Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

The batter for this healthy one-bowl brownie recipe is stirred together right in the saucepan used to melt the butter and chocolate--no mixing bowl needed and less cleanup for you. Using shredded zucchini in this healthy dessert recipe creates a tender, moist brownie with about half the amount of butter and sugar found in a classic recipe--and it's virtually undetectable in the baked brownies.

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded zucchini
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup white whole-wheat flour
  • ¾ cup chopped semisweet chocolate or chocolate chips
  • ⅔ cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped, divided (optional)