Preheat oven to 350°F and spray two medium (9 x 5) loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray, or four/five mini loaf pans (5 ¾ x 3 ¼ x 2 ¼.)
In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer cream the butter and the sugar until fluffy, about two minutes. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla and applesauce and mix until well combined. Add the dry ingredients stirring until just combined.
Coat the chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons flour and stir into batter. Spoon batter into prepared pans. Don't fill more than ⅔ full. Bake side-by-side for about one hour or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. (Bake 35-40 minutes for the mini loaves.)