- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup fat-free milk
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 2/3 cups hot water
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment.
- Stir flour, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, sugar, and baking powder together in a bowl. Whisk milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl; pour into flour mixture and stir with a fork until just combined into a batter. Spread the batter into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Whisk brown sugar, remaining 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and hot water together in a bowl until the sugar and cocoa dissolve; pour over the batter in the baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the top is dry and the edges have started to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 40 minutes; cool brownies slightly in pan before cutting to serve.