Chocolate Mint Chip Cake

How bad is it that we have have polished off two 8×8 batches of this cake in less than 48 hours?

I’m not even remotely close to exaggerating. And if it’s really so wrong, I don’t want it to be right. It’s just that good. It borders on being the perfect love child of brownies and cake. It’s lighter and crumbier than brownies, but has some dense gooey tendencies. Add in bright green mint chips and it’s absolutely heaven. Who needs Thin Mints?

They’re a spin on Mama Pea’s Double Chocolate-Single Chin Brownies. I am absolutely impressed by the lack of fat in these. Somehow one cup of applesauce makes everything right in the world. Applesauce is a new staple in the house. For just this reason. Baking with it is awesome. I think if I had used whole wheat pastry instead of all-purpose [all I had on hand], it might have yielded a denser, more brownie-like texture, but honestly I don’t care. It’s absolutely perfect as it. We keep attaching it by the little square like little piranhas. Just tonight we killed off over half of it. Not that I ever feel guilty indulging in dessert, this would be the last thing to ever invoke such feelings.

Seriously make this. Make two or three. Save yourself the trouble. I’ll just double it and put it in a 13×9 next time. It’s worthy.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go blow my nose for the 32932839024893th time. Thanks, headcold.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup mint chips

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350° and spray an 8×8 pan with cooking spray.
2. In the bowl of a mixer, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the applesauce, sugar, and vanilla.
4. Mix until thoroughly combined.
5. Fold in mint chips.
6. Pour into the prepared pan. Smooth out with the back of a spoon or knife.
7. Bake for 20-23 minutes until the edges are set and and a toothpick comes out mostly clear.
8. Allow to cool completely before digging in.
9. Watch your mind blow at how decadent, yet not so bad for you, these are.