Brownies à la mode will always be one of those desserts that feels a little extra! Warm, rich chocolate brownies topped with cold, creamy ice cream. And honestly? I never think dessert needs defending. But sometimes it is nice to enjoy a classic in a way that feels just a bit more balanced.
These Lightened Up Brownies à la Mode do exactly that. They’re still chocolatey, satisfying, and indulgent, they're just made with a few thoughtful swaps that lighten things up without sacrificing texture or flavor. Finished with a scoop of Halo Top ice cream and optional fun toppings, this dessert proves you really can have the best of both worlds.
What Makes These Brownies “Lightened Up”?
Let’s be clear: lightened up does not mean dry, boring, or “diet dessert.” These brownies are rich, fudgy, and deeply chocolate-forward, just built smarter.
Here’s how:
- Cocoa powder instead of melted chocolate
Dutch-processed cocoa powder delivers intense chocolate flavor without the added fat of chocolate bars. - Egg whites instead of whole eggs
Egg whites provide structure and lift while keeping the brownies lighter in texture. - Unsweetened applesauce
Applesauce replaces a portion of the fat, adding moisture and tenderness without heaviness. - Less butter, used intentionally
Just enough melted butter to carry flavor without weighing the brownies down. - Coconut sugar + dark brown sugar
This combination adds warmth, depth, and richness without excessive sweetness.
The result is a brownie that feels indulgent but not overwhelming. The perfect base for a classic à la mode dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Dry Ingredients
- ½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 large egg whites
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For Serving
- Halo Top ice cream, any flavor you love
Optional Toppings
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Chocolate sauce
- Maraschino cherries
How to Make Lightened Up Brownies
- Preheat the oven
- Adjust a rack to the middle position and preheat to 350°F. Prepare your baking dish.
- Mix the dry ingredients
- Whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Combine the wet ingredients
- Mix the butter and coconut sugar, then beat in the brown sugar, egg whites, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients
- Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined.
- Bake and cool
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool before slicing, or warm slightly before serving with ice cream.
Building the Perfect Lightened Up Brownie à la Mode
This is where the fun really starts.
Top a warm brownie with a scoop of Halo Top ice cream, it’s creamy, flavorful, and lighter than traditional ice cream, making it a great match for these brownies without feeling overly heavy.
From there, you can keep it simple or lean into full sundae mode with optional toppings:
- A drizzle of chocolate sauce for extra richness
- Rainbow sprinkles for a playful, nostalgic touch
- A classic maraschino cherry on top, because some things never go out of style
Lightened up doesn’t have to mean boring, and these toppings prove it.
Texture & Flavor Notes
- Fudgy but not dense
- Deep chocolate flavor from cocoa powder
- Moist crumb thanks to applesauce
- Balanced sweetness with subtle caramel notes from coconut and brown sugar
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days for a firmer texture
- Reheat individual brownies for 10–15 seconds before serving
- Freeze brownies (without ice cream or toppings) for up to 2 months
FAQ's
Not at all. They taste like real brownies, rich, chocolatey, and satisfying. The swaps simply make them feel lighter.
Yes. Whole eggs will make the brownies richer and slightly denser.
You can use mashed banana or Greek yogurt, but applesauce provides the most neutral flavor and best texture.
They land in the middle, soft, fudgy, and structured. Slightly underbake for extra fudginess.
All-purpose flour works best. Whole wheat pastry flour can be used, but expect a heartier crumb.
Halo Top is lighter than traditional ice cream but still creamy and flavorful, making it ideal for brownie à la mode.
Yes, use a plant-based butter and choose a dairy-free ice cream option.
Not at all. They’re completely optional, but they add a fun, classic sundae feel that makes this dessert extra special.
Final Thoughts
These Lightened Up Brownies à la Mode strike the perfect balance between indulgent and mindful, classic and fun. Warm brownie. Cold ice cream. Sprinkles if you want them.
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Suggested Recipes
Adapted by Mary Hatton from Perfect Light Desserts by Nick Malgieri
Lightened Up Brownie a la Mode
These Lightened Up Brownies à la Mode are rich, chocolatey, and perfectly balanced. Made with cocoa powder, egg whites, and unsweetened applesauce, they’re moist and fudgy without feeling heavy. Serve warm with a scoop of Halo Top ice cream and optional classic sundae toppings for a lighter take on a timeless dessert.
Ingredients
SPECIAL TOOLS
- 1 8-inch square baking pan
- Rubber spatula
- Hand mixer
BROWNIES
- ½ cup (1.5 ounces/42.5 grams) Dutch processed cocoa powder
- 1 cup (5 ounces/142 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (7 ounces/200 grams) coconut sugar
- ½ cup (3.5 ounces/ 99 grams) dark brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 large egg whites
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
ICE CREAM
- 2 1/4 cups Halo Top Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
TOPPINGS
- Chocolate sauce (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
- Maraschino cherries (optional)
Instructions
BROWNIES
- Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a large bowl, mix together the butter and coconut sugar with a rubber spatula. With a hand mixer, beat in the brown sugar, egg whites, applesauce and vanilla one at a time, beating until smooth after each addition.
- Stir in the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Cool in the pan on a rack for about 10 to 15 minutes before removing the brownies from the pan. Let cool completely before slicing. (If you prefer your brownies warm, heat them up in the microwave for a few seconds before serving with ice cream.)
ASSEMBLE
- Cut cooled brownies into 2-inch squares and serve with about 1/4 cup of your choice of lightened up ice cream. Top with chocolate sauce, sprinkles and a cherry if desired.
Notes
Storage: Wrap brownies in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or freeze, wrapped with plastic wrap twice. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 264Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 317mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 6gSugar: 31gProtein: 8g
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