Ingredients

Note: The cherries can be omitted if desired.

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup flour
Dash of salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 cup applesauce
1/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained (optional)
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
5 extra-large egg whites, room temperature

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-by-13-inch pan with vegetable spray. Set aside. Stir together cocoa, flour, salt, baking powder and the two sugars. Set aside. Blend applesauce, cherries, oil and vanilla. Pour this applesauce mixture over the cocoa mixture, stirring or beating until smooth. Set aside. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Then gently fold into mixture. Pour into pan. Bake 25-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Don't overbake. Let cool in pan before cutting into squares. Makes 24 brownies.

Nutritional information: Per 2 brownies: 179 calories; 9 percent fat; 83 percent carbohydrate and 7 percent protein. They may be used as a snack one hour before competition, or post-game.