Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

I've been trying to find healthy alternatives to desserts lately. I've been craving chocolate a lot but trying hard to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Although I've had zucchini bread before, I've never baked with zucchini personally and was intrigued with the idea of zucchini brownies. I was very pleasantly surprised! These were very moist and chocolately, especially when warmed up. While brownies aren't ever really healthy, these are certainly a healthier alternative with whole wheat flour and no oil. Brett even compared it to a molten lava cake! I got this recipe from skinnymom.com but made some frosting to top it off with and it was delicious!

Brownies:

Ingredients
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup applesauce
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
2 cups grated zucchini (this is done by simply grating the zucchini just like you would grate cheese)
1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine eggs, vanilla, sugar, salt and applesauce in a medium bowl. Mix dry ingredients together in another bowl. Then combine the two mixtures. Add the zucchini and chocolate chips, stirring only enough to mix all ingredients together.
Pour into a greased 8x8 baking dish for 35-40 minutes. Allow to cool and top with frosting.

Frosting Ingredients
6 tbsp cocoa
1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar ( you made need more to reach the right consistency for the frosting)
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions
Melt the cocoa and the butter together in a small saucepan until its melted together. Set aside to cool. In a separate bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Add the cocoa mix. Spread over cooled brownies.

I kept these in the fridge so the frosting wouldn't be too runny. I probably would use more sugar next time in the frosting, but the thinner frosting may have helped make the brownies so moist. Either way, they were delicious! Enjoy!

Heather