Fat Free Zucchini Brownies

Though we were gardening novices when we planted our first garden a few springs ago, my husband and I quickly learned that zucchini is VERY easy to grow in northern Illinois. TOO easy. In fact, it's so easy to grow that everyone practically gives masses of the squash away! We had been eating zucchini every way we could think of since it had started growing in our garden, but we were growing sick of it. In a desperate search for some kind of different recipe, I found my new favorite: 

                                                 zucchini brownies!

I found a recipe for zucchini brownies online, but I modified it quite a bit to be even more healthy. My husband Dan likes that he can eat them without feeling guilty. (We both have a sweet tooth, which gets in the way of trying to eat healthy!)

So... are you ready to learn a great way to use up an overabundance of zucchini? Look no further! This recipe is fantastic!

Ingredients: 

1/2 Cup applesauce (OR use 1/2 cup mashed banana and 2 eggs)

1/2 to 3/4 cup honey, depending on how sweet you like it

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1.5 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 to 3 cups shredded zucchini (depending on how much you want to use up at once!)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13 pan. In large bowls, mix wet and dry ingredients separately, then together. Fold in the zucchini. Batter will seem thick and dry, but the zucchini will moisten it during baking. 

Spread into pan. Bake 25-30 minutes until tester comes out dry.

Mmmmm... eat and enjoy, without feeling guilty!