Fudgy or cakey, who doesn't love a good brownie? But they can pack hundreds of calories in just one small square. Here's a healthier version with 50% less fat and only 150 calories, with the added deliciousness of a cream cheese swirl. Yum! (Scroll to the bottom of the post for a printable PDF version of the recipe!)

• 8 ounce package cream cheese
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Brownies:

• 1 box (~1 lb) packaged fudge brownie mix
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Nutrition Facts

• 8 ounce package cream cheese: Used reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg: Replaced with 2 egg whites to lower fat and cholesterol
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Increased to 1 teaspoon to boost flavor

Brownies:

• 1 box (~1 lb) packaged fudge brownie mix: Chose dark chocolate brownie mix to intensify chocolate flavor
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil: Replaced with unsweetened applesauce for moisture without fat
• 1/3 cup water: Decreased amount to 1/4 cup (applesauce makes brownies more moist)
• 2 large eggs: Replaced with 4 egg whites to lower fat and cholesterol
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips: Used dark chocolate chips; decreased amount to 1/4 cup and chopped into smaller pieces (size of mini chips) to improve distribution
• Added 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to boost flavor
  

• Dark chocolate brownie mix instead of regular
• Used lower-fat cream cheese
• Egg whites instead of whole eggs
• Increased vanilla extract
• Replaced oil with applesauce
• Decreased chocolate chips and chopped into smaller pieces

Chocolate and Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies (Printable PDF Version)

Makes one 13x9" pan

Ingredients

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 oz package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Brownies:

• 1 box (~1 lb) packaged dark chocolate brownie mix
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ cup water
• 4 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ cup chopped dark chocolate or mini dark/semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in remaining filling ingredients until well blended.
2. In large bowl, stir brownie mix, applesauce, water, 4 egg whites and 1 teaspoon vanilla together until well blended. Spread in pan.
3. Spoon filling mixture over brownie batter in pan. Cut through filling mixture and batter with knife or toothpick to create marbled design. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
4. Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until toothpick inserted in brownie 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For 24 brownies, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Today's post was written by Leia Kedem. Leia Kedem, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian and Nutrition & Wellness Educator covering Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion Counties. She appears weekly on WCIA-3/WCIX-49 and is a biweekly contributor to the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette. She also maintains Facebook and Twitter accounts where she regularly posts health tips and answers nutrition questions for free.