Healthier Best Brownies

¼ cup butter

½ cup white sugar

2 eggs

⅓ cup applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

⅓ cup white whole wheat flour

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder

3 tablespoons butter, softened

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan.

Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in white sugar, eggs, applesauce, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven until brownies are just set in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.

Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and confectioner s sugar in a bowl; beat until smooth. Frost brownies while they are still warm.