New and Improved Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies

¼ cup unsweetened organic applesauce

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup dark brown sugar

12 packets organic stevia (equal to ½ cup sugar)

1/3 cup creamy organic peanut butter

½ cup mini-morsel chocolate chips

Place a wire mesh strainer in a bowl sufficiently deep to keep strainer's bottom from touching the bottom of the bowl. Add the applesauce and let it drain.

Place the oven rack in the middle position and begin heating the oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly spray the interior bottom and sides of a 7-by-11-by-1½-inch baking pan with vegetable oil. Set aside.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt until combined, about 30 seconds. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the eggs and vanilla until combined, about 15 seconds. Measure 2 tablespoons of the drained applesauce and whisk it into the egg mixture. Add both sugars, the stevia and the peanut butter; whisking until the sugar dissolves. Add the flour mixture and all but one tablespoon of the chocolate chips and, using a large rubber spatula, mix until the dry ingredients are just moistened (this batter is thick and this will take at least 1 minute).

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan; distribute the remaining chocolate chips over the top and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the center springs back when pressed. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into 16 2-by-2-inch servings.

Nutrition values per serving: 150 calories (30.2 percent from fat), 5 g fat (1.6 g saturated fat), 23 g carbohydrates, 14.2 g sugars, 0.6 g fiber, 3.2 g protein, 26 mg cholesterol, 153 mg sodium.

Don Mauer