Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9" x 9" baking dish with parchment paper (on the bottom and sides), then spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

Melt the butter in the microwave, then combine with the applesauce and cocoa powder, mixing with a hand mixer until smooth.

Add the sugar, and beat until combined.

Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and incorporated.

Add the flour and salt, stirring until just combined.

Pour the brownie mixture into the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the M&M's® Red Velvet on top.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the brownies have cooked through and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

When cooked, remove from the oven, and let cool completely.

In a medium-sized bowl, whip the softened cream cheese using a hand mixer (or stand mixer.)

Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and half-and-half, mixing until smooth.

Cover and place in the refrigerator until this is needed.

Crumble up the brownies into small pieces, as shown in this post, and add 3/4 cup of the Cream Cheese Icing. Using your hands, mix the ingredients together until slightly tacky.

Use a small cookie scoop to create the brownie pops. Scoop the dough, then round the pops between your two hands using a rolling motion. Repeat this step until all the pops have been formed.

Place the pops on a greased baking sheet, and let chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours.

Once the pops have chilled, insert the cake pop sticks into them until they are firmly in place.

Dip the brownie pops into the remaining icing, and stand upright (using a styrofoam box or a special cake pop stand). Sprinkle crushed M&M's® on top of the icing, then chill in the refrigerator for an hour... then dig in!