You’ll be happy to eat veggies for dessert when you taste these cakelike brownies. Zucchini is the surprise ingredient.

　　

Ingredients

serves 16, 1 brownie, 1 tablespoon whipped topping, 1/2 teaspoon chocolate syrup

　　Cooking spray

　　

Brownies

3/4 cup sugar

　　1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

　　1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

　　1/4 cup canola or corn oil

　　1 tablespoon vanilla extract

　　2 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini (about 11 ounces)

　　2 cups all-purpose flour

　　1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

　　1 teaspoon baking powder

　　1/2 teaspoon baking soda

　　1/4 teaspoon salt

　　

Topping

2 cups frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed in refrigerator

　　2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons chocolate syrup

　　2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons chopped pecans

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal baking pan with cooking spray.

　　

Step 2

In a large bowl, stir together the sugars, applesauce, oil, and vanilla until well blended. Fold in the zucchini.

　　

Step 3

In a medium bowl, stir together the remaining brownie ingredients. Stir into the sugar mixture until thoroughly combined. The batter will be very thick. Spoon into the baking pan, spreading with a rubber scraper.

　　

Step 4

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a cake tester or wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool for about 1 hour before cutting. Top each brownie with a heaping tablespoon whipped topping, 1/2 teaspoon chocolate syrup, and 1/2 teaspoon pecans.

　　

Cook’s Tip on Zucchini

Step 5

If you have a bountiful supply of fresh zucchini in the summer, shred and freeze 2-cup portions for later use, such as in this recipe. Discard the seeds first if a zucchini is extremely large.

　　

nutrition information

Step 6

(Per Serving)

　　

Step 7

Calories: 200

　　

Step 8

Total Fat: 5.0g

　　

Step 9

Saturated: 0.5g

　　

Step 10

Trans: 0.0g

　　

Step 11

Polyunsaturated: 1.5g

　　

Step 12

Monounsaturated: 3.0g

　　

Step 13

Cholesterol: 0mg

　　

Step 14

Sodium: 111mg

　　

Step 15

Carbohydrates: 36g

　　

Step 16

Fiber: 2g

　　

Step 17

Sugars: 20g

　　

Step 18

Protein: 3g

　　

Step 19

Dietary Exchanges

　　

Step 20

2 1/2 Carbohydrate

　　

Step 21

1 Fat

　　American Heart Association Quick & Easy Meals