Friday, August 27, 2010

Back to School with Better-for-you-Brownies



 Well, it was back to school for me this week. (I apologize for being derelict in my blogging. It's just that I really can't afford to quit my day job.) Back to teacher's meetings and trainings and setting up a classroom to welcome my students next week. Contrary to all of my protests about going back to work, I do like this time of year. It's a new beginning- another New Year- another January so to speak- just without the cold weather. Like a box of crayons the first time you open them, or a newly sharpened pencil. A new class with new faces and new joys and new challenges. A brand spanking new year. 

 And every New Year should have resolutions, right? Along with my long list of professional resolutions (with which I will not bore you) I have a few personal ones which I'm going to make public just to help myself stay accountable for them. They're not unreasonable- really! They are (in no particular order of importance):

  • Eat breakfast every morning.
  • Take time to pack a healthful lunch. 
  • Take a walk every day. 


So you're probably wondering where the brownies fit into the scheme of things. I was browsing through the new Woman's Day magazine at the checkout line in the grocery store and saw a bevy of bars that looked absolutely scrumptious. They were all made with whole-wheat flour and offered lower fat and sugar than my traditional recipes. So I bought the magazine to try some of them. Teachers get hungry, you know.

 Many of my colleagues are also trying to begin the new year with healthier choices, so I thought that instead of a calorie laden treat in the teacher's lounge I'd bring in these chocolaty bars. They definitely won't entirely replace the traditional gooey fudge brownie in my life, but right now they're an alternative that I can share without all the guilt!


Better-for-you-Brownies
recipe from Woman's Day, September 2010
Ingredients:
1 cup (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut up
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
4 large egg whites
1 cup white whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions:
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13 pan with nonstick foil. (Leave plenty of foil on each edge so you can lift it out later.)
  • Put the chocolate chips and the butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until butter and chocolate are melted and smooth. (It only took mine one and one-half minutes.)
  • Whisk in brown sugar, applesauce and egg whites until mixed well. Stir in flour, cocoa and salt just until blended.
  • Spread into foil lined pan. Sprinkle walnuts on top.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  • Carefully lift the sheet of brownies out by the edges of the foil and place onto a cutting board. Cut lengthwise into four strips, and then cut each strip into 6 pieces.
Per bar: 118 calories, 2 g protein, 17 g car, 1 g fiber, 6 g fat, 5 mg chol, 61 mg sodium

62 comments:

  1. This is great! I always cut back, and these are the type of recipes I try to find! Enjoy the new year:@)

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  2. These do sound like a really nice alternative to the usual high-fat, high-sugar brownies. I applaud your resolutions. You take beautiful photos, too!

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  3. I'm addicted to brownies! (I exaggerate a little bit but ...) I like to try different kinds of brownies and, your healthy recipe with applesauce and whole-wheat flour is very interesting! It's nice to have some fun without feeling guilty ;)

    Have nice week-end !

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  4. Good luck with you resolutions, these look really tasty - pictures are so cute too

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  5. What a great alternative. How can these not be good, they have chocolate chips in them. :o) Good luck in the new school year!! Enjoy your weekend!

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  6. Yes, it certainly is healthier than the regular brownies! And looks as good too! I have extended an award to you, please do drop by when you can. See you~!

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  7. Wonderful! I'm in need of a healthier brownie recipe. I used to be an 8th grade teacher, so I know how crazy this time of year can be. Thank you for taking the time to post and share this with us!

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  8. Ooh, saw those dinosaur cookie again! My daughter in law made cookies like that for her 3 year olds birthday and they were so beautiful!
    ...and delicious!

    Your brownies look so great and your presentation is fantastic. It looks like a back to school add in a women's magazine!

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  9. I saw this recipe in Women's Day and wondered about it. Thanks for trying it out and sharing your thoughts!

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  10. Great - I love things with a better calorie amount ;)

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  11. Welcome back to school! You are right, it is like a new beginning (a new January). It's going to be a fabulous year for you!

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  12. They look fabulous! Ah, school....

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  13. i love this! they look yummy and it's nice that you can feel good about serving them too. happy back to school!

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  14. Great recipe. I'm always looking for treats that are lower in fat and sugar that I can feel good about giving my kids. This one fits the bill! Thanks for sharing :o)

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  15. That just means you can eat twice as many, right?? :) It's always good to have a healthier recipe in the wings.

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  16. Wonderful new school year resolutions! Your brownies sound like a delicious, healthier, treat.

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  17. Healty brownies are just the recipe I need; thank you!

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  18. I love your new (school) year resolutions. We should all take stock of where we are right now and the simple things we can do to make our everyday life better. It's admirable that you do that for yourself.

    The healthier brownie option is a great idea. I've bargained with myself that if I eat mostly very healthy meal options, then I can splurge on dessert. So far, that's working for me. Somtimes, when I don't stick to that bargain, I still want to be able to enjoy a sweet treat that doesn't put my heart health in great jeopardy, but still offers yummy, indulgent satisfaction. =)

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  19. This is a wonderful option for brownie lovers. Thanks for sharing. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  20. It's planning week for me too. And it's true, it's a lot of work (my school is also moving to a new big location and we are doing the moving etc!) but it's also fun to work on a new beginning. My official starting day is the 13th of Sept...I will have to bookmark these brownies until then! wonderful pics!

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  21. As a fellow teacher, I agree with you and the fresh start at the beginning of the school year. There's so much potential...but also so many meetings to attend and new names to remember! Hope your year is starting out well :)

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  22. Great recipe and pictures.My kids would love these brownies in their lunch box for dessert.
    Welcome back to school!

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  23. I agree! Fall is a new start, new faces and the perfect time to turn over a new leaf!
    Great healthy brownie recipe!

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  24. These brownies look really wonderful with applesauce and wholewheat!

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  25. well, at least there are still walnuts involved! i'm surprised they're still so dense with only egg whites involved--that's awesome. :)

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  26. I think we both had brownies on the brain today! That recipe looks good -- not unreasonably low in fat, but a bit lighter than the most decadent of recipes. If I had some white whole wheat flour on hand I'd make them right now.

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  27. I love healthy alternatives to our favorite foods. It just feels better eating them. These look very delicious. I love your resolutions, definitely good ones to keep:)

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  28. Perfect timing, I'm making applesauce this week. I'll bet it keeps the brownies nice and moist. What a lovely treat for back to school lunch boxes.

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  29. Hi, I'm going to post the pepper jelly soon and will link back to your site for the full recipe. Will this be OK? Cheers!

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  30. These sound delicious and I certainly have the applesauce. But, aren't all brownies good for you? = )

    Have a great week back to school.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  31. With the applesauce thrown in these really are better for you!!

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  32. Your resolutions look great and your brownies look wonderful too with the whole wheat and applesauce. I was just looking at the jar of applesauce in my fridge and wondering how I should use it. :)

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  33. I also applaud your resolutions! How many times have I made the same? Oh, only about every day! The brownies look great! Can I eat them for breakfast and kill two birds with one stone???

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  34. What great substitues in this recipe. Now it wont be so sinful to have a couple of these bad boys! YUMMY!

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  35. Wow, I love the "better for you brownies"...they look very yummie :-)

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  36. Great recipe. Less guilt equals greater eating pleasure. The brownies look fabulous!

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  37. What a good way to start the school year! I bet these taste even better about 3:00 in the afternoon when the munchies hit.

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  38. These look perfect for lunch! Cakey and chocolatey and not too gooey! Luv ur resolutions for the school year! Good luck with them - walking everyday no matter what is an excellent one! I am trying to do the same!

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  39. It's brownie time here and these healthier brownies look just perfect, I will try these soon, thanks! Good luck with your resolutions and thanks for passing a little inspiration this way;-)

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  40. I could live on these brownies...really I could. Love the whole wheat & apple sauce additions. Also dig the "new year." My little girl starts first grade tomorrow....so excited for her!

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  41. Betty...any brownie that has at least the slight change in ingredient like applesauce for example...is spades in my book. It helps me feel less guilty about my sweet tooth ;o)

    Good luck with your patience cap and all that back to routine going on in your life ;o)

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  42. Applesauce makes a world of difference here, thanks for this fab recipe.

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  43. Happy New Year. I'm sure your colleagues will enjoy these tasty looking treats.
    Mimi

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  44. Those look delicious AND to be healthier? How fantastic!!!

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  45. These are great and from looking at the ingredients, just SO much better for you than regular brownies. Thanks for sharing the recipe! :D

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  46. I've always secretly loved the beginning of the school year too... new clothes, a fun new backpack, and a fresh box of crayons always gave me a little thrill. Now that I'm a student again, I can enjoy the adult versions of these treats. I love the idea of making resolutions for the school year... these brownies fit in perfectly!

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  47. What a wonderful idea for healthier brownies, Betty! These look just as rich and sinful as the brownies we all know and love, but I'm sure everyone you shared them with enjoyed them even more. Thanks for sharing this recipe and these beautiful photos!

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  48. I love substituting applesauce in brownies, the husband can't even tell.

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  49. my wife is back in the classroom after 16 years, she is beside herself....her first class was today. I have been helping her set up her room, and I have been busy setting up my kitchen, my girls return to school next week.....busy busy busy....sigh....but its who we are!

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  50. Thank you for all the hard work you do as a teacher. And thanks for the great and healthy brownie recipe...sounds delicious! Good luck with your goals!

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  51. Love this healthy version of brownies. All the best with your new resolutions.

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  52. These sound yummy. I'm all for healthy brownies :)

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  53. Oh, it's me again...guess what! You won my little cookbook giveaway! (remember, the one where I made you say platypus?) Anyway, you can email with your mailing info and I'll get those in the mail to ya as soon as I get a chance :)
    sporadiccook@gmail.com

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  54. Great recipe and wonderful pictures. Good luck with your resolutions and thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

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  55. The brownies look great. I'll definitely give them a try! I feel the same way about the new school year ... it's a new year and your resolutions sound great. I'm bad for skipping breakfast myself. As for the walking, I try to do that as much as I can but tend to lose my enthusiasm when the snow arrives. I invested in a treadmill to get me through the winter ;)

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  56. yum! Yes the teachers I work with love a good baked treat! I'm sure you made your coworkers day!

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  57. These look and sounds delicious. I like the use of apple sauce. I bet they were super moist! Thanks for sharing (=

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  58. Hi Betty,

    I'm trying another healthy (sort of) brownie today -- Chickpea Brownies. I'll let you know how they are. Also, I keep meaning to tell you how much I LOVE that pencil holder.

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  59. Good advice on your post and those brownies look delicious! A perfect treat!

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  60. thank you for posting this! i'm a dietitian and love to see other people champion the idea of eating healthy. a great snack for those with little ones... or those of us with a sweet tooth!

    cheers,

    *heather*

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  61. Wow, you can't even tell the difference! I actually prefer low fat brownies to the regular ones. I think they taste better too!

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  62. I am always on the look out for healthier brownies and these one with lots less butter and wholewheat flour look amazing...help me eat without the guilt. You have a nice blog...

    -Shilpa

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.

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