Potassium 188mg5%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 53IU1%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 54mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.

Lacey Baier

Hey y’all, I’m Lacey Baier and I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a healthy lifestyle influencer and the creator of this clean-eating blog and YouTube channel, A Sweet Pea Chef. My recipes have been published on Food Network, Good Morning America, FoxNews, Tastemade, Fitness Magazine, and much more. I live in Dallas, Texas with my husband and four kiddos. Let’s get started!

14 thoughts on “9-Ingredient Healthy Dark Chocolate Brownies

  1. How long do you think these brownies stay fresh once baked and do you have a storage recommendation? Thinking of shipping some. Thank you!

  2. 5 stars
    Love the recipe! I didn’t have whole wheat pastry flour, so did 50/50 regular whole wheat and all purpose flour. Also replaced sugar with monk fruit to make it sugar free and cut back to 1/3 cup of dark chocolate chips, and it’s still very chocolaty and delicious! Not too sweet either, just they way I like it.
    Thank you for the great recipe!

  3. oh I just made it finally with 1/2 cup sugar it is delicious ! love it ! thanks and for sure will make it again !

  4. planning to make this but wonder about the sweetness , if I make chocolate milk I usually do 2 tbs cocoa + 1 table spoon sugar , so here should I do 1/4 cup cocoa + 1/4 cup sugar instead of 1 cup sugar? I figured If I do 1/8 cup might not taste good … brownie should taste a bit sweeter than hot chocolate 🙂

  5. Sweets improve & strengthen the bond between two hearts with mouth
    watering taste. We should have the ability to forgive others and also should respect other’s
    feelings and emotions. Nowadays, obesity is getting worse and several people are
    troubled from diabetes, several individuals are starting to turn to sugar
    free chocolate as a favorable choice to the calories and fat
    in the normal kind.

  6. Made it today without chocolate chips. I baked 20 minutes in the oven. It was amazing!!! Best brownies ever! My kids loved it! Thanks for the great recipe:-)

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