Better Brownies

No butter, eggs, white flour or white sugar - but plenty of taste! Do you love brownies but just wish they could be a little healthier for you? Fiber rich oats are more filling; heart-healthy canola oil instead of butter. Plus, the total amount of fat is reduced and applesauce added to keep the brownies moist and sweet. Pecans add healthy monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, and minerals. I believe this recipe was clipped from a Reader's Digest magazine.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1  cup rolled oats
• 1⁄2 cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup applesauce
• 1⁄3 cup canola oil
• 1⁄2 cup  vanilla  almond milk
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped pecans, toasted
• 1 1⁄3 cups  mini chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Oil an 8x8 baking pan.
3. In a food processor, blend the oats for 2 to 3 minutes until powder-fine, pulsing occasionally.
4. Transfer the oat flour to a large bowl and add the cocoa, baking powder, and salt, and whisk together.
5. In the food processor, mix together the brown sugar, applesauce, and oil; add the almond milk and vanilla extract and pulse to blend.
6. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just blended.
7. Stir in the pecans and chips.
8. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
9. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean.
10. Let cool completely.