Chocolate Chip Zucchini Brownies (Food + Words)

Tat's Chocolate Chip Zucchini Brownies

Source: Food + Words.

Yield: one 8" x 8" square pan brownies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (you can use an equal amount of vanilla bean paste if you have it)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup smooth applesauce (you can use an equal amount of vegetable oil or cooled melted butter if you want!)
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (regular pastry flour works too, or use all-purpose flour)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (i love vietnamese cinnamon)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 cups shredded zucchini (about 2 large zucchini; i washed and trimmed the ends off my zucchini, then grated it on the smallest holed-side of my box grater)
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, bittersweet, white, a combination of all three...your choice!)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, with a rack in the center of the oven.
2. Line an 8" x 8" square baking pan with a piece of parchment paper so the paper edges drape over the sides of the pan. spray the parchment and the pan with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla, sugar, applesauce (or butter or oil, if using) and salt until combined.
4. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon and cardamom. using a silicone spatula, mix until dry ingredients are dissolved and incorporated. the mixture will be on the thick side.
5. Fold in the grated zucchini so that it's uniformly mixed into the batter. 
6. Add the chocolate chips and fold in so they're incorporated well.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and tap lightly on the edge of the counter to release any air bubbles.
8. Bake the brownies at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out relatively clean. 
9. Allow the brownies to cool in the pan on a wire baking rack completely before slicing.
10. The brownies will keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
11. You can also wrap the cooled brownies in plastic wrap and store in an airtight zip-top plastic bag in the freezer for up to 4 months. to defrost, just remove however many brownies you want and allow to defrost in the fridge overnight before enjoying.