I made these for a party and nobody knew that they were low fat!
- Carbohydrate 34.1273895833333 g
- Cholesterol 1.12 mg
- Fat 3.55959583333333 g
- Fiber 0.169687505811453 g
- Protein 5.25268125 g
- Saturated Fat 0.638788541666667 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (83g)
- Sodium 178.58078125 mg
- Sugar 33.9577020775219 g
- Trans Fat 0.254557708333334 g
- Calories 183 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat oven to 350?. Mix brownie mix, applesauce, two of the egg whites and water. Pour into 13x9-inch baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, flour and remaining egg white until well blended. Spoon over brownie batter. Cut through batter with knife several times for marble effect.
- Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs attached. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into 24 pieces.
Swapping standard cooking oil for unsweetened applesauce alters the moisture retention in a boxed brownie mix, cutting the fat content drastically while keeping the crumb tender. This substitution relies on the natural pectin in fruit purees to mimic the dense mouthfeel typically provided by triglycerides. Achieving success with modified baked goods requires careful attention to visual cues during the cooling process rather than relying on standard thermal checks.
Judging Doneness Visually
Unlike bread or sponge cakes, rich batters containing chocolate and cheese require specific physical indicators to signal a finished bake. Insert a wooden toothpick into the center of the 13x9-inch pan at the 28-minute mark. A correct bake leaves the toothpick emerging with moist, fudgy crumbs attached rather than wet batter or a completely clean surface. The edges should pull slightly away from the metal pan walls, and the cream cheese swirl on top must appear set without browning excessively on the surface.
Equipment and Baking Pans
Metal pans conduct heat more efficiently than glass or ceramic dishes, promoting a faster crust formation and even browning across the bottom of the dessert. Lining the baking vessel with parchment paper simplifies extraction, though thorough application of nonstick cooking spray works adequately when portions are sliced directly in the pan. Cool the completed squares completely on a wire rack for 45 minutes to allow the fat-free cream cheese layer to firm up before cutting into twenty-four uniform pieces with a sharp chef knife wiped clean between slices.
