• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

101 Cooking For Two

  • Home
  • About
    • About DrDan and the Blog
    • Business Questions
    • How to Start a Food Blog – The Real Story
  • Cooking Guides
    • Guide To Cooking for Two
    • Kitchen Cheat Sheets
  • FAQs
  • Shop
  • Emails
  • Recipe Directory

You are here: Home » Dessert Recipes » Low Fat Brownies

Low Fat Brownies

November 19, 2011 - By Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan - Updated November 30, 2019 - 3 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Rich and chewy, low-fat brownie from scratch. Add lower-fat cream cheese frosting for a great combination that would be welcomed at any party. All for just under 200 calories.

brownie on tray with frosting

I don’t like mixes, so I generally cook from scratch, and this is about the same amount of work as a box, and you know what is in it.

I somewhat simplified a recipe from food.com .

I added some instant coffee to punch up the chocolate flavor and then made some cream cheese frosting with a lower fat cream cheese that is the perfect topping for the great tasting brownie.

My Rating
My rating system of a 4 out of 5 so very nice.
A higher 4. This is a five if you need a low-fat or low-calorie treat.

Pro Tips: Recipe Notes for Low Fat Brownie with Cream Cheese Frosting

Be aware that many of the “nutritional facts” on boxes of a mix are for the mix only not the added oil etc.

The Brownie

I used applesauce to replace most of the liquid and fat. I did leave some butter. It is not all fat, and a little fat really is needed for the texture. I tried several ways to get rid of it, but it needs to be there.

The dark cocoa powder is great for taste, but instant coffee is well known for busting chocolate flavor.

The Frosting

I think this adds something special. Do not use fat-free cream cheese; it is horrible. The lower fat is ok.

You can skip the frosting or just do a powder sugar and milk frosting if you want.

My suggested frosting adds 33 calories per brownie.

Nutrition

This recipe makes 16 two-inch square brownies. They are 141 calories and 1.7 gms of fat each. The frosting adds about 33 calories. So frost if you want.

Storage of the Brownies

Without the frosting. I would store at room temperature tightly covered for 3-4 days. If frosted, then refrigerate. It should freeze well for 3-4 months.

Other Easy Deserts

Easy Sugar Cookies

Easy Cheesecake Cupcakes

Berry Crisp for Two

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Mixing sugar and applesauce in bowl with mixer

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 3/4 cup sugar and 3/4 cup apple sauce. Mix well with a hand mixer. Add 2 tablespoons butter melted, two egg whites, 1 tablespoon instant coffee and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well again.

wisking cocco and flour

In a separate bowl mix 1 cup AP flour, 1/2 cup good quality dark cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well.

adding dry mix to wet with mixer

Now mix dry into the wet. Mix well but do not over mix.

adding batter to pan

Pour into a greased 8 X 8 pan.

toothpick coming out of brownie

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

mixing cream cheese frosting

While brownies are baking, combine 2 oz of reduced-fat cream cheese, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat on low with a hand mixer until mixed and then increase speed slightly and whip for 10-15 seconds. Slowly add 2/3 cup powder sugar and mix until creamy.

adding frosting to brownie

After brownies are cooled, cut into 2-inch squares and top with a generous teaspoon of frosting.

Blue ribbon
Do you want more recipes from 101 Cooking for Two? Sign up for the newsletter and get all posts delivered straight to your inbox!
Subscribe to 101 Cooking for Two

brownie on tray with frosting
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe Add to Saved Recipes Go to Saved Recipes
4 from 1 vote

Low Fat Brownies

Rich and chewy, low-fat brownie from scratch. Add lower-fat cream cheese frosting for a great combination that would be welcomed at any party. All for just under 200 calories.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time40 mins
Author: Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Course : Dessert
Cuisine : American
Servings/Adjust Amount: 16
16

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup apple sauce
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup AP flour
  • 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Frosting

  • 2 oz Reduced fat cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2/3 cup powder sugar
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 3/4 cup sugar and 3/4 cup apple sauce. Mix well with a hand mixer. Add 2 tablespoons butter melted, two egg whites, 1 tablespoon instant coffee and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well again.
  • In a separate bowl mix 1 cup AP flour, 1/2 cup good quality dark cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well.
  • Mix dry into the wet. Mix well but do not over mix.
  • Pour into a greased 8 X 8 pan.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Optional Low Fat Cream Cheese Frosting

  • While brownies are baking, combine 2 oz of reduced-fat cream cheese, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat on low with a hand mixer until mixed and then increase speed slightly and whip for 10-15 seconds. Slowly add 2/3 cup powder sugar and mix until creamy.
  • After brownies are cooled, cut into 2-inch squares and top with a generous teaspoon of frosting.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

  1. Some fat is needed to keep the texture, so don’t omit the butter.
  2. Dark cocoa powder adds more taste.
  3. The instant coffee is option but will boost the chocolate taste.
  4. The frosting is optional and adds 33 calories.
  5. Do not use fat free cream cheese.
  6. Good refigerated if frosted for 3-4 days and frozen for 3-4 months.
  7. Nutrition includes frosting.
 

Check Out Other Great Recipes

Graphic for visual directory
Make it Perfect First Time and Every TimeDon't miss out, check the full post above. Almost every recipe includes easy step by step photo instructions so you can visualize yourself cooking this recipe along with helpful tips and options.
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect
Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 88IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
 

Nutrition is generally for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.

 

All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

Editor’s Note: Originally Published November 19, 2011. Refreshed with more detailed discussion and instructions along with updated photos.
Dogs by the pond

296shares
  • 290
  • 6

Filed Under: Dessert Recipes, Low Fat Recipes

Previous Post: « Stand Mixer Peasant Bread
Next Post: Cider Brined, Herb Buttered Roasted Turkey – The Full Monty »

Reader Interactions

To Enter New Comments - Box Now Located at the Bottom of First Page of Comments. Up to 50 comments per page. To see older comments, the link is at the bottom of the comments.

Comments

  1. MD

    February 09, 2017 at 10:33 am

    I’m wondering if banana can replace the sugar for the mix? I might try that and if it works out, I’ll let you know!

    Reply
    • DrDan

      February 09, 2017 at 9:32 pm

      I have some doubts about it.
      Dan

  2. Aaron C.

    November 24, 2011 at 12:01 am

    LOW FAT BROWNIES? Looks really good, and I like brownies!
    Aaron

    Reply

************************************

Hi Guys,

Comments and questions are welcomed. Keep it polite please. See Comment Guidelines for more information on commenting or if your comment did not appear. Have a great day.

DrDan

************************************

Join the Discussion / Leave a Tip Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Holiday Giveaway graphicHi, I’m DrDan and welcome to 101 Cooking for Two, the home of great everyday recipes with easy to follow step by step photo instructions.
image of DrDanAbout DrDan | Contact

Subscribe by Email Follow Me on Pinterest Follow me on Facebook RSS subscription icon Flipbook icon

Top Recipes

  • How To Roast a Turkey Breast with Gravy
  • Oven Baked Chicken Legs
  • Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak
  • Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
  • Oven Pulled Pork from Pork Butt
  • How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
  • Old Fashion Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Footer

Sites that I work with or have had recipes featured or referenced.

Image of 16 sites logos that we have worked with or had featured recipes

graphic for recipe directory

graphic for kitchen cheat sheet

graphic for the cooking for two guide

graphic for small crockpots

Privacy Policy ·| Terms and Conditions | Contact | Based on Foodie Pro Theme |© 2019 Copyright 101 Cooking For Two. All Rights Reserved.

×
  • Recipe Directory
  • Home Page
  • About DrDan and The Blog
  • Blog Business
  • Guide To Cooking for Two
  • Kitchen Cheat Sheets
  • FAQ Food Questions

Modern Mobile Menu Social icons

  • Subscribe by Email Follow Me on Pinterest Follow me on Facebook RSS subscription icon Flipbook icon